Preparing for Christmas 2011

Birdie85

Rosie1978 wrote: »

Hello - can I join in? I wanted to see what you thought of this idea and any ideas you might have?

My sister is going through a really rough time and I wanted to get her two hampers - a 'night in pamper hamper' and a 'night out hamper'.

For the night in I was thinking some smellies, wine, chocs etc and for the night out I'm going to put in some make up, a babysitting voucher, etc.

What do you think? And what do you think should be in them? I don't want to miss something obvious!

Things are tight so I'm picking up bits now!

I did this a couple of years ago for my SIL, it was all in one box but split down the middle, one half of the box was decorated with muted colours and said 'Girl's Night In' and the other half was all glittery and bold and said 'Girls' Night Out' I think for the night in I put in smellies, face mask, foot bath 'stuff', chocolates, an eye mask, fluffy socks and a DVD. For the night out I put in nail varnish, make-up, a nice looking watch (but a cheapy!), mini perfumes and a CD. She loved it, there was so much for her to dig through and she felt like she'd gotten loads but it actually didn't cost very much at all thanks to a bit of bargain spotting.

I have no idea what to do this year, she's had that hamper, a girly gardening one and a no-chocolate chocaholics hamper Going to have to trawl through the boards for inspiration!

Rosie1978

Oh I love the idea of a box split in two - if you don't mind I'll pinch that idea! Thanks!!

sibles

HI Lucy
For the travel thing when my best friend went travelling to Oz for 6 months before uni I bought him a compass, so he could find his way home!

kayandy_2

ive just got these for my little brothers xmas eve hamper to make his bath time more fun there so cute i want some now haha.. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120627760706?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

jakesbakescakes

kayandy wrote: »

ive just got these for my little brothers xmas eve hamper to make his bath time more fun there so cute i want some now haha.. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120627760706?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

Oh my, these are gorgeous! I've gone for the 12 pack! lol! a couple for the kids and some to scatter amongst my hampers. Fabulous thanks x

ponymad_3

Hope its ok for me to join your thread...Seriously thinking of Christmas now and as I have more time on my hands, not working at the moment, want to put spare time to good use.

Have decided that the special foodie hampers I make up will this year have homemade items and started foraging... so far have frozen my blackberries, going to do jelly... Have located my Sloes and starting off my Sloe Gin and Vodka...there is a glut this year. Does anyone know if you really are supposed to wait until theres a frost to pick.
Have also picked 6 lbs of Damsons today and jamming tomo!
I have also been promised baking apples so will be looking out for best recipe... somekind of chutney?
Have also hung up bunches of fresh bayleaves

More cheap ideas required!

oldtractor

I've made the mincemeat and have a xmas pud in store,bought a frozen turkey crown last week. fruit hodgekin and vodka doing nicely. sloe gin next, i pick the sloes and freeze them first. brussels growing on the veg patch. getting there slowly.

ponymad_3

oldtractor wrote: »

I've made the mincemeat and have a xmas pud in store,bought a frozen turkey crown last week. fruit hodgekin and vodka doing nicely. sloe gin next, i pick the sloes and freeze them first. brussels growing on the veg patch. getting there slowly.

Hi what is Fruit Hodgekin and Vodka?
I made some Quince Jam today... from scrumped Quinces (legally taken?!)

re the Sloes... see N*gel S*later recipe suggests you can freeze but I prefer the needle method! Its quite theraputic to sit in front of the tv stabbing!?

Think I need to find a good chutney to make... I m coming down with apples so they may have to be included

roosterbean

Hi folks, hope u don't mind me joining in - too excited reading all about ur christmas ventures not to!!

So far I've beat the squirrels and managed to store away a harvest of filberts off my tree which I will net up to put in hampers (did leave some for the squirrels!).

Yesterday and today I made balsamic pickled shallots, balsamic pickled garlic, green chilli jam and strawberry jam. Next week hoping to get cracking on the plum and ginger jam, mango chutney and red onion marmelade - oh and of course the flavoured vodkas!

I might have a bash at making chocolates if anyone has got any foolproof recipes....:o

ponymad_3

roosterbean wrote: »

Hi folks, hope u don't mind me joining in - too excited reading all about ur christmas ventures not to!!

So far I've beat the squirrels and managed to store away a harvest of filberts off my tree which I will net up to put in hampers (did leave some for the squirrels!).

Yesterday and today I made balsamic pickled shallots, balsamic pickled garlic, green chilli jam and strawberry jam. Next week hoping to get cracking on the plum and ginger jam, mango chutney and red onion marmelade - oh and of course the flavoured vodkas!

I might have a bash at making chocolates if anyone has got any foolproof recipes....:o

Hi do you feel like sharing your Red onion marmalade recipe, not thought of that and I love it... would go down well in my hampers!