Old style Preparations for Christmas 2011!!

splodger_seedswapper

i am going to run off and hide somewhere after submitting this post :rotfl:

i don't suppose there is a preparing for no xmas thread anywhere is there?

i shudder at the thought of it (especially in sept)

as far as i am concerned i save money by not being sucked into the commercial hype that xmas evokes - i don't give presents and i don't send cards - although i have been known to deliver bags of manure to people in december (so that they might feed their roses)

so that'll be a bah humbug from splodger (who is now running to hide in greenfingers forum :rotfl:)

MandM90

I've had a look at some of the spirits ideas but not sure what to make. Mars Bars vodka sounds intruiging, also heard of Skittles vodka and chilli vodka; has anyone tried any of these? I'm going to make some chutneys, chilli jam etc but many of my friends are students and very young so I think something liquid might be better received

Well_Preserved

Phoolgrrl - it's a bit difficult to say what might be cheap for you; what kind of ingredients did you want to use for chutney making? I mean, have you got any ingredients like apples, marrow etc available at low or no cost? 'Cos that would obviously reduce the overall cost. I've got quite a lot of recipes in books if you can give me a bit more to go on.

Also you don't necessarily need to buy new Kilner jars. With chutney you could use recycled jars so long as the lids are vinegar-proof. Well-sterilised coffee jars aren't bad. Not everyone likes to use recycled but you could always make a topper from Christmas fabric or even wrapping paper if you wanted to disguise them.

mummygems

Molly41 wrote: »

I didnt get anything in the sales last year as I was just out of hospital and on bed rest so really need to be super organised this year. I will be going to C0stc0 to suss out the wrapping paper and other bits but will not be doing card except to my family :T

Not sure if it will help or not but I went to Costco on Monday and between me and the MIL we got 150 sheets of wrapping paper (15 different designs I think) for £12. They had lots of different ones but I thought this was the best offer (andeven better when you can split it with someone). This lot of paper will do me this year and probably next (and maybe even the year after lol).

Evie74_2

Ooooohhh! I love love LOVE Christmas!! What a great thread - definitely subscribing to this one!:j

I started my Xmas shopping a few months ago - stocking fillers for the DDs essentially, to spread the cost a bit, and a couple of family gifts that will keep. I bought wrapping paper and cards in the January sales so they are stashed in the loft, along with tags (recycled from old cards - I've done this since I was a child and I'm not stopping now!).

I usually make up a hamper with HM preserves and sweeties for family, but this year I thought I'd try and do some herb pots as well with cuttings from my very prolific rosemary and sage. The hampers are always well received (or at least nobody has been rude enough to complain!) and supplement a smaller "bought" present quite nicely.

Soon be time to get the Xmas cookery books out (I have a terrible weakness for buying them... we all need a vice!) and start planning.

Evie (feeling slightly prematurely festive!):santa2:

karen_is_trying

OOOOOOOO when will the 3 for 2 toys start the quality street are in the shops surely grab us into shops for cheap toys !! then the boots xmas catalogue we are on the right road then x

squeaky

poppett wrote: »

Can someone point me in the direction of how to make mars bar vodka please????

I think it's mentioned in one of these threads...

Make your own Christmas booze

Flavoured vodka

tootoo

Oh lovely thread - subscribed!

Eenymeeny

I find that if I make a comment on a thread I'm automatically subscribed. Don't know if it's just something in my settings though!

Tink_04

EEEKKKKK i love xmas!!!! ive been getting ready for a while now - got some savings for big stuff but got all my cards and wrap in the sales in Jan (prob enough for next xmas too) got a few little bits in. Think i need to start list making soon but will get my holiday out the way first. Love the grabbit board as have got some bargin presents on there!!!