Old Style Christmas Preparations for Christmas 2013

iammumtoone

lastminutej wrote: »

I couldn't find chocolate the right size for my sleighs so ended up wrapping mini smarties packs, when I saw the reindeer I just had to having him pulling the sleigh- I stuck them on a box covered with cotton wool so it looked like he was pulling the sleigh through clouds, my son loved it so much that he didn't want to undo it and eat the chocolate!

That is lovely. I showed my son this thread and asked him if he wanted to make some of the sleighs for his friends, he said yes and asked if he could have one as well (what child wouldn't). I can't afford to make them like yours for everyone but I will definitely be doing that version for my son, Thanks.

bossymoo

Nearer the time, Aldi usually have choc reindeer, cost less than the Lindt ones!

iammumtoone

bossymoo wrote: »

Nearer the time, Aldi usually have choc reindeer, cost less than the Lindt ones!

ooh thanks I'll put it on my list of things to look our for. I am currently looking every time I pop into a supermarket to see if the mini kinder bars are on offer, and £land to see when they get the candy canes in?

Where do others get the candy canes? I'm sure I remember £land having them but didn't take that much notice as I don't eat them.

vodkawitch1

Got mine in poundland last year x Love the sleigh idea x

flopsy59

if your making the sleighs and want the 4 finger kitkat Morrison have them in packs of 8 for £2 got some today. there 4 pack are £1.59

bossymoo

Actually, Aldi have mini choc bars too, both grown ups and kiddies types, very good value, so maybe a good place to start altogether. Think I got candy canes in home bargains last year, a dozen for about 70p. We don't eat them either but they do look nice on the tree... Singly or in small bundles tied with red ribbon,

DD and I made mini chocs today as a practice run for choc slabs. Just let her squash a square of value choc into silicone shapes, nuked for a min then she put dolly mixtures on. We might do bigger ones with fruit and nut for grandparents.

Need to look into tempering, as I found once they'd set and been chilled, they melted much quicker in the mouth than straight from the bar, if that makes sense? Anyone done home made choc slabs? Sort of like these chokablok bars?

iammumtoone

The main reason chocolate needs to be tempered as once set it can look horrible if not. It wont hurt you and tastes just the same but doesn't look very attractive for gifts

The easiest way to temper is in a microwave if you google it you will find loads of complicated ways to do this but I did find a couple of simpler ways


* Place chocolate in a microwave-proof bowl. Place the bowl of chocolate in the microwave oven. Set power level to 5 or 50%. Set time to 30 seconds. Heat for 30 seconds.
* Take the bowl out of microwave oven and use a rubber spatula in a gentle sweeping motion to stir the chocolate, even if none of it has become liquid yet.
* Return the bowl to the microwave oven. Heat for 30 seconds more. Remove. And stir.
* Repeat the intervals of heating and stirring until about two-thirds of the chunks become liquid and about one-third are in soft lumps. The temperature of the liquid chocolate at this point will be about 100°. Continually stir to cool the chocolate until the soft lumps disappear and the temperature lowers to 89°F.
* At this point the chocolate should be in temper and ready to use.

or

Place 12 ounces of the white chocolate in a heat-proof glass bowl and put it in the microwave on high for 30 seconds. (Time it with your watch for accuracy.) Stir the chocolate with a rubber spatula, return it to the microwave for another 30 seconds, then stir again. Continue to heat and stir in 30-second intervals until the chocolate is just melted. Immediately stir in the remaining 4 ounces of chocolate and allow it to sit at room temperature, stirring often, until it's completely smooth. (If you need to heat it a little more, place it in the microwave for another 15 seconds.)

mum2one

we made a trail block with marshmellows - but we did spread the choc to thin, but it was a trial, did the tempering and it made the choc look like it had come straight out of the wrapper.

We're doing
Reindeer bark - choc - add crushed candy cones - try to break to like like shards of trees.
mahshmellows, nuts, jelly beans.

keep me out of trouble xx

candlelight_2013

No candy canes in my Po**dland yet, mainly Halloween sweets, might be a little early yet.

SunshineFace

Just wondering... where do money savers purchase Christmas cards?