sadietoo Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 Having gone Humbug, Humbug, I am pleased and relieved to say I have started my Christmas shopping already. Visited my oldest and bestest pal in Norfolk last weekend and picked her brains as to pressies for her two (my godchildren) so bought there and then, and left them with her...she similarly sent me home with pressies for my two (her godchildren)..I was also able to buy her present, and she bought me mine...well it's just easier. I am now filled with inspiration to go ahead and order/buy the rest of my presents.. I am also going to buy my christmas cards and write them out so that I don't end up doing it in a rush, with the Christmas Decs still in the box from the loft tapping their fingers impatiently....(we eventually got them up on 23 December last year...well I say we..I was at work and the kids decorated the house)...So all in all determined that Christmas will not be Chaotic this year....now where's that fingers crossed smilie? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted October 16, 2011 Share Posted October 16, 2011 I bought the Hester Blumenthal pine scented mince pies to try this weekend to test if it was worth getting some nearer Christmas. The icing sugar sprinkled over the top is pine scented and quite nice but the mince pies were a bit disappointing - too much pastry for my taste. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffin Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I've just had the first of many present wrapping sessions All safely tucked away now. Although why I thought it'd be a good idea to individually wrap 13 pairs of socks rather than divide them into just three presents is beyond me Last year I bought my girls sacks for their presents and each was embroidered with their name. On Christmas Day I folded them up neatly and put them somewhere safe to be used again........ You can guess the rest Oh well, there are a few cupboards that could do with tidying up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majuka Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 I've bought a fair few presents already and have even wrapped some of them! No idea what we are doing for Christmas Day though. We have family quite spread out so it is quite difficult. I think we will probably just spend it together, just the two of us and the animals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMARCH Posted October 17, 2011 Share Posted October 17, 2011 Today I've put together shoeboxes for the Link Romania Christmas appeal. I've been collecting bits for the last month and it's amazing what you can fit in. My girls do one each and it's good for them to know that some people are overjoyed to receive such basics as a Christmas gift. I found some Christmas wrapping paper too in the loft so now they're all ready to go. I will also soon order some naylorbase wreaths as some friends and I are going to have a wreath making session so I feel like I've finally started! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Today, I have been given a 'day off' by hubby! So I'm having a make & bake day. I want to make some tree decorations hopefully & whatever else I might fancy having a go at. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted October 18, 2011 Share Posted October 18, 2011 Second lot of chutney on the go Am hoping i might be able to get another lot done today as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted October 19, 2011 Share Posted October 19, 2011 I made my Christmas cake today I have also posted my gifts to the US so feel I am starting to get organised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazzy73 Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Bought my first chrissy pressie today feel a bit better and not so panicked hoping to knit of crochet some cute little xmas decorations for the tree any good patterns or sites anyone knows of.Would love to make chutney what sort do you make ClaireG would make great gifts for exteneded family me thinks mmmmmm might be surfing the web for lovely chrissmy things to make today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 20, 2011 Author Share Posted October 20, 2011 I am making the Pineapple Chutney that is featured in this months Good Food magazine,along with lots of other Christmas foodie gift makes. I think it sounds a bit different,& hopefully has that nice sweet & sourness to it. Next month there is Turkish Delight Vodka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 After years of keeping my cake recipe secret i gave it to my ED last year who made her first christmas cake. She weedled it out of me by saying I can't take the recipe with me to the grave , i have to part with it for another generation to enjoy. So after bragging to her sister about the recipe i had to part with it to a grumbling YD, over the chat link on FB i might add. This morning YD has bought a nice recipe book to copy out the recipe and keep it preserved and she will add all her other favorite things into the book and keep it on the bookshelf. Where does the ED keep her copy ? On a s"Ooops, word censored!" of paper in the kitchen drawer..... I won't be giving her the recipe again if she looses it she will have to beg her sister to part with it. Both are intent on cake baking this weekend . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ClaireG Posted October 21, 2011 Share Posted October 21, 2011 Bought my first chrissy pressie today feel a bit better and not so panicked hoping to knit of crochet some cute little xmas decorations for the tree any good patterns or sites anyone knows of.Would love to make chutney what sort do you make ClaireG would make great gifts for exteneded family me thinks mmmmmm might be surfing the web for lovely chrissmy things to make today. I make several types. I am very lucky in that i have a lot of fruit etc given to me. So far in the last couple of weeks, i've made a gingery pear one with walnuts, a beetroot and pear one, a lemon and mustard seed one and a cucumber and apple one. Today i'm doing a green tomato one. I've also been given a load of quinces so will be starting on quince cheeses and jellies soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Done quince brandy, quince jelly & quince paste, spicy green & red tomato chutney and I got the mincemeat made today. Christmas puddings next ( I do the puddings, mum does the cakes), and I have lebkuchen and other gingerbread type treats stored away from Lidl. Just the presents to buy... "Ooops, word censored!"ody has a clue what they want this year so some serious improvisation is in order Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted October 22, 2011 Author Share Posted October 22, 2011 The Delia Christmas cake kits were flying out today Nice new packaging this year too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sammiboo Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 another chuntey post! Im still chutneying, and i have started to 'dress' them into gifts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 Oooh that chutney looks lovely Sammiboo I am not giving any as Christmas presents as I don't think I have completely mastered chutney making yet....think it's all about getting the right balance between sweet and sour Perhaps next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LolaLayla Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 I am getting myself more organised by photoing the gifts I already have for people on my iPhone. Then when I go out and see something that I think I might buy I can check what I already have. My memory isn't what it used to be I find it particularly useful in buying for the children as I like to make them the same but find it is easier to buy things for DD and therefore she ends up with more than the DS's I also photo recipes I like so when I am in the supermarket I can get all the ingredients and not come home without the vital one. Better than lists which usually get left at home anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sage Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 Just made 15 mini Xmas cakes for hampers and work prezzys. Quite a bit of mixture left over so I filled muffin cases. Now got 12 Xmas cake buns, DD 3 has eaten 2 so far so they must be OK . Must go and hide the rest. Sage Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGirlsMum Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 Christmas cake fruit is soaking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whoopsie Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 Since our baby is due on Boxing Day, Christmas could be quite interesting in our house! I've only bought one present so far (for OH) and plan to make petit fours to give as gifts to our friends (i'll be on maternity leave so i'll actually have some time to faff around). Not sure whether to make a cake or not but we are spending the day itself (labour permitting!) with SIL and family. Really must think about presents for the nieces and nephew soon - it's difficult though as all our 'shopping plans' are centering around the baby at the moment!!!!! Going to have to start making lists I think! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted October 25, 2011 Share Posted October 25, 2011 OK, you have all got to me... I think I need to start thinking about Christmas, if I am going to make any gifts at all. Am planning on making the Christmas Cards, and then I need to have a think about what pressies I might make, and what I will need to buy. Money is a bit tight this year with new baby and me on maternity leave - but that is just a good excuse to be inventive! Am thinking some flavoured spirits (the spiced cranberry vodka might come back this year, which I got from this forum!) and fruits in some nice syrups etc... Will see what can be done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue_F Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 My mum and me were ghoing to go to hobby craft this morning to buy some stuff for Christmas but the car broke down Katy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted October 27, 2011 Share Posted October 27, 2011 I can hardly believe myself - I've booked a Christmas delivery from Waitrose online! Friday 23rd December - so far I've just put the turkey and sprouts in the trolley in order to reserve the slot, but I have made a big diary note to go back and review the order nearer the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 The two week half term is almost over and it has been quite productive. I have submitted my first assignment for my new OU course. Met up with some old friends and made some things for Christmas. I now have jars of pickled onions, mincemeat and cherry tomato and chilli jam, I have also made one Christmas cake and the fruit for the other is soaking and two Christmas puddings. I have also bought a few presents. Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 I've started my Christmas shopping! I saw a gorgeous pair of boots in the Debenham's sale, 25% off and with a gift card that I had been carrying around in my purse for yonks, they were a real bargain. Not often I get one of those. I shall wrap them up and give them to Him Indoors to give to me. I'll enjoy the surprise. As always. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...