* Walking in a Winter Wonderland * - It's the 2015 Christmas Chatter Thread

azjh77

Hey hey all. Glad to find a group of people who won't think I am mad for having started next Christmas already! I'm a student with 4 children, so a budget Christmas is generally he way forward here!

I've got all my paper and cards, got some lovely stockings for 50 pence each and have started on the kids advent presents- nearly finished dd1. Also started collecting for a 16th birthday hamper for her for April. I'm thinking "experiences" for next year rather than stuff, so will be borrowing any good ideas you all have.

Happy new year everyone!

Crowdpleaser

Got rid of all cards here. I need to dust but not quite managed it yet...

Have done a load of housework but spent rest of time with kids watchinh films. Were currently on ET. Oh well. Im back to work tomorrow so its nice to spend some time with them!

Not done any sales. I will probably zip into boots when they do the super sale anfd poss get some stocking fillers for kids for next year.

Xxx

FeistyFidget

nicki wrote: »

I can't paint that well! I use stencils made from photocopied colouring books or print outs and a felt tip pen to mark the lines out first then artist brushes to paint. This Christmas its much more colourful as I bought new paints so no longer have to mix the different colours to the same extent

Here are the past 3 years windows. I'm going to do them just as links as I can't get the hang of the new look ph0t0bucket so can't edit the sizes lol

Christmas 2012
Christmas 2013
Christmas 2014

This past year I also did Halloween and The World Cup.

So fab! Well done, beautiful as always

Crowdpleaser

Your windows really are lovely nicki xxc

Peppapig

Welcome Azjh77 - I think you'll find you're in good company here

Nicky, the windows look really good - couldn't see the Halloween one but the others were fab. I cheat and use window clings

Most of the decs have gone here although I've left the hall ones up because they're all silvery with little white lights and look wintery not just Christmassy. I've left the outside icicle lights up too because although I'm loving the clear look of the place now the decs are down, I am still missing the fairy lights.

Having a quiet few days but will be having DGS for the day on Wednesday then going to DD's on Thursday as New Year's Day is her birthday.

Feeling a bit flat as I usually do once it's all over. I think I've finally realised that it's the present-buying that I like and once I've given them out that's it. Oh well, plenty of birthdays to come

lazysheep

Nicki those windows are fab Not only do I not possess an artistic bone in my body (stencils or otherwise), my front window is below the level of the road (we live on a hill) and behind a big hedge so literally noone would see it!

I have done a smallish order on Tesco clothing for a few bits from the sale for pressies for next year but I'll wait until I collect before adding to the spreadsheet as the last order I did something got cancelled despite being in stock when I ordered it online.

Might pop into town tomorrow but it depends on the weather so will try and catch a forecast later - I'm not such a fan of wondering round in the cold and rain

Christina_F

Well I'm making the last batch of mince pies today, I'm popping to a family members to enjoy a few and leave the rest ; ) thus time I'm making cream cheese shortcrust which when cooks makes a glorious semi puff, but without the hastle! I


The pastry sounds delicious - would you mind posting the recipe please
Thanks
Christina

betterlife

3forholidays wrote: »

Shining Star
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcar...2&source=jl999

The Twelve Days of Christmas
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcar...2&source=jl999

White Christmas
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcar...2&source=jl999

just to let you no, no of these are available anymore x

nicki_2

Thanks for the compliments on the window displays We live on a main cut through road right on the pavement, and there's lots of kids going past so I regularly get an audience as it takes me a few days to do the actual painting but I only usually work 9am-4pm due to needing the light, with breaks to do other things. In total, excluding the making of stencils, it takes me about 12-24 hours to do the whole thing. I have a great laugh listening to the comments as people go past, and according to a friend who lives the other end of our road, people going past go "thats nice, but not as good as that painted one!" :o I'm hoping to buy some cheap white rope lights to illuminate it next. At first I had vertical blinds up and when I had the livingroom lights on at night you could still see the window as it was lit from behind, but this year I've put nets up for better privacy and more light during the day, but now the window is dark at night In fact that is what my savings card can pay for when A$da get them in next November That and my clothes, and clothes for DD. That'll easily wipe £150 off it :eek::rotfl:

FeistyFidget

Christina_F wrote: »

Well I'm making the last batch of mince pies today, I'm popping to a family members to enjoy a few and leave the rest ; ) thus time I'm making cream cheese shortcrust which when cooks makes a glorious semi puff, but without the hastle! I


The pastry sounds delicious - would you mind posting the recipe please
Thanks
Christina

It's from my good housekeeping baking book and although I've tried to hunt it online, I can't find it