Old Style preparations for Christmas 2012!!!!!

Gettingtherequickly

meg72 wrote: »

I was just wondering if anyone has started their Christmas food shop yet?

Oh yes! Have got some Pringles which were on bogof, so that is sorted!

short_bird

meg72 wrote: »

I was just wondering if anyone has started their Christmas food shop yet?
I usually start about now putting the odd can or reduced bits into
Christmas stash.
Got reduced jars of cranberry sauce 20p, jar mustard 10p, stuffing 10p and a lovely 2kg Gammon joint reduced to 2.00 and still have tin of Salmon and tin of Ham from last year.
Does anyone else do this?

Yes but a vegetarian version:D

During the Festive Season and the weeks after, I keep an eye on what hasn't been used as well.
What did we buy that we were going to eat and didn't use?
How many things are bought just in case somebody wants it with their meal and then they either don't turn up or have new, self imposed, dietary restrictions and can't eat it any more?
Or you leave or lose it in the fridge:o
Or is there something you always buy because it's supposed to be on a buffet table or there for the Xmas meal and then never use it?

Possession

Got my DotCom stuff today and it's fab. Can't believe I got all those goodies for so little money. I now have my sister's birthday present, all stocking fillers and party bag stuff for both kids for next year - the very cheap stickers were particularly good for this, they're huge and impressive looking. So DD has stickers, rubbers and a pink polka dot unbrella for her party bags and DS has venus fly traps in a tin. Superb.

Wee_Pilsbury

keza wrote: »

im a shocker for buying xmas hampers from the christmas savings fairy mostly for the nostalgia of my mum getting a food hamper every year when i was younger. my DH doesnt approve and i know it costs over the odds but i have done it again this year! :o

I really understand why you do this - nostalgia is quite a draw. I'm not sure I can remember everything that was in the hampers me old mum got but I do remember there was always a tin of Ye Olde Oak Ham in one of those triangular but rounded tins . Ah the memories!

Got my visit to Card Factory in at lunch time today so that's all my Christmas cards in for this year and it cost me a measly £1 :rudolf:

meme30

Short-bird:- I know what you mean about looking at what we actually eat instead of just buying everything. Now there is just DH and I we use a lot less cheese/pickles/pate etc. It took me a couple of Christmases to work it out! Last year I did not bother with a Christmas cake because there was only us and we really missed it! I think I just need to make a smaller one, probably should think that way about a lot of the food items I buy.

I used to buy hampers when we were first married, I like the idea of opening a box that you have collected in, and remembering all the stuff. I bought some boxes of T*c crackers from Appr*ved food that are out of date May '12. Still have shrink wrapper on, will they be ok at Christmas?

nat21luv

Yay thread made it to the weekly email :j

Phoolgrrrl

Got cards and paper in Jan sales. Also got sets in boots, and at the next and m and s outlets.

Got 2 craft kits at The Works, started making them a few weeks ago. Should have got more as they were very cheap and they don't have them in anymore! Have made 3 Christmas felts toys and have a pom pom kit too. Might just get more wool and wobbly eyes for pom poms if they turn out well.

Will hopefully make chutney this year, as well as usual cake, pudding and shortbread. Cake and pudding are normally done October time.

adelight

Butterfly_Brain wrote: »

I will definitely make more pots of gold again this year, because they went down a storm with everyone last year ( I forgot to take photos of mine but this is the sort of thing that I mean)
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr261/CT19720/PotsofGold.jpg
http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr261/CT19720/PotsofGold1.jpg
DD wants to do them for her friends this year too. I always do the kids a stocking but now that they are older I usually fill them with joke gifts, socks and smellies.

That's an amazing idea!! What do you usually use them for? Put them in hampers? On the table like crackers? Or just small gifts for people?
I saw http://www.dotcomgiftshop.com/tea-light-holder-zinc-heart-flowers?all=1&ptid=%2C5187&ctid=5697&pos=14 in the sale and thought they would be great for putting stuff in but couldn't think what. My only idea was buying a few packs of diff coloured/scented tea lights and repackaging them into stacks with string/cellophane and putting a few candy canes in. I will definitely put a scratch card in too

I will have to ask one of my relatives about getting a huge bulk roll of clear cellophane. It would last for years but really good value.

nomi01

Hi, I have been peeking at this thread for a few weeks now. I really wanted to be prepared for xmas this year. I usually start preparations at the end of september, after my twins birthday, but I am due to graduate from uni in sept and havent got a job lined up yet so I am desperately trying to prepare for winter and xmas.
I have got a few pressies in, and am working on the stockpile of general essentials. But after reading recent posts, I think i,m gonna start an xmas hamper too. Its nice to have a few luxuries and bice nibbles in.
I got all new xmas decorations last year so dont need to buy any of that.
I always save gift bags so hoping not to have to buy too much wrapping paper. Not sending cards this year.
I want to make some mincemeat for mincepies and will make an xmas cake.
Waiting for blackberries to ripen to I can make vodka.
Feeling inspired

Possession

Funnily enough my DD asked me if we were making Pots of Gold this year just this morning. Last year we made for table decorations/placenames at MIL's house but this year we will likely be at my mum's and she doesn't go in for such frippery! So I was hoping not to make them but it seems my DD might think otherwise.