Christmas Food - buying ahead?

kazzzyliz

Me too! i prepare everything i can on Xmas eve ,like stuffing ,veg etc all ready to cook so i can have more time with kids [although they are now teenagers] on Xmas morning plus we always have a house full come to see what they got!

starlite_2

Sujamjen wrote:

We always go out for a meal Xmas Eve (lunchtime) and a LONG WALK, come home at about 5pm - this started when our children were very small. It meant that I didn't have to cook that day and the children (who were practically walking on the ceiling from excitement) were knackered and would go to sleep at a reasonable time! For the last 10 years or so we've had a new tradition and that is we each have a useless present- totally useless to us personally (that we open when we come back on Xmas Eve) BUT it must be something that can be swapped with someone else and they WILL find it useful. For example my 22 yr old daughter loathes anything to do with sewing (the Brown Owl at brownies used to get them to mend her hems, sew buttons on etc - I didn't find out for ages can you believe) so last year she got embrodiery silks. My Sis-in-law got milk chocalate (which she is allergic to) so they swopped. I got body lotion with fake tan stuff (I have a natural tan all year round) so Sis-in-law and I did swop etc etc. Everyone happy in th end It takes a bit of planning but the whole family works on it and of course you know everyones gift except the one you are going to get. Having read this through I've made it sound much more complicated than it is - sorry! It's fun anyway - Posh, very clever Son-inlaw got a England football shirt last year, his face was a picture! Other SIL (equally clever, buta footie fan through and through) was thrilled when he got it in the end though

lol I know a few people who do this, they all search for the most awful and inappropriate gift for another and pass them around on christmas eve.
My best friends label loving teenage cousin loved her glitter wool reindeer jumper last year, heehee

Do any of you make your own crackers, and do you have any tips please?

benjacksmum

starlite wrote:

Benjacksmum - that's really sad, I can imagine xmas wouldn't be the same for them without you, are you okay now?

I'm fine now thanks, Starlite. My last test showed me to be 95% 'normal' which OH says must be better than I was before I got GBS.:o :rolleyes:

Getting very fired up for Christmas now thanks to you lot. Instead of being a Scrooge I've gone completely the other way and determined to have a jolly good Christmas making up for last year too!

If I manage to get some sort of loose menu plan together then that leaves me with more free time during the Christmas week to enjoy our time together. Don't want to make it too rigid though and will allow for spontenaeity (sp?)

Ang xx

nicki_2

Bought my first item today - a jar of Asdas own Picalilli

halloweenqueen_2

Well I don't normally buy anything until middle of december for xmas food but bought a jar of cranberry sauce on the advice on here!
If anyone is interested silverside beef is halfprice in sainsburys in those sort of vacuum packed bags, maybe someone will use it for xmas dinner as I think it can freeze.

moggins

I just wondered whether it was a good idea if when we see christmas things appearing in the shops that we post them on here. I haven't really seen christmassy things in any of the shops I go to yet and I'm itching to start getting my christmas food box started.

benjacksmum

moggins wrote:

I just wondered whether it was a good idea if when we see christmas things appearing in the shops that we post them on here. I haven't really seen christmassy things in any of the shops I go to yet and I'm itching to start getting my christmas food box started.

We own a sandwich shop and every single morning after dropping the kids off I go to Sainsbury's for the fresh salad and veg (cheaper than cash & carry or the wholesalers) and one morning in July I overheard the checkout manager explaining to a trainee that even though it sounded mad, Sainsburys actually start introducing their Christmas ranges and reorganising the aisles in August :eek: . Although I have yet to see much Christmassy stuff in, they have definitely reorganised aisles around and already have their Halloween outifts up for sale!

I'm sure things get earlier every year.

Ang xx

MrsTinks

I think so many supermarkets now have a "seasonal isle" that they replace the stuff from the previoius "season" as soon as possible with the next seasons. So as soon as Haloween is over those isles will be totally packed with x-mas. And I guess that Haloween wil make a definite showing as soon as the "back to School" seasons have lost their inital marketing appeal So one season follows the other with no breaks

hex2

It is killing me not to be stocking up - we are hoping to have moved by Christmas so have to have some restraint on what I buy! I was brought up to start shopping for it early.

Historically we always have white grape schloer for the children (have to wait for BOGOF), and christmas would not be christmas without chocolate roulade. Easy to make the day before and you can freeze it.

MrsTinks

I'm popping down the butchers this week with any luck to put in my X-mas order early that way I should know roughly how much it costs and be able to have a savings pot specifically for that