'supporting each other through really tough times'

MrsCD

We have an artificial tree as well. We've collected a new bauble every year so now we don't really need all the 'samey' type ones any more. I'm going to have a clear out for the CS when we get the boxes down from the loft. My friend who works in a CS says that any decorations they get in the shop sell as soon as they come in.
I've just taken 24 mince pies out of the oven. I made them with a sheet of ready rolled (shop's own) puff pastry cut into 24 squares, a teaspoonful of HM mincemeat in the middle and brushed around the edges with milk. I'll dust them with icing sugar when they're cool. Can't wait but no good for the diet!

smileyt - what sort of decs are you thinking about making?
There are some that children can make here -
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/christmas_pages.htm
or there are more grown up ones as well as children's here
http://www.christmasiscoming.co.uk/Christmas_Decorating_Ideas.html

VJsmum

MrsCD wrote: »

We have an artificial tree as well. We've collected a new bauble every year so now we don't really need all the 'samey' type ones any more.

I collect christmas tree decorations from my holidays. Probably get 5 or 6 every year, sometimes fewer. I splashed out this year on one which was in an american diner that was in an old railway car - probably cost £10 :eek: but I really wanted it and didnt bring much else back as souvenirs. I love it because every year I put them all on remembering the places where they were bought. The tree may not be stylish, but it is unique!

katieowl_2

Give me an OS pat on the back. I went into TK Maxx and didn't buy anthing!!! (was sorely tempted though)

I've sorted DD's Xmas pressie though. In the spirt of the others pressies it should have been recycled/vintage. Mum bought me the set of river cottage books from the book people, and I have three of the ten anyway, so I originally thought to keep the set (I was going to give her the 'new' ones I have, but it's a boxed set) and she's getting my original copies of the veg one (new place has a garden) the hedgerow one and the seashore one. So I was trying to think of something 'foragy' that would go...had a lightbulb moment. She's getting a demi-john, and some wine making stuff, and a preserving pan. My friend I went shopping with has a pan she salvaged from the tip that she doesn't want :T so I won't need to buy a pan and I added a nice wooden pan paddle from Mr Wilco and a stainless steel jam funnel. She should be well pleased with that.

Came home and rummaged in the fridge for dinner, some YS gammon steaks, potato wedges, and made a spinach florentine using a bag of leaves that needed using, a manky old bit of parmesan and left over cream, and broke 12 quails eggs (40p yellow stickered :rotfl:) in to cook in the oven. How us bottom feeders live LOL!

Kate

missrlr

I managed to get a load of beautiful glass ornaments from a p@perch@se sale, someone had "hidden" them a the edge of a table of goodes , 90% off so some were sub £1! Yippee! We have added to them over the years always from sales and hols so we get the memories when dressing the tree.
Blinking cold, gave up came to bed with hot water bottle
I only have to survive tomorrow then 2 days of no wrk. Can't wait!

elizabunny

Just on the theme of Christmas deco's. I remember cutting out giant snowflake shapes from those polystyrene ceiling tiles that used to be around -don't know if they are even made anymore -safety issues etc. The snowflakes used to look good though, the kids used to cover them in glue and sprinkle silver glitter all over them, then we used to hang them from the ceiling.

stiltwalker

Might have to get the tree out a bit earlier this year now the kids are really starting to get the hang of Christmas - so that might be the week before!!! Will be the artificial one again - I love real trees but sadly they bring me out in itchy bumps.

Had a good day at Kidz up North - lots of useful info and booked an appointment to have an assessment for the double bugy we need and a good funding option for it that isn't going to take forever to process as we kind of need the buggy yesterday really as DD has most definately grown out of the on we are using at the moment.

7_week_wonder

Agghh! How did that happen - I was desparate for a good night's sleep, so was tucked up in my bed with my knitting at 9pm, lights out at 1030pm so how come I was wide awake at just after 4 this morning?!?! Normally I would go through to the spare room and rely on the World Service sending me back to sleep, but the spare room is currently in complete disarray with the contents of the eaves whilst we wait for the insulation people to come so I'm sat here with a cup of tea or seven feeling like something the cat refused to drag in:mad:

Thanks kittie for the info on cayenne: I will try making a hot drink and see just how foul it is, but may have to resort to the capsules.

Bleugh - I think I'll carry on with my baby jumper knitting, whilst trying to feel more at one with the world.

I hope everyone has a good Friday.

meme30

I am another who buys a decoration for the tree each year.
When the girls were small we bought them a decoration each every Christmas. When they got their own places we gave them their own decorations for their own tree. So they took their Christmas memories with them. This meant I could buy more to fill the gaps.
We have always had a real tree, then last year it died within a week and when we chucked it out we found that it was diseased. So now we have a huge artificial one and although I miss the smell I don't miss the needles! Our old dog always managed to wag her tail at the tree and often had the branches stripped! :rotfl:

Elizabunny:- Holly-yes it's prickly, but it's fun. We use an Ik*a blue bag to collect our in.

Katieowl:- That's a lovely present, great idea.

Smileyt:- I'm not good at home made decs but I did once decorate some twigs with lights and baubles. Oh, I think I painted the twigs white first!;)

Pooky

Morning all

Light frost here this morning, the car is icy and the Sun is just trying to rise over the cliffs.

We have an artificial tree, brought it our first Christmas together and it cost a fortune but it every year for the past 12 christmases it goes up and looks fab, everyone comments on how nice it is. I have a slim tree for dining room which was only £12 last year and looks naff when it's naked but it's lovely when its dressed. Trees will be up over the weekend, we've always done them on the first weekend in December, I love it!

DD1s first driving lesson went well and she's hooked, the instructor said he was so impressed with her dexterity and co-ordination, he hinted that she might not need very many lessons. We were looking to get her a car but the insurance is just daft.

Off to get my hair chopped today, I'm going short and funky as I feel fat and frumpy at the moment. My hair is poker straight and unless it's really short it does nothing but hang. I want something that reminds me that I'm still in my 30s (well for 6 mo ths anyway).

craigywv

morning all lovely dark freezing cold day here moon still high ,loving hearing all about your tree decorations especially the home made deccos x