Preparing for xmas 2015

Laurensalive

As I am single with no family I will be treating xmas the same as any other day. But do the turkey thing. I always decide to treat myself at this time of year. I will buy some xmas bits nearer to the day.

datlex

Christmas doesn't have to be expensive. Last year, for most of my family I used various shop vouchers to get their presents- nectar points, boots advantage points, tesco clubcard, barclaycard rewards etc. Also we don't go mad on how much we spend. I think that shops have a lot to answer for in saying things worth £50 or more are just "stocking fillers". I still have last years decorations and should have enough wrapping paper to do presents.

cyantist

Islandmaid wrote: »

I,ve started too :xmastree:

Fudge
Truffles
Lemon truffles
Nougat
Chilli jelly
Strawberry jam (made in season)
Sugared nuts
Piccalilli
Limoncello
Cheese truckles (bought)
Seed crackers

My Pinterest Christmas page is filling up fast

Ooooh what's in the chilli jelly?
Do you have a recipe cos I might try and make some for presents at Christmas but I can't find a recipe online I like

Meg_x

Most of my present buying is for adults, and I always ask them what they want rather than get something they won't use.
Trouble is they never know till the last blooming minute! so this year I've started buying Amazon vouchers, and once I know what to buy I can just order them knowing they're paid for.

I bought cards and wrapping paper in January when they were half price.

Food wise, I've been putting a couple of £ away in a tin each week to cover the basics. Not going mad this year, I always buy far too much and either throw stuff away or give it away after Christmas.

Meg_x

cyantist wrote: »

Ooooh what's in the chilli jelly?
Do you have a recipe cos I might try and make some for presents at Christmas but I can't find a recipe online I like

My friend's DIL makes this and often gives me a jar. It's lovely. I use it in stirfrys, as well as for dips..think I'll ask for the recipe.

jackyann

I buy bits & pieces as I see them for small gifts / stocking fillers.

Ideas:
I grow lavender and make lavender bags & wands & tie up bunches

I use windfall apples & crab apples to make herb or chilli jellies

I grow herbs and make herb vinegar & oil (using cheapest olive oil)

I save pretty boxes & tins for home made sweets & biscuits

I buy plain white tissue paper from Lakeland for wrapping & pretty it up with stickers & cheapest ribbon.

I use First Direct's regular saver account to get the equivalent of 3% on my saving across the year.

Tinkers7

I really need to be careful with money this christmas so lots of careful planning and organisation. I am going to gather the ingredients to make my cake which lasts me for months.:o

jackyann

I too gather ingredients over the months before, and make the cake last....well, weeks. Eating it with a piece of cheese is my treat lunch or tea until February.

mirry

Some great ideas on here:T I've also started up my jewellery making again and I'm making some very unusual bracelets...they cost about £2.50 each to make

I'm looking for a Xmas pudding recipe without egg or nuts if possible, I love the thought of all the presents sorted so I can concentrate on the food making. Also I have a health problem so I find it easier getting this sorted slowly over the year to save my energy.

amber03

Yesterday out shopping I bought the postage stamps, considering writing the xmas cards this week as its one of the annoying jobs I usually leave to the last minute. I have cut down on the number of cards I send. Noticed the younger generation I work with don't bother with cards as they consider them a waste of time.


Going to an outlet village later,will keep my eye out for any bargins or stuff I can out away for xmas. Want to keep it simple this year.Have checked the calendar and will be working again this xmas eve as its one of my working days, so will be a chippy tea as I don't finish work till seven oclock. x