❄❄ Let It Snow ❄❄ :: Christmas 2012 Chatter Thread

Hanley25

Hi all,
Thanks for all your lovely messages and concern regarding the car. We have decided not to claim for the DVD players. DH really doesn't want to lose his no claims.
I've finished Christmas shopping for the kids but trying to see if we can afford replacement Dvd players as well. DD is 2 so doesn't really understand what's happened but we've explained to DS who is 5 that very naughty people took them away. He's more bothered that his Toy Story 3 DVD was in there.
Getting the window fixed tomorrow so can start putting it behind us.

Own my own the decs look lovely as they are.

Definitely going to try those truffles too. I'm not a Baileys fan, do you think Dooleys (toffee vodka) would work with them?

princesskitty29

Talking of loving Christmas when you don't have children, I am planning to track Santa on Christmas Eve and there will be no-one in the house under 30 years old!

p.s. Does that make me sad??

spacecadet1

pinknfluffy28 wrote: »

I ended up wrapping a few presents last night, instead of the planned chocolate slab making. Will try & go ahead with chocolate slabs tonight, found a site which recommends wrapping each individually in foil, putting in a tin, wrapping that in a towel, and putting in the garage! Apparently they will then stay in perfect condition for upto 3 months!! sounds like a lot of hassle, but once i go back to work on monday, im going to be struggling for time off on my own, so i really want to get as much done as possible this week! To whoever was looking for minitures, morrisons had those tins in with a miniture vodka / baileys / whisky & a couple of flavoured truffles, would be great for hampers, but i felt at £4 each, they were a little expensive.

Do you wrap the chocolate directly in foil then put them in the cellophane nearer the time or do you put them in the cellophane then do all the rest? Could do with making mine soon but don't want them to ruin.

Own_My_Own

fenna wrote: »

Is there christmas issue out yet?

It sure is. It has a lovely section called We love handmade 100 ideas.:D

I have been reading it in bed for days (nights) and am still only on no 40. I keep seeing double so have to stop after about 5.:(

dropsofjupiter

MaggieMcQ wrote: »

Quick question, hopefully my fellow Christmas nuts can help

Im thinking about making a chocolate slab for my step dad who is diabetic, so does diabetic chocolate melt the same way and set the same as regular chocolate? Should I just make him a mini hamper???

Just a thought but my Dad is also a diabetic and he cannot abide the diabetic chocolate or any other "diabetic-friendly" foodstuffs. He'd rather have a small amount of real chocolate. Well a large amount really...

Own_My_Own wrote: »

Here are the Elizabeth Shaw decs that I made last night. I have some other colour combinations to do.
But before I start, do you think they are a little dull ?

I prefer plain things, but don't know if they are too plain ?

These are lovely, you have really amazing ideas you don't need to doubt yourself!

m155piggy wrote: »

Just wanted to share a super easy chocolate truffle recipe I just tried - would be great for a home made hamper!

Thank you these look really good, something else to add to the list as long as my arm of things I want to make!

LalaGomay

princesskitty29 wrote: »

Talking of loving Christmas when you don't have children, I am planning to track Santa on Christmas Eve and there will be no-one in the house under 30 years old!

Lolllll. I'm totally doing that too.

pinknfluffy28

spacecadet1 wrote: »

Do you wrap the chocolate directly in foil then put them in the cellophane nearer the time or do you put them in the cellophane then do all the rest? Could do with making mine soon but don't want them to ruin.

On my phone so cant copy & post link, but heres a breif run-down of what the site says:
melt two thirds of your chocolate, add remaining third to melted chocolate (tempering)
pour into moulds
leave to set at ROOM tempreture, to prevent any sweating of the chocolate
once completely set wrap your chocolates, individually into tin foil, making sure all the chocolate is securely covered
store in a tin (im using an old quality street tin)
wrap tin in an old, clean towel,
store in garage, or a similar cool dry place away from sunlight and damp
chocolates WILL keep fresh & perfect for upto 3 months!!!

im hoping their right cos ive got 3 slabs, 12 stirrers and six mini slabs sat "setting" on my kitchen worktop!!!
Im going to get mine out the week before xmas and try one of the mini slabs, if theyre ok i will then wrap in cellophane & package, if not...it'll be a mad dash to lidl & all hands on deck!!

Always_after_a_bargin

Finally caught up on the posts. Cant believe Christmas is getting so close. Been busy finishing our house, A two week job turned into four but at least now apart from little bits the house is now sorted. Apart from my bedroom being full of boxes hiding all the presents. Still waiting on a good price for my oldest daughter's present and Hubby's main present. I am near enough finished. I do have to pick up some gift cards for my daughter as she has discovered Hollister and I am not taking her till its January and the sales have started, 60 quid for a jumper, Nearly had a heart attack lol but she will have the cash on a gift card Christmas morning and will take her when its the sales. Bought our turkey in the week and apart from fresh stuff and picking up our Marks and Spencer order on the 23 rd December. Food is also near enough sorted. Have all the booze in and the wine rack is full.

I am ready for the elves visit December. I have been hunting high and low for some outfits for the elf on the shelf, Especially the little skirt that the girl elf wears but cant find anything, so off I went to the market today and spent 7 pound on material, bells etc and hubby is now on the sofa as I am typing making outfits for the elf. He is not happy but he is so talented when it comes to crafts. The Elf will have his own bath ( picked up in Wilko) will arrive on a steam train ( 2.99 from the works) Have own suitcase with clothes ( Thanks to my hubby), post box ( poundland) along with letters, kids Christmas advent calenders. Also have a Christmas wii game ( 3.99 Cex) I have booked my steam train tickets, Panto and now know the dates for the coke lorry so its all planned in the diary and what had to be paid for as been done. I also have the stuff here ready to make my wreath for my table and have new tablecloth and runner to go with my new colour scheme.

We may go away too for a weekend just before Christmas. If I get a good price for the main presents then I may book two days away. Not sure yet, will see how next two weeks pan out. Sorry I have babbled on. But been a while since I have popped onto the thread so wanted to say hello.

pinknfluffy28

sorry, multi-post time, but I have been asked to put together a hamper for a friends 6 year old daughter. mum said "just bits & bobs really, something different" !!! She's a real girly girl, but into nothing in particular, and im at a real loss, but dont want to let them down! I asked mum again today for some advise as to what she likes, but she just said "anything & everything", not much help really! I like to do themed hampers, so was toying with the idea of a "sparkle & shine" hamper, inc nativity dvd (theme title taken from a song on it), some glittery craft sets, glittery make up, bath products, hair products etc. Maybe a sparkly tutu??? Does that sound silly? If anyone has any other suggestions please please let me know, I have 5 weeks, a budget of £40 (which I have told her mum is far too much but she is insistant!) and no real idea where to start!!! HELP!!!

Own_My_Own

pinknfluffy28 wrote: »

sorry, multi-post time, but I have been asked to put together a hamper for a friends 6 year old daughter. mum said "just bits & bobs really, something different" !!! She's a real girly girl, but into nothing in particular, and im at a real loss, but dont want to let them down! I asked mum again today for some advise as to what she likes, but she just said "anything & everything", not much help really! I like to do themed hampers, so was toying with the idea of a "sparkle & shine" hamper, inc nativity dvd (theme title taken from a song on it), some glittery craft sets, glittery make up, bath products, hair products etc. Maybe a sparkly tutu??? Does that sound silly? If anyone has any other suggestions please please let me know, I have 5 weeks, a budget of £40 (which I have told her mum is far too much but she is insistant!) and no real idea where to start!!! HELP!!!

Owls are very popular this year. I have an owl umbrella from Primmy.

There are loads of bits you could get her.

http://www.poundland.co.uk/product-range/a-z/owl-money-bank/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Chicks-Water-Bottle-Knitted-Cover/dp/B004D3OR2W

http://direct.asda.com/ASDA-Glitter-Owl-Christmas-Decoration/001869889,default,pd.html

http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/the-pencil-case/wilko-pencil-case-felt-owl-design/invt/0318220/?htxt=SzX4uPvOjHnQ2Xw3%2FyzELfSpFnmTH6vQV0L6zKk3bX2OQGJrZGKSkfQgFuIkHFnDumTbT6xCa%2FpP%0AwDz8T0euAQ%3D%3D

http://shop.scholastic.co.uk/products/84333

http://www.flamingogifts.co.uk/Product-Deluxe_Silver_Owl_Lip_Balm-1456.cfm

http://www.flamingogifts.co.uk/Product-Owl_Bath_Set-1454.cfm

http://www.superdrug.com/princess-pink/princess-pink-shower-gel/invt/444696/&bklist=

I am sure Primmy had socks as well.

Poundland and 99p shop could have more bits in.

EDIT - Sorry I got a bit carried away.