So what would you do differently next Xmas?

Paulie'sGirl

Hi all,

I thought it would be a good to reflect on what we would do differently. I was thinking mainly in terms of the day itself, but the run up too would be good.

Here's mine:

I will order and collect the meat myself (OH bought the wrong joint)
I wont ever attempt to cook an important dinner in a new oven (this new oven is multifunction and seems to have a "turbo" setting!)

Hope everyone's Christmas went without a major hitch!

PGxx

Gintotmelinda

Next year I think I'll save up regularly. Even though we've not been reckless.............

Gintot

adelight

get the money saved up before november, so any last minute expenses aren't too painful

esmf73

Probably cook the turkey all the way through!!!! Despite the fact that when I tested it the juices ran perfectly clear, when I was carving it looked a bit pink. Have now turned the leftovers into 2 curries, 1 risotto and boiled up the carcass for soup.

Hopefully well cooked it will be OK. Happy Christmas to everyone xxx

Sagz_2

I won't eat so much :lipsrseal














(I've got my fingers crossed )

Fruball

I will get all the presents before December so if I am ill for most of the month, it doesn't matter as it will all be here ready.

I will make sure the house is tidy in advance as it looks like a burglary scene in here now!

Apart from those two things, I am pleased with this year's efforts as everything got delivered and I didn't have to face any queues - That was by far the best thing about this Christmas - I used to HATE doing the Xmas food shop with a vengeance. Never again!!! Also, really pleased I stuck to my budget for the kids - they are delighted with what I got them and I still have money in the bank :T

Rebelle

Well, I'll try not to set fire to the oven next year! :rotfl: Some baking paper I'd forgotten about and hadn't seen at the bottom of the cooker burst into flames when I took the chicken out, luckily it went out quickly when I splashed some water on it and dinner went off without a hitch after that - apart from burning the honey roasted carrots and parsnips to a blackened crisp after the panic of the oven fire, so hopefully will avoid that next year too!

Everything else was delicious though, went totally traditional this year with no fancy extras - just chicken (no one likes turkey), roasties, pigs in blankets, stuffing, Yorkies, gravy and cranberry sauce, followed by Xmas pudding and cream or mince pies and brandy butter, then cheeseboard. Went down well with everyone and keeping it simple kept stress to a minimum too.

Happy Christmas everyone! x

Tulip09

Wow i dont know where to start lol. Give up on extended family!! I was supposed to do Christmas dinner for 14 people and boxing day buffet lunch and obviously breakfast as they were all staying over. Lots and lots of housework done, beds & bedding borrowed, food ordered & prepared or half prepared in advance. It took me a long time of putting money away and buying bargains. I expected people to start arriving about 10am but just after i get a phone call wishing me merry Christmas etc i asked what time they were coming and they told me that they presumed it was cancelled as my pipes burst last week! They didnt think to mention it 2 days ago when i mentioned i would see them today:mad:. I then phoned my other family members to check that they were on their way and the first family had phoned them all and told them i had cancelled it due to pipes bursting. So it was Christmas dinner for 2 in my house with so much food left over i cant get it in my freezer. Buffet food for tomorrow is piled high so i guess we will pig out for the next few days, cook & freeze what we can.

The silver cloud in all this though has got to be the amount of alcohol/sweets/crisps/nuts/chocolate that is unopened in my store cupboard :T that i dont now have to share but should last me a good few months anyway.

Triker

I won't buy an organic turkey that feeds 12 to 15 when there are only 4 of us...even though it was heavily, heavily reduced in Waitrose yesterday.
Upside thats next few months sunday lunches sorted.

Tigsteroonie

Same as Frugal - I will plan Christmas a little earlier and do the shopping a little earlier, so silly things like illness don't stop us from having fun

Fruball

Tulip09 wrote: »

Wow i dont know where to start lol. Give up on extended family!! I was supposed to do Christmas dinner for 14 people and boxing day buffet lunch and obviously breakfast as they were all staying over. Lots and lots of housework done, beds & bedding borrowed, food ordered & prepared or half prepared in advance. It took me a long time of putting money away and buying bargains. I expected people to start arriving about 10am but just after i get a phone call wishing me merry Christmas etc i asked what time they were coming and they told me that they presumed it was cancelled as my pipes burst last week! They didnt think to mention it 2 days ago when i mentioned i would see them today:mad:. I then phoned my other family members to check that they were on their way and the first family had phoned them all and told them i had cancelled it due to pipes bursting. So it was Christmas dinner for 2 in my house with so much food left over i cant get it in my freezer. Buffet food for tomorrow is piled high so i guess we will pig out for the next few days, cook & freeze what we can.

The silver cloud in all this though has got to be the amount of alcohol/sweets/crisps/nuts/chocolate that is unopened in my store cupboard :T that i dont now have to share but should last me a good few months anyway.

:eek::eek::eek: OMG That is awful. I would be gutted if that were me. Poor you. Still, as you say at least you have food for weeks and lots of treats