Old Style preparations for Christmas 2012!!!!!

smelkel87

chirpychick wrote: »

Do you guys think it would be unwise of me to put off having people visit when the baby is born, give me and hubby time to bond with baby ourselves but then have an open house for an afternoon when he is about 2 weeks old when the tree is up, hubby will be home, gets people all done in one day. Hubby can make endless cups of tea, mince pies and apple pies.
Or perhaps it is a completely mad idea? I don't know, lol I haven't ever had a baby before.
But I think it might be nice because we can give them their christmas presents (saving on postage & petrol) it gets all guests done and out the way, hubby will be here to help and it will be festive which is nice.

oooh and I have finally decided on a name... hubby says he likes it, I just now need to convince him he likes it enough...we are having a 4d scan today which was a present and i cannot wait!

Hi chirpy chick, i have just had my first baby too, well 7 weeks ago.. I was going to wait a couple of weeks before allowing visitors but decided to just give it a couple of days instead so then it was done and i could spend as long as wanted bonding with my boy. Just remember to trust your instinct and dont be afraid to dissapear for a nap or ask people to leave if you get tired..

mrsf16_2

smelkel87 wrote: »

Hi chirpy chick, i have just had my first baby too, well 7 weeks ago.. I was going to wait a couple of weeks before allowing visitors but decided to just give it a couple of days instead so then it was done and i could spend as long as wanted bonding with my boy. Just remember to trust your instinct and dont be afraid to dissapear for a nap or ask people to leave if you get tired..

And trade cuddles for making tea/washing up/ hoovering etc xxx

Soworried

Congratulations smelkel. x :j

Butterfly_Brain

DH is a site agent at a lower school and all of the teaching staff are great. This week the head sent me a bag full of baskets that the teachers had been given with flowers in by some of the pupils, she sent them to me because she knows that I do a lot of crafting and all of our family help out with fetes (face painting, making cakes etc).
We stopped buying for nieces and nephews a long time ago (32 with great nieces and nephews too :eek:) all of the family on both sides agreed that this was a good thing, because we were all struggling at the time with young families. So we just buy for parents (sadly both of mine are gone) so for us it is just the outlaws and our own little family plus a little something for DD's BF.
I did pots of gold for all of the teaching staff last year, which went down a storm, so I have to think of something to better that this year ???????????
I hate trying to get around the shops at Christmas, because I am disabled, so every year I buy a lot of presents in the January sales and all of my cards, paper, gift tags and crackers.
I have been buying a few packs of sweets every week from Poundland/99p stores or keeping my eyes open for offers in Asda etc. So I nearly have all of my sweets, crisps and biscuits, plus a Christmas pud from last year. Oh and I got a couple of half price turkeys and a big joint of Gammon at Easter.
I have a few things to order from Amazon and cello bags and wrap from ebay. I got my lolly sticks in Hobby craft along with candy melts if anyone is doing cake pops this year.
I need to get my pickling onions in October I already have 2 jars of pickling vinegar ...must get some more.
I love this site for food hamper ideas http://www.britishlarder.co.uk/#axzz25JJuiBVu

KSB235

Bit of a lurker here, this thread is making me thoroughly excited about Christmas though! Glad I'm not the only person who starts buying things in August, most of my friends think I'm mad.

I'd like to try making some home made drinks this year, and possibly even the pickled pears mentioned by Possesion above for my mum!

Something I'd like to try to make the gifts a bit more personal is do a design/drawing on each glass bottle or jar. You can buy personalised champagne flutes etc in gift shops that look like they've been written on using a type of paint pen, giving a 3D effect? (Vague I know, sorry, having a brain fuzz this evening) Any idea what the pens might be called, I've just done a quick search on e Bay and can't seem to find what I'm looking for?!

buggalugs

KSB235 try typing in Glass Paint pens Hope it helps

KSB235

buggalugs wrote: »

KSB235 try typing in Glass Paint pens Hope it helps

Thanks! The ones on e Bay all seem to look like marker pens though, do you think they would give that raised 3D effect? Hmmm maybe I'll buy one and try it out, I'll report back!

The good thing is most of them say they are only permanent AFTER being baked in the oven, which is good as there is room for mistakes without ruining the bottles!

SAVINGMUM_2

Im loving this thread. I want to make the toffee vodka for christmas, just wondering how long it keeps for? Saw one thread in June saying is it too late to make then come across another website that said consume in five days of making? So very confused now!

Thank you

Take_it_like_a_man,_sonny

Rites I as had enuff, BAH HUMBUG

This year's Chrimbo Pud and Cake are going to be sooooooo marinated in Scotch, you people has forced me to get teh fruit and whisky. Glug Glug.

Two bulls of Fruit required. 1 Bottle of Bells

Into Cake bowl
Mixed Spice, globule
1/2lb Currants
1/2lb Sultanas
1/2lb Raisens
1/4lb Glace Cherries, chopped cut lip style
1/4lb Mixed Peel
Splodge of Brown Sugar
Lashings of Whisky
Sturr

Into Pudding Bowl
Mixed Spice, globule
1/4lb Raisens
1/4lb Sultanas
1/4lb Currants
2 oz Mixed Peel
Grated brind and juice of Lemon
Splodge of Brown Sugar
Lashings of Whisky

Stir

Cover with foil.

Brew until November 1st

boredjellybean

Hi there I'm loving this thread though I fear it may be the new year by the time I read through it all :rotfl:

I've started making my planning lists & noting down prezzie ideas & trying to figure out a budget (no idea how I'll fund it yet tough )

I've a quick question - does anyone know of anywhere REALLY cheap for stocking ideas? I will visit then £ shop but I have 4 stockings to fill :eek: any suggestions would be great

Sarah xx