The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

fuddle

Floss you have pay for damage to work's car! That's terrible. The amount your DH will pay in tax etc that's just not fair. You now our first trip to the New Forest t'other day? We went in DH's work car. Only just delivered, less than 100 miles on clock - crack! Stone hit the window screen. New windscreen needed on Monday morning but DH's work pays for it out of the insurance. sure you have to foot the bill?

I think so sq. It's difficult to ignore when it's directed to you though but you're so right.

Gnocchi - hmmmm. What can be difficult about potato, flour and egg? I think I am going to need a lot of trial and error in order to get a feel of what the dough should feel like. Trial and error (plenty of error!) is the only way to learn huh?

Possession

Fuddle I made a shedload of gnocchi about 6 months ago, using smash type potato. I froze lots and we've only just finished it. Personally I didn't like it but all the other members of the family did so it made some cheap meals. Boy was I sick of the sight of it by the end though.

[Deleted User]

MAR I've got DD1 a hand mincer and DD2 a toaster, does that count as high tech? The rest of it all very old style though, we love it!!! Lyn xxx.

fuddle

Mar I wish it could be completely home made but it isn't. I haven't started yet as DH isn't paid till tomorrow but I have elements of OS in that wool/crochet hook, sewing kits, craft items, cookery and baking books, DH David Jason autobiography and myself a pair of slippers but they will be store bought aside from the scarves and little token gestures I've crocheted.

I don't like the hugeness that Christmas seems to be and fast not liking the idea that Santa gets the credit. I can't wait for the day when we can all gift each other from one hand to the other and really appreciate the thought that has gone in to it. Until then I get to see the twinkle and excitement from youngest and these times really are magical for parents.

Stockings? I put tangerines and nuts in ours and I don't know why. Can you enlighten me and any other ideas?

maryb

I wish we could scrap all the presents and the cards and just have a feast on the day. All those cards!! We met up with DH's family last weekend and they had all brought their cards to give us to save postage and I thought it was so pointless. I would much prefer just to send cards - if at all- to people we don't see.

But Christmas is never going to be purchase free while our girls are still not yet independent. I quite like Martin's take on it - presents should be small tokens unless it represents a way of building up the giftee's 'capital'. So with DD1 wanting to get her own place, it makes sense to get her things for her bottom drawer

Pooky

Our Christmas is a mix, both DDs have a high tech gadgety pressie (the entire family have chipped in so DH and I have spent no more than normal), they have jimjams and socks, smellies and books....I've made them sweetie jars and blankets and they have some gorgeously scented soaps from Mardatha and some beautiful jewellery from Mrs Chip.

I'm happy with how we do Christmas, it's about the build up, the traditional family things and the togetherness more than a fancy show.

In other news, I've just found the bottom of my ironing pile! Hurrah.

Fuddle - I cheat and put a chocolate orange and some chocolate coins in the girls stockings....much nicer for breakfast

FairyPrincessk

Mar, we were completely home-made last year. I did baked treats for all of the relatives and OH and I exchanged simple items. I think he actually got me a book, so I guess not home-made, but very simple. This year I'm getting a sewing machine combined present from parents and OH and some of my savings. It isn't a surprise but it is something I've wanted for awhile. OH is getting a watch repair and a gift voucher for something for his office. They aren't glamorous presents, I suppose, but they were planned with thought and care.

Fuddle we used to get an apple, an orange, nuts and chocolate (american Hershey's kisses to be precise). I think we usually also had a candy cane which I don't see much of over here. I know oranges are traditional in the US because they used to be very expensive and a luxury. I'm not sure about here, I would suppose the same although it seems satsumas are more common.

Right, time for me to get some work done. I'm hoping to get a bit of time to bake gingerbread this afternoon. I'll take a bit of it in for my students tomorrow and keep the rest for the party. Headache has passed, just feeling a bit tired so have taken my work under the duvet with me.

FlowerPetal_2

I've made my own Christmas crackers this year. I hate the rubbish ones available in supermarkets etc. The 'novelty gifts' inside always end up in the bin and it seems such a waste. So this year, I made my own with crepe paper, loo rolls, snaps and hats/jokes I've kept from previous years. I've bought little presents that I know people will like and keep to put in the crackers. e.g. lego minifigure, comb, mini handcream, chocolate etc. It is probably more expensive than buying them from Tesco, but soooooo much nicer. And I get a sense of satisfaction that they are homemade.

nuatha

fuddle wrote: »

Stockings? I put tangerines and nuts in ours and I don't know why. Can you enlighten me and any other ideas?

We always used to get a mix of nuts in the toes, a small torch, a couple of satsumas, a silver coin and some sweets in the foot, an orange in the heel, a puzzle book (youngest brother got a colouring book) a small pack of pens and some more sweets (chocolate coins and a sugar or white chocolate mouse in the ankle with a polished red apple to fill the top.
I guess my Dad got sick of misshaped socks when I was about 11, as the stockings became Christmas carrier bags, though the contents remained the same.
Biggest frustration was not having access to nut crackers until the whole family were up.

The oranges/satsuma represent St Nicholas giving gold balls to three sisters (the origin of the Christmas stocking) I've no idea of the origin of any of the others. Though in our house the idea was to keep us kids occupied until the adults rose at a more sensible hour and the whole family went downstairs together.

[Deleted User]

Hello FLOWERPETAL welcome in to the thread, well done on the homemade crackers, such a lovely thing to do for folks you love, I hope you all enjoy pulling them on christmas day, Lyn xxx.