Preparing for Christmas 2011

BloomingTasty

Roosterbean - please can you tell me how to do the shallots and garlic in balsamic please. My parents would love them, so would I for that matter!

CupcakeLisa

i started preparing for xmas this week....started making gift tags, not much but its something. trying to decide what to make for my hampers.....

i also decided im not buying selection boxes, i normally have a few to buy so this year im buying multi packs of sweets and wrapping a selection of sweets in cellophane with some xmas ribbon. what you think?

roosterbean

Hi Ponymad and Eljacock - I work Fridays and Saturdays so I'm a bit tired at the moment and housework still to do - but tomorrow I will put the two recipes on for you and I hope you like them

Had a bit of a setback today, had ordered a dvd for the OH as a stocking filler but it was delivered today when I was at work and he opened it - back to the drawing board!

lazysheep

I think I'm about halfway through buying everything for xmas. Thankfully I have ideas for most people already sorted so the delay is actually trying to find the best prices so I can save money. Looking at my spreadsheet (yes I am that sad! )I've saved just under £30 so far so I'm a happy bunny

People I have to buy for:
Mum & Dad - mostly done
Sister & Fiance - planned but not bought yet
OH - planned some and bought a bit
Friends x 2 + kids x 4 (ages 14-1.5) - planned and started buying
OH sister & bf (leaving these to my OH, they're his family and I have no idea what to get them, plus I'm sorting everyone else so it's only fair!)

roosterbean

For Ponymad and Eljaycock:

http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/514587

and

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1404/red-onion-marmalade

Today, I managed to make my plum and ginger jam which was a hit with the boys. OH came back from Asda with a massive joint of pork which I've put in the freezer for a xmas family gathering meal. Also got my xmas wrapping paper from the 99p shop - 10 metres for the obvious price !

Lazysheep, thank god I'm not the only one to make spreadsheets - its the only thing that stops me from going overboard some years.

mum2one

CupcakeLisa wrote: »

i started preparing for xmas this week....started making gift tags, not much but its something. trying to decide what to make for my hampers.....

i also decided im not buying selection boxes, i normally have a few to buy so this year im buying multi packs of sweets and wrapping a selection of sweets in cellophane with some xmas ribbon. what you think?

def agree re not buying selection boxes, as most are small size chocs etc in them, and with cello wrap ur get great value for money.

I brought some whilst for DD's party bags, they were already made up got them in Tavistock market, I paid £1 bag, and it was bursting, thou DD had to have 3 extra bags to sample!! her excuse quality control.

I did some last yr myself, used 10p mix items (tesco there 11 for 10), found local sweet shop, got things like popping candy, rainbow drops etc. I did choc bar based for Uncle, and for my GP, off DD, I did a pick and mix of kids sweets, as he grew up in India, so did as a "English childs pix + mix", he was absolutely over the moon, both from the fact that he had been given a present, and also the effort gone into it, he soon demolished the sweets.

Roosterbean - Spreadsheets - couldn't live without them for getting organised for xmas presents, bday presents, budgets for xmas, and even nearer xmas spreadsheet for extras purchased and where they've been stored xx

yabajaz

lala1974 wrote: »

Daughters Birthday Hamper!

http://s1181.photobucket.com/albums/x437/lala1974/

A warm up for the Christmas hampers!

Please could you tell me where you got the 'Blueberry' stuff from - it'd be great for my best friend
thanks
:T

Jd1983

Well I'm finally up to date with the thread!!

We've been buying bits and pieces for Christmas forthe past couple of months as and when we see them.

Savngs wise we are putting asde £40 pm ... From what we've budgeted per person it should give us plenty. Especially since we've managed to get a few pressies cheaper than expected.

Also save £8 pm in morrisons stamps each month so the the card will be filled by dec.

It going to great this year as is my sons first Xmas (born feb 14th!!). Not sure how we're going to fit all the visiting in though!!!

lazysheep

yabajaz wrote: »

Please could you tell me where you got the 'Blueberry' stuff from - it'd be great for my best friend
thanks
:T

The make is n-spa and I know i've seen it on sale in my local Asda with the bath bubbles and shower gels. They have quite a few nice smelling things mmmm

And I'm so glad I'm not the only one that has spreadsheets! I think my OH thinks I'm mad but that's only cos he hasn't noticed that his pressies are listed on there too otherwise I'm sure he would be a lot more interested ha ha!

yabajaz

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

ahh - so funny.... clicked onto your link ..... only to find them in my 'watched items' love the halloween and wedding ones too.