Old Style Christmas Preparations for Christmas 2013

Rachyk

Where does everyone buy their fruit from for the Christmas cake? I got sultanas from Sainsbos in the value range, but my recipe wants currants and raisins two which they don't seem to have in a cheap variety, just the standard own brand. Wondered if anyone else knows a cheaper place, or if I will just have to buy the £2ish bags? Thanks in advance!

Possession

Rachyk wrote: »

Where does everyone buy their fruit from for the Christmas cake? I got sultanas from Sainsbos in the value range, but my recipe wants currants and raisins two which they don't seem to have in a cheap variety, just the standard own brand. Wondered if anyone else knows a cheaper place, or if I will just have to buy the £2ish bags? Thanks in advance!

Personally I don't bother with the different fruit, just use the cheaper raisins now you can get it at value prices. Although having said that this year we have an Aldi so I might see what their prices are like.

cyclingyorkie

Aldi is very competitive for dried fruit - I put it in DD1's porridge and it beats all of our local competitors...

Ches

I have always added all the weight of the dried fruit needed and substitute for mixed fruit.

alja

Hello! I hope you're all well!

I picked up some yummy bits for my parents' foodie hamper today. Mr T's finest all butter shortbread fingers and red onion relish. The I picked up some walnut whips from the coop - they had a little isle filled with yummy Christmas items!! Yay!

Islandmaid

Hi all,

Liney and quidsy your right, I thinks thats what I,ll say or something along those lines, luckily DB emailed me, so havn,t responded yet Don,t think he did it on purpose, just assumes everyone has the same level of disposable income that they have - Wrong!!!!

Re: Christmas cake fruit, I always get mine from Mr L, cheap and great quality, did get some glacencherry,s and mixed peel from Approved f@@d this month at a bargin price - last year just used mixed fruit in a boiled fruit cake and it worked really well, made little christmas cakes for our elderly neighbors and they all said they were good, hope they wern,t just being polite

Off to look for receipes for next weekend,s Xmas planning foray - makes me almost feel like a grown up, at 45 its about time:D

mum2one

Ches wrote: »

I have always added all the weight of the dried fruit needed and substitute for mixed fruit.

I buy what ever is there on offer, this yr I got value raisins, sultanas and a bag of mixed fruit - value for me, it all goes down the same way!!

Had a little top up of sherry, there looking very plump and juicy - if all goes well be making xmas cakes next Saturday xx

mum2one

Islandmaid wrote: »

Hi all,

Made 9 500g jars of Piccalilli today to add to the chill jam I made last weekend.

Some of these will become part of Christmas gifts for family - some for us.

Bit annoyed at my DB, its our mum,s 70th Christmas eve, DB has asked us to go halves on a Kitchen A!d mixer for her at £300 - we just can,t afford it... They have a much higher family income than us and I would like to have had the choice, but they,ve already bought the bloomin thing:mad: not sure how to play this one:o

Back to Xmas, got some good bargin,s at the works including a curry,s of the world cookbook for DS1 (19) who is curry mad don,t know if he,ll use it, hopeing to inspire him into learning to cook

Sorry to be cheeky, have you got a recipe for picalli - this is my 1st yr of home made goodies.

I would tell DB to take a long walk off a short plank.... just say that you have got something and if had of asked earlier then you'd have known!!

Anyone who wants some bargain mini chocs at Morrisons they have treat size bag of cadburys buttons and cadburys twirls for £1 each instead of £2.79 a bag - on offer till 29th September, xx

Islandmaid

Mum2one

I used this one -

http://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/pams-piccalilli/

Used less sugar as I like less sweet, and I used pickling vinager not cider

It tasted fine, but not matured yet. Made 9 jam jar sized jars.

Good luck

mum2one

Gardeners hamper

hand cream
nail brush
kneeling mat (Wilkinsons)
gardening gloves (Poundland)
A 5 year gardening diary (Wilkinsons)
A "world's best gardener" mug (Wilkinsons)
gardening tools with a fancy flowery design (Poundland)
gardener's soap (Wikinsons


pamper hamper

Ideas for relaxation/pamper hampers:

box of chocolates or homemade chocolates or truffles etc
mini bottle of wine and a wine glass
A cheap dvd
nail varnish
bubble bath
Snowman soup or hot chocolate sachet
nail file
hair turban (Poundland have these)
a book
a face mask sachet
How about making a cd
fleecey blanket
candles

----
Home made coffee hamper

Get a nice pair of mugs
then make a selection of the coffees