4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Rhapsody]

Any to share people? Apart from locking your in-laws in the attic and going to the Caribbean?

 

My Xmas Top Tip is to make Cranberry sauce, bread sauce, red cabbage, and gravy base all in advance and freeze at least the week before, also invest in a veg steamer- it means you dont have a million pots and pans on the hob.

[madchickenlady]

My top tip is to get very, very drunk! Oh, and make sure someone else is cooking the meal

[The Dogmother]

I pre-prep too Rhapsody

[Lesley]

I couldn't do it without a three tier steamer for the veggies either - and we usually borrow another for the day.

 

I also get as much as i can in the freezer beforehand......and pray that we don't have a prolonged power cut!

[ClaireG]

I cheat and go to the inlaws or my parents! We're at my parents this year. Mum is a pre preper to and i have been helping her do various bits and pieces, i also supply an alternitive pud for those who don't like Christmas pudding.

[Cooks]

I love my steamer as well although mine is a two tier so I do have some saucepans but it is greatly reduced.

[Cinnamon]

I pre prep too. Its Cranberry Sauce day today

 

I also cheat a lot & get most everything from M&S,bung it in the freezer & hope I rmember to take it all out on Christmas Eve!

Their garnish packs of bacon,sausage & stuffing are a firm family favourite.

 

I am also a firm advocate of getting drunk/staying slightly tipsy & most importantly

DO NOT SPEND CHRISTMAS WITH ANYONE YOU DON'T REALLY,REALLY LIKE!

[chickencam]

LIke Cinnamon I buy ready done stuffing from either Waitrose or M&S and then prep all the veg the day before.

 

We also start the day with a sparkle in a glass and work together as much as we can. We don't go overboard on breakfast usually just toasted panatonne (sp) or croissants, and only nibble on bits for tea usually at about 10pm

[hillfamily]

Any to share people? Apart from locking your in-laws in the attic and going to the Caribbean?

 

 

Surely that's the only piece of advice anyone needs

 

 

I prepare as much in advance as possible and have a ready supply of champers close by

[dancing cloud]

Have a family with severe allergies and adopt two cats - "Well perhaps it's best if I come to you then" !

[..lay a little egg for me]

I cook the turkey first while we open presents and people go for walks etc., then when its cooked I keep it warm while I roast the potatoes, sausages etc and make gravy. I put the veggies to cook once the potatoes are ready. The turkey is much nicer for having rested and we eat whenever everything happens to be ready...usually about 3 pm. I put it on the carving dish and cover it with foil and lots of towels. It is still piping hot 2 hours later.

 

We have mince pies and champers half-way through the morning to keep us going until the main meal is ready so that helps to relax me too! My sisters-in-law will help with the spud peeling and veg prep so it is not too hard. I just have to get OH to lift the turkey out of the oven as it is too heavy for me!

[Janty]

We buy a Norfolk trilogy free range turkey from our butchers which is boned and already stuffed which takes some of the work away. This year he is stuffing the turkey with pheasant, wild duck and apricot stuffing.

 

I also pre-prep and use steamers.

[The Dogmother]

My Remoska comes in handy with all the cooking that needs doing. The cooker is rubbish, so I start everything earlier. Use a microwave steamer for the veggies and just

 

 

 

Make lists

[crazygal]

Have a family with severe allergies and adopt two cats - "Well perhaps it's best if I come to you then" !

 

Try cooking for one coeliac, one diabetic, and one very low fat diet person! All it takes is for someone to go vegetarian and I think I will scream.

 

Its going to be great fun in this household!!

 

I pre prep the veggies on Christmas Eve, and keep all drinks in our freezing entrance hall instead of the fridge to make way for food.

 

I have Christmas music on and drink a glass of sherry (never have it any other time!) while I do the lunch, and I NEVER turn down any offers of help!!

[BarbaraJ]

Yep LISTS lol

 

i buy all my sauces, make gravy from the turkey and also buy the M&S stuffing mix. I only have 6 for dinner but eldest dd boyfriend is a 6'4'' stocky rugby player so need 2 trays of potatoes

i prepare my veg first thing in morning (or the night before) when turkey + beef goes in then we sit and open pressies.

We also have a tradition of M&S profiterole dessert, 3 yrs now and kids insist we have it every yr now lol for those who don't want xmas pud.

 

tip for xmas tea , i will have 8 here and none really want another meal after dinner so we are going for the 3rd time

 

'the chocolate fountain' lots of fruit and mini doughnuts marshmallows etc

[Egluntyne]

Him Indoors does all the Christmas cooking.

 

No in-laws left now. We had 20 years of MIL at Christmas and it was hard going, to put it mildly.

 

At least she did the sprouts.

[clootie]

At least she did the sprouts.

 

[Nutmeg]

Him Indoors does all the Christmas cooking.

 

No in-laws left now. We had 20 years of MIL at Christmas and it was hard going, to put it mildly.

 

At least she did the sprouts.

 

 

 

Thank you! Made my day reading that!

 

My OH also does the cooking, we decided years ago to stop spending it with relatives we don't get on with and we always have the old stand-by

 

"Have to get back for the dog"!!

[Mrs Webmuppet]

I prepare everything in advance. My Mother has invited herself to us for Christmas Day...............but I have to go to work in the afternoon!

[missuscluck]

I have got 10 for dinner on Christmas day at the moment. This could well rise yet.

I have made red cabbage casserole ahead and its in the freezer. I also do my sprouts and blanch and freeze them. Its my birthday on Christmas eve and as a sprout hater I dont want to spend time with sprouts on my birthday.

Think I will just have to do the spuds and carrots on Christmas eve.

I find drink works for me Makes things soooo much easyer.

[Cooks]

my children decided a few years back that although they love seeing family over Christmas they prefer an intimate day with just us so that's how it is and will stay until they say otherwise, it's their day

 

I will prepare ahead of time what I can, I have a nut roast to make as I dont eat meat and I might make a nice cheesecake or something like this of somesort for a pudding change as the kids and hubby dont like xmas pudding

[jlo]

I have got 10 for dinner on Christmas day at the moment. This could well rise yet.

I have made red cabbage casserole ahead and its in the freezer. I also do my sprouts and blanch and freeze them. Its my birthday on Christmas eve and as a sprout hater I dont want to spend time with sprouts on my birthday.

Think I will just have to do the spuds and carrots on Christmas eve.

I find drink works for me Makes things soooo much easyer.

 

With you on the sprouts thing Missuscluck!

 

My first tip would be - make sure your cooker doesn't conk out a couple of weeks before Christmas! I have bought a new one but have been on tenterhooks waiting to see if "my man who does," will be able to "do" before Christmas Eve. (Going to MILs on the big day but my family is over for supper on Wednesday)

 

Done all my online food shopping weeks ago but will pop in for a couple of bits quite late on Christmas Eve. I have never had a problem with finding stuff then and it is usually reasonably quiet!

[Rhapsody]

This recipe some may find useful at Yuletide..

 

1 cup water

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. lemon juice

4 large eggs

1 cup of nuts

2 cups of dried fruit

1 bottle of Jose Cuervo Tequilla

 

Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Turn on the electric mixer...Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one tsp. of sugar...Beat again. At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still OK and did not go stale, try another cup, just in case. Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and then chuck the cup of dried fruit, Pick the ringin fruit off the floor...Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry lloooser with a drewscriver. Sample the cuervo to check for tonsisticity.

 

Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Who giveshz a peekle. Check on Mr. Jose again make shoore he's doin alright. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add atble add a spoon of sugar or somefink. Whatever u can find. Gresh the oven. Turn the cake 306 Degree and try not to fall over. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Finally, throw the bowl out finish the Jose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasshinrer. CHERRY MISTMAS EVRDY ALL ONE!!

[HENthusiastic]

My tip is to think of yourself and take the time you need. Always have a little job that needs doing which means you will need to be alone (or with a chosen person).

 

A quick walk to the local shop (if its open).

Go sort the chickens. (if people won't want to go with you).

Walk the dog / cat / child / guinipig.

Go upstairs and wrap a last minute present.

 

Spend that time doing something relaxing.

 

[HENthusiastic]

Rhapsody;

love the quote. I say AMEN to that!!!