Preparing for xmas 2015

VJsmum

so - how do i recognise a sloe? I think my dad and inlaws might like sloe gin...

Islandmaid

VJsmum wrote: »

so - how do i recognise a sloe? I think my dad and inlaws might like sloe gin...

Sloe's grow on blackthorn bushes and look like this



If your not sure, please don,t use them - I don,t want anyone poisoned - eBay is awash with sloe berries this time of year

Or make some Skittles Vodka - my teens loved it last year :rotfl:

EDIT : Thank Lynne - been up since 4 - brains fried - have amended

[Deleted User]

Hawthorn haws are those bright red berries like tiny apples that are very prolific this year, Sloes are the fruit of the Blackthorn bush, the one with very sharp long thorns so be careful when you're picking them.

[Deleted User]

Bless I sooo know how that feels!!!

amber03

Went food shopping today and bought a couple of items to put away for xmas. They where all on half price offers so bought two of each, one to use now and one to put away. Will have to find a few good hiding places cos if my lot know what I have got, they will eat it. :)x

lushlifesaver

I'm beginning to get excited for Christmas at last; Peter Jones has the Yankee Christmas range in and they are all lush this year - I'm going to try bf to one of the 'advent calendars' this year as he got me one last year.


We always buy a new decoration for the tree which our little girl can help pick this year


I am going to start properly after my September pay day (Fri 25th) as then we will have had our little holiday to our caravan


Bf's birthday is in November but I have bought his big gifts already (tickets to two shows) so I am setting a little aside to buy souveniers/treats at each of those, replacing a keyring I got him that kept breaking and I need 2/3 more gift ideas for that.


Christmas I only buy for bf, our little girl (obviously we do that together but I always buy her extras!), my mum and dad and brother. I'm saving £30 per month from each pay check from now until November towards gifts, food I always work in to our usual budget by buying bits and pieces in the months up to it.
In fact I'm going to go pick up a couple of bottles of schloer whilst its £1 and some cleaning bits are on offer too in morrisons.


I think I am going to do my mum and dad small token gifts and then a joint hamper again this year as they loved that last year; brother I have no idea - he's planning on going travelling apparently so maybe something around that - a new journal, passport cover, luggage tag that kind of thing?


I'm going to do pots of gold for the table gifts, we have us three, my parents, bfs parents and potentially my brother (+1 if he has one by then) and maybe one of bf's brothers coming to us so I'm budgeting for 10 table presents at £25 (for the lot obviously - small glasses from ikea, chocolate coins, ferero rocer, scratchcard each, other gold/Christmas treats I find )

[Deleted User]

If you are buying in edibles to save for Christmas now make sure to check the USE BY DATE as often things that are presented as Christmas presents have a date well this side of Christmas, I've been caught before and had to rush out close to the day for replacements, particularly posh biscuits and shortbread. Worth checking and waiting until later for a longer use by date to make sure things to give as presents ARE in date.

amber03

Went to Castco today and they have started stocking xmas stuff. One item that caught my eye was a calendar for children for xmas. Starting on the 1/12 each day you turned over a page and it would be either a puzzle, dot to dot, word search or drawing a picture. These where great if you don't want chocolate calendars , Sadly I don't have any little ones to buy one for.


Also read somewhere that L*dl have started to sell frozen turkey crowns. Need to make room in my freezer first.x

Islandmaid

Well all,

My Chilli Jelly is made, labeled and is waiting for Christmas.

Sloe gin is 'infusing', I also made some strawberry jam, as I got some YS strawbs.

I,ve upped my monthly saving by £20 as all 3 kids (21/19/17) have said they will be home for Christmas, and 2 out of 3 may be bringing their BF/GF - told them, I don,t mind how many are here as long as I know beforehand. I have a feeling it could be our last big 'family' Christmas, as the 2 eldest are very 'loved up' - so want to make it a good one - OS style though

Manxcottageonthehill

I was wondering if I can join in on this thread? We just moved into our new house on Friday, and as we are super skint I'm hoping to make all my presents this year. Hoping I can make it then again its only a few people not many. Also hoping to make my own house decorations, inside and out!!