Preparing for xmas 2015

[Deleted User]

We decided some years ago that commercial Christmas was not for us. We make a stocking for the girls and the grandson, and one big present that has to be something we'll use not something to be on a shelf/just looked at. We set a limit of £25 for a few periphery presents and it's fun finding bargains that they will all like. Years ago I made fabric bags and tags to use instead of wrapping paper or we decorate sheets of newspaper and use that as we can recycle it afterwards, the bags are ironed and go back in the loft in the new year. We have a christmas tree but it's an artificial one and use the traditional decorations on it we've always had. The house is decorated on Christmas Eve with greenery and candles, we take baskets out and gather in what's available from the footpaths, lanes and garden, and we make lovely homemade food to see us through the 3 days of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day and life other than that is as normal, makes for a special time that doesn't overwhealm us or go on too long. It's our way and we enjoy it.

candlelight_2013

I remember you talking about your Christmas last year Lyn, and I followed. It is such a relief to not have to spend forever shopping and thinking what to buy. I know you had a wartime meal last year and we did the same on Boxing Day.

We don't have a Christmas tree any more but cover the mantle piece with greenery, fairy lights and just a few baubles. DGD1 also spray paints a largish branch and we decorate that with white angels and white baubles.
Oooo I feel really Christmasy.

Candlelightx

freespirit66

Hi, i am a complete christmas nut, i love the time of year from autumn to christmas, i start buying presents in the january sales with survey vouchers (mainly amazon) and use the money i save from no Council Tax/Water Rates for a couple of months, then its survey vouchers throughout the year, i am 90% done now i just have DS to buy for, they are all wrapped in my wardrobe. From September i start buying a food item or two a week, plus a tip i picked up from a lady on here which i love is to also buy an extra cleaning product then this will see you through January when money is usually tight. I have a £100 m&s voucher this year from opening a bank account to spend on christmas food, nectar points i usually buy the chocolates with, so will start to put away £10 a week away for extra fresh foods in September too, i usually end up not really having to food shop much in January. Wrapping paper, cards and crackers are all bought in the January sales too. If i earn any vouchers from surveys after getting all my pressies sorted then i use them for extra christmassy bits/treats. The only thing i have to find money for is the Christmas Tree each year.

[Deleted User]

This years menu

Christmas Eve

Breakfast - Swedish Rice Porridge with cinnamon sugar and butter, coffee.

Lunch - Delia Smiths Chilli-con-Carne , Salad
Apple Trifle

Supper - Danish Open Sandwiches
Homemade Gingerbread/ Yorkshire Christmas Loaf and crumbly white cheese.

Christmas Day

Breakfast - Kannellbullar ( Scandinavian cinnamon buns), coffee.

Lunch - Starter - Crayfish Coctail on lettuce

Main - Julskinka (Swedish Christmas Ham), Potato Gratin, sprouts, carrots, peas, cheesy parsnips and apple sauce.

Pudding - Christmas pudding and cream.

Supper - Cheeseboard and assorted biscuits, grapes, celery, Homemade gingerbread. hot mince pies


Boxing Day

Breakfast - Fresh Baked Bread Rolls, homemade preserves, Coffee.

Lunch - Cold Ham, Bubble and Squeak, Salad, Pickles
Petworth Pudding (Chocolate Biscuit Cake)

Supper - Homemade Leek and Potato Soup, Cheese Board, Gingerbread/Petworth Pudding.

None of it hard work involving hours in the kitchen and all of it just what we like.

candlelight_2013

Lyn, if I happen to find myself in Hampshire over the Christmas period can I call in, everything sounds absolutely delicious?

You are way ahead of me in planning, but I do want to do something different again

Candlelightx

[Deleted User]

Oh yes, we'd love it if you did!

fuddle

Lyyyyyyyyyyyyyn please tell me more about Julskinka

[Deleted User]

Lovely piece of gammon cooked on the hob with whole allspice berries,peppercorns, cloves and bay leaves and then the skin taken off and left to cool for an hour. Then you make a coating of breadcrumbs, egg, mustard and honey and coat the 'fatty' side of the ham and brown it in a hot oven so the crust becomes golden brown. Traditional; Christmas fayre in Sweden and yummy!

vulpix

...and apple trifle please.

[Deleted User]

Apple Trifle

I x chocolate swiss roll/ some stale cake
some sweetened stewed apple
double or whipping cream
grated chocolate/broken flake
glace cherries and angelica to decorate if you like them

Slice the roll or cube the cake and put in the base and up the sides of a glass dish, pour on the apple puree, cover it with clingfilm and leave it to sit for an hour or so. Whip the cream and spread it over the apple, sprinkle with the chocolate of your choice and decorate with the glace cherries and angelica. Very simple but strangely delicious!