Christmas 2018 - Mega index and Christmas chat!!!!

nannywindow

I didn't get the replacement eggs for my cake today because it was sooooo cold and as we have to venture out to the Drs tomorrow, I'll get them on the way home. I just hope I haven't stashed the missing eggs in some random cupboard :rotfl:.
I noticed over the weekend that someone on my street has put their Xmas decorations up already :eek:. It's far too early for me, I like to put them up around DD's birthday, Dec 7th.
I have spent the afternoon wrapping the presents for the DGC , now I only need a selection box each and they are finished :j.

I haven't started to write my Xmas cards yet though and I still have no idea what to get for my DH either :think:.

CaptainSparklez

Getting very excited about Christmas now. :j

Last year we moved into our house on 23rd Dec so it was very rushed and not as festive as I'd have liked. This year I've got about 75% of the prezzies bought already and I'll hopefully sort the last few this weekend (just my mum and the grandparents being difficult as usual). I downloaded the app that a PP suggested and it's amazing! It's taken my organisation to a whole new level.

Festive plan is;
1st Dec - DSS, DH and I put the tree up and then watch Christmassy movies

8th Dec - I'll wrap the prezzies whilst DH is working and DSS is at his mum's

15th Dec - Lots of Christmas baking with DSS and more Christmas movies

22nd Dec - Having friends over for Christmas nibbles and drinks

I feel all festive just thinking about it already! :xmastree:

freyasmum

We went to a gorgeous little German Christmas market that's been set up in a garden centre (Meadowcroft in Battlesbridge) this morning. It was lovely and some of the stuff was stunning - but incredibly expensive! I picked up a few bits and pieces for gifts and some decorations for the business.

I plan to make some chilli jam this evening as well as wrapping some more presents.

I feel even more Christmassy now :j

I just need to find a Christmas novel to read on our flight at the beginning of December

Cheapskate

Hello, everyone, just starting to get into the festive spirit now!

Bought the first presents today - re-useable coffee cups for my sister and adult DS (26); they both like their fancy coffee shop drinks now and again, so thought I give them ones they don't need to chuck.

We have far fewer people to buy for these days, due to a bit of a family rift in DH's family - bit sad, but it means less stress and expense for me. We're also simplifying year by year, and spending even less - not that we ever spent loads in the first place.

Made my Christmas, and will be using up all the brambles in the freezer for jam, some to be given to folk as gifts. I've also made plum brandy and rosehip gin, a little of which will be given to a couple of special friends who appreciate homemade booze! I'm going to make a crochet blanket for my best friend, who's been very poorly most of this year, and still is - I feel she needs something to cuddle up with when her chap's at work and she's feeling badly!

We also have croissants and Bucks Fizz on Christmas morning - longstanding tradition. My brother's coming for lunch, our adult children will all be in their own homes (we'll exchange gifts the 23rd or so), and we'll have a fairly gentle day watching a film and the Queen after lunch - we need calm this year.

A xo

Laura_Elsewhere

freyasmum wrote: »

I just need to find a Christmas novel to read

I have half a dozen now - some British Library Crime Classic reprints, and a couple of 'Miss Read' short novelettes, lovely cosy Christmassy books!

Laura_Elsewhere

I've got the homemade presents finished and delivered to close family now.

I'm trying to get brave enough to try making some of those wax-cotton food-wrap sheets that cost so much, to put inside cards to send to wider family... I've got everything, just haven't been brave enough!

The main thing I still want to do is a load of Stuff-Clearing before December starts, so that I can enjoy our lovely little flat, decorating and baking and singing away!

nannywindow

I finally made my last Christmas cake this afternoon, it's now in the oven and the house smells really christmassy. Still haven't found the missing eggs . I also purchased 2 boxes of mince pies this week and they both made it into the freezer. Phew ! it was touch and go though :rotfl:.

Wraithlady

Christmas cake will be made next weekend ( it's actually a recipe for Genoa cake, I'm not fond of the heavy, dark cake), this weekend is cracking on with the stuffed toys and t-shirts.

Toying with the idea of trying the cranberry and chilli jam from this month's Good Food magazine - we shall see.

Just learned I have the 2 days between Xmas and NY off work - woo-hoo! Nice long break.

freyasmum

Oh I do love a mince pie!

I'm just finishing off wrapping the presents that we already have and then it's just the small bits and pieces that we still have to buy to wrap.

VfM4meplse

I feel like I've been bombarded with signs of Christmas this weekend:

I nipped over to my parents' on Friday, and their neighbour was busy rigging up his roof-top illuminated Santa, Rudolph & Sleigh combo.

On Saturday, my niece entertained me with a trio of Christmas tunes she'd learned at pre-school: Christmas Pudding, When Santa was Stuck Up The Chimney and Jingle Bells.

We later went through some dried fruit together: little fingers picked out any stray stalks before much bigger hands doused them in whisky

I then advanced her knowledge of the concept of time through the medium of advent calendar (I won't see her before next Saturday).

This afternoon a well known supermarket prominently displayed an LED telling me that there are 30 sleeps until Christmas....

And my next door neighbours already have their decorations up!