Old Style preparations for Christmas 2012!!!!!

Soworried

Possession wrote: »

SoWorried toffee vodka couldn't be easier.
Get a bottle of cheap vodka. Either drink some so there is a space or decant into a bigger bottle (lemonade type bottle is fine), and add about 3/4 pack of wethers toffees. If you smash them up they will dissolve quicker but they are a pain to smash and could probably survive a nuclear holocaust.
Put lid in and give a shake.
Leave.
After a few days give a shake.
Repeat until dissolved.
The vodka will split into 2 layers when left but will mix when shaken.
Best served from the freezer.
Gorgeous but lethal stuff.

You can do the same with any boiled sweets - cola cubes, pineapple cubes, lemon sherberts etc etc. Some may need filtering. I believe soft liquorice and the syrup from a jar of preserved ginger is also good although I haven't tried them. I'll be doing xmas pud vodka next.

If you happen to be making chutney, the cider vinegar is usually in a very decent bottle suitable for vodka presents with a nice label and a ribbon tied round it.

Thankyou. I will add that to my list. :T

Soworried

I have just finished my christmas day menu. I think it should be a thread by it's self though. Food seperate. Never mind, here it is. :j

Christmas eve night.
Home made chunky vegetable soup served with homemade garlic bread and chilli croutons.
Followed by a mixed sliced meat and cheese board. Home made cheese straws, homemade cheese biscuits and shop bought mixed bread sticks and crackers.
Christmas morning
Home made cheese and onion muffins, filled with either smoked salmon and scrambled eggs or bacon, sausage and egg.
Christmas main lunch
Starters,
Smoked trout with watercress puree and sliced egg salad. Alternative is chicken liver and brandy pate on buttered toasts.
Main,
Beef joint cooked in an all grain mustard and honey dressing. Goose wrapped in bacon and stuffed with a home made sausagemeat and mushroom stuffing.
Cocktail sausages wrapped in streaky bacon. Yorkshire puddings made with added dried sage, Gravy, made from the meat juices, bread sauce, mint sauce, apple sauce, brussel sprouts cooked in cream, bacon and almonds. Green beans with caramilised shallots. Mashed potato with cream and black pepper, Roast potatoes in goose fat, garlic and rosemary. Boiled potatoes in saffron butter.
Balsamic roasted root vegetables.

Desserts.
Champagne and raspberry jelly, Christmas pudding with either rum or brandy sauce, lemon meringue or fruit platter.

Evening nibbles.
Dates with bacon, frosted ginger cookies, bacon and sweet potato nibbles, brie and cranberry croque monsieur, chicken satay bites, smoked salmon and cream cheese rolls, and chilli and lime sausage bites.

I still need to work on boxing day and new year as they depend on left overs and shortages really.

I would love to pinch other ideas, I mean read other peoples menus. :rotfl:

Possession

Sounds delicious. I can't offer a menu cos I have *ahem, whispers* never cooked xmas dinner. We have always been either at my parents or in-laws for dinner, and will be again this year so the menu is not under my control although we have always contributed towards it.

Soworried

Possession wrote: »

Sounds delicious. I can't offer a menu cos I have *ahem, whispers* never cooked xmas dinner. We have always been either at my parents or in-laws for dinner, and will be again this year so the menu is not under my control although we have always contributed towards it.

I half think you are lucky, half think you are missing out.

I still have to plan my table decorations as well and would love cheap or free ideas on that as well. :j

Possession

Soworried wrote: »

I half think you are lucky, half think you are missing out.

I still have to plan my table decorations as well and would love cheap or free ideas on that as well. :j

Last year I did pots of gold at the in-laws, definitely not free though and not that cheap if there are 16 of you! In the past when i've hosted new year I've done stuff like put baubles in a big glass jar, attached name tags to baubles and put them on the plates, stuff like that. Have a look on pinterest for xmas table decorations I'm sure there'll be loads of fab ideas.

Alibali

Well, normally the only thought to xmas preparations that I give prior to November, is paying my monthly voucher money to my gran.

However, this year I am on maternity leave and now have to buy presents for everyone from myself & hubby and also from our little girl (on a very tight budget). So far, I have utilised a voucher code that was on here a month or so back for the body shop and bought all close family members presents from our little girl, getting £100 worth of stuff for £50 with free delivery. I have also been keeping my eye on the argos sale etc and have most of my little girls xmas presents in too.

Popped in to our local Clintons before it closed and got lots of xmas cards for 50p a pack.

I will be keeping an eye on this thread for more ideas for xmas.

mossy

Malfiore wrote: »

I LOVE this idea! Can I ask as I am not the best at sewing...:o Do you have to use particularly thick paper to avoid tearing, or does that only happen if you are Malfiore Scissorhands!!

I would love to make these and have them hanging up (well out of the dog's reach )

Ha ha, well it's one of those, this would be a good idea but I haven't actually attempted it yet. I was thinking of using the sowing machine, but I'd need to leave reasonable gaps between each chocolate so that it doesn't get squished! I bought some really nice gold and red foil wrapping paper from Waitrose just after Christmas for 10p each so I was going to try and use that.

But there are other ways to 'wrap' the chocolate bars up. You could cut out two sheets of wrapping paper (not too thin) in a stocking shape and punch holes along the edge (not too close) and wrap ribbon through the holes, and then pop the chocolates in to them.

Or you could use some fabric. You could use any old clothes and cut out Christmas type shapes on it. When I attempt one I'll try and put a photo up.

All this talk of flavoured vodka has got me thinking of gifts, I think I might try the Christmas pudding one. Okay, I'm getting excited, I think I'm going to work out my list of homemade presents. :xmastree:

Possession

Homemade gift ideas:
Chocolate drops
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/502631/homemade-chocolate-drops
Chocolate truffle egg box
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2066659/chocolate-truffle-egg-box
Double chocolate almond biscotti
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4988/double-chocolate-almond-biscotti
Pickled pears
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1302/pickled-pears
Gingerbread men tags
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/68611/double-ginger-gingerbread-men
peppermint lollipops
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/502634/peppermint-lollipops

Reindeer Christmas cakes
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/reindeer_christmas_10412
Sea salt chocolate snaps
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/sea_salt_chocolate_snaps_81237

Christmas Pudding Cake pops
http://blog.maisoncupcake.com/CHristmas-pudding-cake-pops/
Cranberry and orange vodka
http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/cranberry-and-orange-vodka
Winter chocolate bark
http://www.deliciousmagazine.co.uk/recipes/winter-bark
Pistachio & Cranberry Chocolate Bark
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/pistachio-cherry-chocolate-bark-holiday
Caramel crunch
http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/caramel-crunch-holiday-gifts-recipes

Salted peanut squares
http://www.midwestliving.com/recipe/candy/salted-peanut-squares
sugar coated pecans
http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/2337/sugar-coated-pecans.aspx

Turkish delight vodka
http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/17147/turkish-delight-vodka.aspx
Oaty choc chip cookies in a jar
http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/19037/oaty-chocolate-chip-cookies-gift-in-a-jar.aspx
best ever nut brittle
http://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/easy-food-gifts/12
Festive chocolate bark
[FONT=&quot]http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/christmas-recipes/gifts-from-the-kitchen/festive-chocolate-bark-684248/
[/FONT] Chocolate spoons
http://frugalliving.about.com/od/doityourself/ht/Chocolate_Spoon.htm
Butterscotch candy
http://baking.about.com/od/candy/r/butterscotchhea.htm
Sugared nuts
http://baking.about.com/od/piesandfruiteddesserts/r/sugaredpecans.htm
Pomegranate vodka
http://familyspice.com/recipes/recipe/?recipe_id=106
Salted white chocolate with rosemary
http://comfortbites.blogspot.co.uk/2011/02/guest-post-by-christine-thompson-of.html
Christmas pudding vodka
http://www.ivillage.co.uk/christmas-pudding-vodka/60473
Apricot and white choc granite slice
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/22750/apricot+and+white+chocolate+granita+slice
Almond, cherry & aniseed cantucini
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/14735/almond+dried+cherry+and+aniseed+cantuccini
lebkuchen
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/25243/lebkuchen
mini gingerbread houses
http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/28531/mini+gingerbread+houses

Strawberry vodka
http://www.cottagesmallholder.com/irenes-strawberry-liqueur-recipe-750/
White chocolate, strawberry and cranberry rocky road
http://technicolorkitcheninenglish.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/white-chocolate-cranberry-and.html
Peanut butter reindeer cookies
http://buddingbaketress.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/peanut-butter-reindeer-cookies.html
Fig bars
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bettycrockerrecipes/6550808809/in/photostream
Sweet swirl marshmallows
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bettycrockerrecipes/5297308432/in/photostream
Luxury mincemeat biscuits
http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/5897/luxury-mincemeat-biscuits.aspx#
Christmas Pudding rice krispie cakes
http://www.engagetoday.org.uk/playtime/crafts/christmas-crafts/christmas-pudding-crispy-cakes

Ginger & cinnamon stained glass cookies
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/ginger_and_cinnamon_70538
Dan Lepard’s orange and pistachio stollen bars
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2011/dec/02/christmas-party-recipes-dan-lepard?newsfeed=true

Ultimate 3 layer peppermint bark
http://orangette.blogspot.co.uk/2008/12/look-at-that.html
Nigella’s Christmas puddini bombs
http://www.styleathome.com/food-and-entertaining/recipes/recipe-nigella-s-christmas-puddini-bonbons/a/18992/

Soworried

That is my reading for tomorrow possession. :j:rotfl: x

mossy

I'm so excited :rudolf: and I just can't hide it!!

These are some of the gifts I'm going to make:

Pencil roll (I'm going to use some old jeans)
http://mypoppet.blogspot.co.uk/2009/09/10-minute-pencil-roll-tutorial.html

Super hero base kit (Going to look for cheap sheets, maybe charity shop, also might look for wind up torch in £stretchers etc).
http://momsbyheart.net/13-gift-any-kid-would-love/

Hot chocolate mix (Bought some lovely glass jars from a trade show that would be perfect).
http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chocolate-recipes/epic-hot-chocolate

Retro sweet jars (for brother in-laws, have a new sweet shop in town with lots of retro sweets, cheaper than buying ones made up in shops, I noticed M&S doing something like them last year).
http://www.mycandyshop.co.uk/sweet-jars/199-retro-sweet-jar.html

Fabric book marks (using up old clothes/pretty materials) I made these for teachers this year, would put a piece of card in to make them a bit stiffer next time. http://www.skiptomylou.org/2011/04/22/beautiful-handmade-bookmarks-teacher-appreciation/

Finger print heart keyring (with DD's finger print (maybe mine as well) for my mum)
http://kimboscrafts.blogspot.co.uk/2010/06/fingerprint-pendants.html

Felted hen egg cosy (for the MIL who has chickens)
http://www.channel4.com/4homes/how-to/crafts/how-to-make-an-egg-cosy

Christmas Pudding Vodka (for some friends and DH)
http://www.notquitenigella.com/2007/12/02/christmas-pudding-vodka/

I like the idea of the Turkish delight vodka Possession, I wonder if the MIL would like that?! Might keep her off my back if she's trollied. :rotfl: :A


Felt necklace (for my little niece, the one on the front cover of this book).
http://www.amazon.com/Green-Crafts-Children-Emma-Hardy/dp/1906094667

Mini gingerbread houses (could make up ingredients and instructions for people to make themselves, or make and decorate them as gifts). I increase the size of these a bit and made them for DD's Christmas party for her and her friends to decorate, but they are cute cup size too!
http://www.notmartha.org/archives/2009/12/18/a-gingerbread-house-that-perches-on-the-rim-of-your-mug/

Milk Chocolate Nutella Truffles (these may not make it as gifts if I eat them all!!)
http://www.slowcookingkitchen.com/2012/04/milk-chocolate-nutella-truffles.html

Personalised mugs (put a message, or drink preference, i.e. tea with two etc, super cheap!).
http://thephobia.com/post/3750781935/pride-prejudice-is-my-all-time-favorite-book

Garden markers (we made vegetable ones on pebbles for one of DD's teachers, great gift for a gardener).
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_EsrRVgKJIbc/SI4tnd51R7I/AAAAAAAACvM/wPwDAkGy7iA/s1600-h/100_5851_00.jpg

Snowman kit (if you get snow, we did until I bought a sledge this year which put pay to the snow fall!! )
http://somethingtodo-jamie.blogspot.co.uk/2009/12/handmade-gift-1.html

Hot chocolate spoons
http://abeautifulmess.typepad.com/my_weblog/2011/12/hot-chocolate-spoons-.html

Plus chocolate sweets stitched paper stockings
Cake in a cup mix
And other things I have on my pinterest gift page, or that I come across. I suspect in the next couple of months pinterest will be awash with fab gift ideas!!

Also for those on a mega tight budget and/or want something really special to do together, I absolutely love this idea and will be doing it this year: Count down to Christmas, basically you wrap up 24 books that you already own and pick one to open each night and read with your ickle ones. Here's the ladies blog with pics etc.
http://katherinemariephotography.com/blog/archives/3773

:xmastree: HAPPY NOT LONG TILL CHRISTMAS!! :xmastree: