OS Christmas Support thread & timetable

CAFCGirl

**purpleprincess** wrote:

Thank you!!! but closest one to me is Worthing!! Oh well!!

Purps'
Just wanted to say, I dont know what those store finders are playing at, but we've got both of those stores where I am, and surely I'm closer than Reading or Worthing?

moggins

I bought the mincemeat from Lidl last year and it was lovely.

Just to let everyone know, if you have a Jackass fan in the house Play.com is selling the complete Jackass collection including a special 4th disc in a presentation box for £9.99. Apparently it's normal retail price is £34.

boysmum3

Lillibet wrote:

I'm 31 & still terrible for hunting them out:o

33!!! And i can't help myself!!!!I live in different town to my mum now so i get surprises again at Christmas!!! When i moved in with OH i told him to never put pressies under tree before Xmas eve night otherwise -even though i don't want to!!! - i will look!
Have 3 kids and when they start peeking i know i will flip!!! Double standards or what!!

kiwichick

I am LOVING the idea of salt dough ornaments. Is there a recipe here? Also, once baked are they to be varnished or painted etc? How long do they keep?

full-time-mum

Blairweech wrote:

I was going to make some mincemeat, but not sure if I can be bothered to go to all the fuss now! My Mum said to just buy the expensive mincemeat from the supermarket - apparently it's got a lot better now.

Ca anybody vouch for this? If so which brand should I go for?

Used tesco luxury mincemeat last year (all I could get) and it was fine - I don't think it was that expensive either - it was all I could get at the time.

I'm going to be making mince pies for xmas presents as a couple of friends are on wheat-free diets and I have now mastered a satisfactory wheat-free pastry.

CAFCGirl

kiwichick wrote:

I am LOVING the idea of salt dough ornaments. Is there a recipe here? Also, once baked are they to be varnished or painted etc? How long do they keep?

Hi,

I've made my first bath with 200g plain flour and 100g salt, with 7oz of water. Gradual add water whilst mixing so it forms a dough, be careful not to make it too sticky though.

Rolled out onto a well floured surface and I used cookie cutters to get the shapes.
Baked off in an oven (although I think you can air dry them for 48 hours) gas mark 2 for 5 hours.

You can either paint with everyday poster paints, or for a more "artistic" colouring use watercolour paints.

My first batch havent come out too badly. although I must admit I filed off the edges on mine to smooth them out with a nail file

I've painted mine metallic silver with wilkinson poster paint (89p), and will be sticking them to some cheap pine frames that i got (3 for 80p, wilkinson) to give as presents.

I'm also going to make some Quaker style tree ornaments. Make sure whilst dough is "wet" to push cocktail stick thru, to give hole to hang from when dry.

I've read somewhere you can varnish with just a layer of PVA glue which dries clear. So the cheaper the better

HTH, and if anyone has got any other tips (mine aren't perfect just yet! lol) they'd be greatly received

Chipps

Baked off in an oven (although I think you can air dry them for 48 hours) gas mark 2 for 5 hours.

Just a thought, but could they be put in the oven after cooking & left overnight? I'd hate the thought of having my oven going for 5 hours - not just the electricity, but the noise of the fan going all that time, too!!!!

Linda32

HopeElizzy wrote:

I'd like opinions please..........
This week my dad, who has an allotment, gave me loads of plums and green beans and onions. Today I've made plum jam and green bean chutney. Can I give them to him for christmas? Would that just be too cheeky.....:o

I don't see a problem with that, I'd think it quite nice :T

moggins

Chipps wrote:

Just a thought, but could they be put in the oven after cooking & left overnight? I'd hate the thought of having my oven going for 5 hours - not just the electricity, but the noise of the fan going all that time, too!!!!

I'd certainly give that a try, if they air dry anyway then overnight in a cooling down oven should be okay, why don't you do a trial batch first?

lily_the_pink

Blairweech wrote:

I was going to make some mincemeat, but not sure if I can be bothered to go to all the fuss now! My Mum said to just buy the expensive mincemeat from the supermarket - apparently it's got a lot better now.

Ca anybody vouch for this? If so which brand should I go for?

Not sure about that - it is better than it used to though. It is probably a lot more economical to make a home made one than buy a really expensive mincemeat.

You could try adding some grated apple, lemon or orange zest and extra brandy to cheapish shop bought - this will make it taste better and more like home made.