* It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year * - It's the 2016 Christmas Chatter Thread

Money_maker

Theres a rather nice Werthers vodka you can make which simply needs the werthers sweets added & the bottle shaken regularly until they have dissolved. Recipe will probably be on google.

sammy_kaye18

mandco --- oh fab I will have a look now, I will be near a local works soon so I wonder if I will see if I can collect it there

cherry - ah it took me nearly 4 hours yesterday and I had to stop play because hubby fell asleep on the other sofa with the dogs, so that is going to be my morning finishing off that room I think. But it has been completely gutted and cleaned.

Only thing is last job will be to bleach the floors but two bags of junk I got rid of, minimised my daughter Hollys toys to one box and pulled out the sofas, through the boxes on the shelves - everything - nothing was safe.

Im following the Holiday Grand Plan on magical holiday home and so far have done the front door and stairs, the bathroom, the back porch and now 80% of the living room so thats most of the space any visitors will see.....just the kitchen to go and then I am tackling the bedrooms! :eek::eek::eek::eek: although I have Tuesday to Thursday off again this week so if the weather is nice I might do the front garden. I like it thought because although it gives you household cleaning stuff to do it helps you tackle a load of chrismtas prep too. So this week was feed the freezer or stock cupboard list making and last week was writing gift and christmas card lists feeling very festive


sare65 - Im sorry I know nothing about vodka - I am completely straight edge so Ive never drank it or gifted it but I did hear you can use different coloured vodkas and liqourice in them.

Peppapig

MANDCO, you cat eats puppies?:eek::eek::eek: (only joking) :rotfl:

Welcome to the thread SARE65, you've def come to the right place. There were lots of alcohol recipes/suggestions a couple of years ago (nit from me, I'm useless at anything like that) so hopefully some of the others will be along soon to reincarnate them.

MURIE hope the decorating is going or has gone well. I'm decorating too but only in 12th scale lol (DGD's dolls house, it's a Christmas pressie so counts as a festive activity too)

ELLIE have a fab weekend.

FREE hope you're ok, ditto FEISTY.

Apologies to all, I have read everything but retained very little so I think I must go back to posting every day so I don't miss things out. I think I've decided on my SNOW project but must remember to actually get on and do it. Once I've had the idea I tend to think I've done it!

I've decided that this year I'm going to try and organise a Christmas donation project for our local animal rescue services. A vet surgery in another area did it last year and it was really good so fingers crossed I can do it here. It's basically like the shoe box gifts but animal food/toys. I've written to the local rescue who are fully supportive of it and also the local RSPCA who haven't replied yet. Marketing and publicity are not my strong points but I thought I might be able to get some free space in our local magazine (advertising thing really but they do sometimes give space to charity things) and maybe put a letter through doors in our street and notices in the local shops. I'll contact the local paper too. Must admit I'm feeling a bit wobbly about it all but hopefully I'll be ok once I get going. It's been quite a while since I organised anything now I'm not working which is why I wrote to the organisations straight away - if I've told them I want to do it I can't back out.

04624181

Morning all, I can honestly say this first full week back at school has taken its toll on the whole household. We are all exhausted, DS is full of a cold, DD is in full strop mode and hubby fell asleep on couch last night lol. On the christmas front I have received one of the mentoes tubes I ordered, I cannot remember if the other one has already come so need to tidy the bedroom up so I can see where I have hidden everything. DS 14th birthday next month and he has asked for a new headset for his xbox.
Nic2075- Thanks for the info on the designafriend style dolls as I have got my daughter one for christmas so will pop in and have a nosey.
Springdreams-WOw that christmas shop looks amazing!
sammykaye18-I love lists too! I the satisfaction of ticking a job off my list once its completed lol simple pleasures. My under the stairs cupboard is in the kitchen and is full of stuff we obviously do not need lol I need to get online and start my christmas prep/home organisation. Just feel like I have no energy at all.
mandco-Them charms look lovely, good bargains x I had to laugh when I read that your cat is eating the puppy food.
cherry24-good luck with the cellar clear out, I agree it is very therapeutic to have a good clear out.
elliew8- Have a lovely weekend away. how lovely of your mum to get you a grinch phone case, what a lovely festive surprise.
chrissyg-wow you are well prepared for christmas, you will just be able to enjoy the run up to christmas and all the festive celebrations
sare65- Hi and welcome, sorry I cannot help you but just wanted to say hi and good luck with your homemade gifts. Sounds lovely xxx
peppapig- MANDCO, you cat eats puppies? (only joking) this did make me laugh out loud. I must say I applaud you for organising a lovely gesture for the animals. Please come on here and bounce ideas etc I will help Are you any good on the computer? Maybe you could put a couple of posters up in vets, dog groomers, pets at home, asda, tesco etc. And maybe some handouts at grandchildrens school. I think it is an amazing idea. Good for you xx

freespirit66

Afternoon everyone,

04624181/PEPPAPIG hi i am around i just feel i havent got much to say and feeling miserable with sore throat and headache, thankyou for asking though, i will suck it up and get back into it

PEPPAPIG that is a fantastic idea helping the animals with shoe boxes of food and toys, a really nice thing to do, you have already made a great start im sure you will be fine getting things arranged and sorted for it. I hope chemo no 8 was decluttered this week??

SARE i have made sloe gin before but i made it with fresh sloes so i am not much help im afraid, blackberry vodka is lovely and werthers vodka, both dead easy to make

Clumsy42

Hello everyone!

I am exhausted (might be a few typos cause of it). Just been into town to have lunch with a friend. All on my own (this sounds silly but I usually get a lift off my dad). Taxi one way, bus and walk the other. Might've been a bit too much for me! :eek:

Went in Home Bargains whilst I was out. They had lots of Halloween stuff. But more importantly they had a display of Christmas chocolates and sweets. Stuff like those £1ish tubes of Cadburys, Quality Street tubs, Cadburys stocking things and biscuit selections. Wish I could remember the prices but I'm brainfogging like mad right now.

Oooh, and I also noticed the other day that Cox and Cox have a Christmas section up on their website now. Too pricey for me but it all looks gorgeous. :T

Hope those of us feeling under the weather feel better soon.

murie

Hellooo- Im back!


Decorating 99.9%done, just mirrors on chimney breasts left to re hang, they are really heavy though so its a 2 men one co-ordinating woman job lol. I can honestly say I do not want to see another paint brush or roller for a looong time!! I am totally wiped out, arm is in bits but overall am very pleased with the results. I now have co- ordinating cat and dog- both are a walking paint chart for Dulux!


I haven't read back yet but its good to see that everyone is cracking on with their various projects, be it back to school, tiny decorating and charity organisation and de cluttering.


Peppa- hope all went well, that's a lovely idea that you are organising (but don't forget to delegate when needed x).


Sare Don't know about sloe gin but rhubarb vodka is lush and so easy- just sugar and rhubarb in a bottle, shake it every day for 2 weeks, strain and then imbibe- lovely!


Free- hope you feel better soon and less miserable. The cupcakes looked good even if they were a 'mare to do. No more baking for me for a while me thinks- in fact no more anything for a while while I try to recoup a bit of energy.


Mrs I and Vulpix- everything OK, you are very quiet. (unless you are on holiday etc).

Cherry24

Just downloaded my first Christmassy book of the year - The snowdrops at the star and sixpence so looking forward to snuggling up with that.

Glad everyone is getting on with clearing out and decorating. I need to do the same but really need the motivation at the moment. Maybe when the skip arrives in a couple of weeks, I will feel more up for it.

Clumsy - I've noticed Christmas chocs out too and even sampled one of my festive favourites the other day - Terry's chocolate orange

04621 - Sounds like you're all a bit run down and there's always bugs flying round at this time of year. Hope you all feel better and more relaxed soon.

Peppa - The charity appeal sounds lovely. There are lots of animals in rescue over Christmas so it's a lovely idea.

Treasurequeen

Peppa that is a great idea, for the animal rescue what about putting an ad up in supermarkets asda (well my local one) if it is for charity they put the advert in for free. or an ad in the local post office to spread the word. Also in my area we have community newsletters how about if you have one like this putting something in there. Also someone in my local area did something like this for waggy tails but she got together with knitters and made dog throws/ blankets out of old duvet covers etc. Putting posters up in churches and community centres is also a good idea. You could also set up a local community facebook page for your donations. You will be absolutely fine and I hope it all goes well.

Free sorry your not feeling great there are a lot of coughs and colds going around. Rest up and keep hydrated. Manuka honey and lemon is good to get rid of coughs. I got some great things in the health shop last time I was ill, I think they were called manuka drops took one before bed and the next morning I felt so much better.

Murie welcome back, that's great news about the decorating, I am still doing my parents house with them, had to take the curtains down and the sun is shining through the windows. scratch that blazing through the windows it gets so hot. Carpet has been ordered just painting tomorrow and then wallpapering next week. Should be finished in the next two weeks. The poor dog has got pain down one side of his back so I have got to give him a wipe down and a brush tonight and then a bath tomorrow.

nic2075

Sare65 wrote: »

Hi al!

I'm not sure if this is the right thread but you all seem like a friendly bunch so here goes!

I'm trying to be organised this Christmas and have decided to make my own alcoholic gifts. I'm a complete novice and a wally (not a good combination) and would appreciate any ideas. The idea of sloe gin appeals to me but my local trees are looking a bit sparse this year and I wondered if anyone has tried dried sloes? There's such a huge contradiction on the web as to whether they work and I'm loathe to spend money on gin that I'll then pour down the drain! any other easy ideas for alcoholic drinks would be fab!
Thank you all. X

Hi aNd welcome to the thread. Sorry ive no idea on sloes buti have make skittle vodka before. I had flip top bottles and split bottles of vodka between them and kept adding skittles and turning until they disolved. Make them in individual colours. Worked great. I know you can make limoncello too, but never tried it but do fancy trying as it's one of our favourites and would make a nice gift. I tend to make fudges and sweets as gifts as I know what I'm doing there.