Preparing for Christmas

Posy

How is everyone getting along with their Christmas plans?

I have almost half my presents bought but no wrapping paper purchased yet.

And tonight, I will be soaking a nice big bowl of fruit in preparation making the Christmas cake tomorrow!!

The Christmas lights going up in parts of Dublin, the chill in the air and the dark evenings are all making me feel VERY festive right now!

Alicat

You are SO organised Posy! :eek:

I've bought nothing, but I'm eyeing up wrapping paper and tags and stuff from M&S. I hate having to buy crappy paper because I've left it too late. That's it so far, other than messing around with decorations! I really should start shopping soon to spread out the cost of Christmas. I always end up completely broke!

My mum and I don't make the cakes until near the end of November or even later.

lisa_celtic

All my presents got as we're going to Vegas for new years so need to save for that.

Wrapped 5 presents today... Dunnes Santa wrapping paper.

Christmas cards ordered from: http://www.dreamingonastar.com/ a fellow boardsie

Christmas jumpers got...

Christmas menu planned for our mini Christmas on November 17th ( some family are away for Xmas)

Tree going up November 16th

Toy show night the 30th

Booked work Christmas party

So 100% ready just have to wait a few weeks till us Christmas folk can go public!!

Posy

Wow, Lisa, that's amazingly organised!! :eek:
What Christmas jumper did you get?

Alicat wrote: »

I hate having to buy crappy paper because I've left it too late.

I love really nice, good quality wrapping paper.
I hate the cheap '10 sheets for a euro' type stuff. Having to put about 7 layers of the because otherwise you can still see what's in the box. How it rips if you just look at it!
Nicely wrapped in good quality paper makes a big difference to how a gift looks I think.

lisa_celtic

Posy wrote: »

Wow, Lisa, that's amazingly organised!! :eek:
What Christmas jumper did you get?

The green snowman jumper heatons €20 pic on jumper thread

Alicat

Lisa, you're making me feel very inadequate! :eek:

Posy wrote: »

I love really nice, good quality wrapping paper.
I hate the cheap '10 sheets for a euro' type stuff. Having to put about 7 layers of the because otherwise you can still see what's in the box. How it rips if you just look at it!
Nicely wrapped in good quality paper makes a big difference to how a gift looks I think.

Doesn't it fold really well at the edges? Everything looks so much neater wrapped in a stiff, good quality paper!

I've been wrapping professionally (:p :pac:) since I was fifteen and got a part-time Christmas job in a pharmacy as a gift wrapper. That was my job for 3/4 days. Wrapping presents. AMAZING. I got paid by the pharmacy and got tips from people, sometimes as much as a fiver for one present :eek:

Posy

Wow, I've never met a professional gift wrapper before!

I hope the pharmacy had good paper.


My sultanas/raisins/cranberries etc are all soaking in fruit juice and whiskey now. Operation 'make the Christmas cake' will be completed some time tomorrow, all going well.

suomi

When I was a teenager I always used to apply for gift wrapping jobs but I never got one. It would've been so much fun. I love wrapping presents, sometimes after wrapping them I unwrap them to see how they'll look and then wrap them again.

I haven't started any Christmas preparations yet apart from planning what I'll get for people. I think I'll wait until my birthday in November.

hdowney

lisa_celtic wrote: »

The green snowman jumper heatons €20 pic on jumper thread

I was thinking of getting that one

So no presents bought yet - no idea what is wanted and no money so....
I need to buy some jars to put my mincemeat in (I'd rather make my own as I am finding it harder and harder to get mincemeat that fits my standards!!!). We don't go through enough jarred produce quick enough to keep jars and the mammy chucked the last marmalade jar out cos she 'forgot' I wanted it :rolleyes::eek::mad::(
So I hope to make the mincemeat at least by early November so it can soak away and become lovelier for when I make the pies in December.
Don't eat Christmas cake so no bothers there.
The pudding is made. In fact I made it last year. In fact last year I made last years, this years AND next years!! SO MUCH PUDDING INGREDIENTS!
I have far to many decorations for my timy house so I am not allowed to buy any more, so the decs are all ready to go. I am going to put the tree up as early as I can get away with. I am aiming for November!!!!!!

Ecarg

I've most of the presents bought, a few wrapped. Christmas cards made and bought.
They have the lights up in Limerick City centre, and a house locally that we call the 'Christmas House' has started it's mammoth task of assembling all it's outdoor decorations, so it's really starting to creep up on us. Oh and our book club has booked a Christmas meal out for December.
I saw those Christmas jumpers in Heatons yesterday and was sorely tempted by the black one with holly .

lisa_celtic

hdowney wrote: »

I am going to put the tree up as early as I can get away with. I am aiming for November!!!!!!

November 16th

Posy

Ecarg wrote: »

They have the lights up in Limerick City centre, and a house locally that we call the 'Christmas House' has started it's mammoth task of assembling all it's outdoor decorations, so it's really starting to creep up on us.

I love the ' Christmas House!' I think almost every neighbourhood has one.

DreaminOnAStar

lisa_celtic wrote: »

All my presents got as we're going to Vegas for new years so need to save for that.

Wrapped 5 presents today... Dunnes Santa wrapping paper.

Christmas cards ordered from: http://www.dreamingonastar.com/ a fellow boardsie

Christmas jumpers got...

Christmas menu planned for our mini Christmas on November 17th ( some family are away for Xmas)

Tree going up November 16th

Toy show night the 30th

Booked work Christmas party

So 100% ready just have to wait a few weeks till us Christmas folk can go public!!

OMG Thank you so much Lisa for mentioning my website. I am very flattered.
I don't really want to advertise myself here, but the shop is down at the moment and will be up and running Sunday/Monday hopefully. I'm only saying that, because I know people came from boards.ie to take a look.

Anyway fair play to everyone for getting their preparation done early. I love Christmas and think about it well out of season but I'm not that organised at all.

Posy

I just like to be organised so I can get excited when December comes around, not sick with fear that I have nothing done!!

Cunning Stunt

Hi

For personal reasons, Christmas 2011 was the worst ever for me and my other half. This year I am making a special effort to get us into the Christmas buzz. 2 weeks ago I baked my very first Christmas cake (and now I am panicking as I didn't soak the fruit like Posy mentions...).
Then last weekend was my first ever attempt at homemade mince pie filling. I live abroad and had to order the shredded suet from the Uk, but it all worked out fine. Both the cake and the jars of mince pie filling are now sitting down in the cellar and I hope they will be nice and tasty when we finally get to taste them, closer to Christmas.

Speaking of wrapping paper, has anyone tried the Ikea wrapping paper? I would just like to know what the quality is like. Saw some nice paper in the Ikea christmas brochure...

hdowney

Posy, I have decided to do a Christmas Cake this year, can you gimme a recipe?

Toto Wolfcastle

Cunning Stunt wrote: »

Speaking of wrapping paper, has anyone tried the Ikea wrapping paper? I would just like to know what the quality is like. Saw some nice paper in the Ikea christmas brochure...

I got some last year. It's quite thin. I'd use it for anything square or rectangular but not for anything pointy or anything that bends easily because it tears quite easily.

Posy

hdowney wrote: »

Posy, I have decided to do a Christmas Cake this year, can you gimme a recipe?

I used this recipe before and it turned out pretty good so I have repeated it this year.
I generally vary the fruit according to people's preferences- I put golden raisins and dried cranberries in it this year- my lot are not lovers of cherries!

There are lots of Christmas cake recipes around though, to suit different people's tastes; like Rachel Allen/Odlums/Jamie Oliver/Nigella etc.. :cool:

Alicat

Just found out we'll have 24 people for Christmas Dinner this year :eek:

*faints*

Posy

Dear God, what size dining table do you have?! :eek:

Alicat

We'll need to pull out all the tables I think! Cover them all in the same table cloth and it won't matter that they're all slightly different.

Posy

Good plan! Holy crap- that's a lot of people! I'd have a 'bring your own turkey dinner' rule if that was me!! :pac:

Alicat

We normally do 16-18 people, but 24 is pushing it even for us :eek: We do our dinner on Christmas Eve so our guests will still probably have their own on Christmas Day itself, so it's not like it has to be perfect. Just want to make it fun!

Mum said, "We'll have to get a folder." I LOVE folders :pac:

Posy

Alicat wrote: »

Mum said, "We'll have to get a folder." I LOVE folders :pac:

Oh God, me too!

leahyl

Oh I'd love to be having loads of people over for Christmas dinner - sounds like sooo much fun:pac:

fishy fishy

DreaminOnAStar wrote: »

OMG Thank you so much Lisa for mentioning my website. I am very flattered.
I don't really want to advertise myself here, but the shop is down at the moment and will be up and running Sunday/Monday hopefully. I'm only saying that, because I know people came from boards.ie to take a look.

Anyway fair play to everyone for getting their preparation done early. I love Christmas and think about it well out of season but I'm not that organised at all.

hi dreamin - do you only have the one design of Christmas card( happy snow day) or do you have a selection - would love some alternative cards to the usual ones.

fishy fishy

Cunning Stunt wrote: »

Hi

For personal reasons, Christmas 2011 was the worst ever for me and my other half. This year I am making a special effort to get us into the Christmas buzz. 2 weeks ago I baked my very first Christmas cake (and now I am panicking as I didn't soak the fruit like Posy mentions...).
Then last weekend was my first ever attempt at homemade mince pie filling. I live abroad and had to order the shredded suet from the Uk, but it all worked out fine. Both the cake and the jars of mince pie filling are now sitting down in the cellar and I hope they will be nice and tasty when we finally get to taste them, closer to Christmas.

Speaking of wrapping paper, has anyone tried the Ikea wrapping paper? I would just like to know what the quality is like. Saw some nice paper in the Ikea christmas brochure...

hope you have a wonderful christmas this year.

Princess Peach

I am finding it hard to prepare for Christmas in Ireland while abroad!

Yesterday I sent my dad a recipe to make me up some homemade blackberry liqueur, when he said he was freezing some for me. Best to let it sit a few months

And I've been knitting away on some things to give as gifts.

Might have to leave most of my shopping for last minute, can't fit much in my suitcases So unlike me!

Other than that, just been making plans to meet up with friends and family I haven't seen all year while I am home. There's a Christmas carnival in my hometown, so excited

I've been wrapping professionally ( ) since I was fifteen and got a part-time Christmas job in a pharmacy as a gift wrapper. That was my job for 3/4 days. Wrapping presents. AMAZING. I got paid by the pharmacy and got tips from people, sometimes as much as a fiver for one present

I also used to be a professional gift wrapper at the book store I used to work. I do some amazing bows!!

lazygal

I've the mincemeat soaking for mince pies and we've already cut into my Christmas cake, I think I'll be making another one before long! I've also bought a few decorations and I've done some recce for presents. Can't wait until the Christmas cookery shows come on TV.

MrsF2011

Wow I am so happy I came across this forum my friends think I'm mad for talking about Xmas preparations anytime before December! I have the kids dressed and half of pressies in. Menu is planned have started on baking and as for wrapping paper and tags haven't bought any yet but been eyeing up Next and M&S. I like mine to be all colour coordinated with tree decorations. Hate when you run out on you're last couple of presents and have to settle for different paper because you either don't have the time to go shopping for the exact paper or it'sold out!

Roll on Xmas 2012 everyone

Posy

Welcome.
You'll fit right in here.

DreaminOnAStar

fishy fishy wrote: »

hi dreamin - do you only have the one design of Christmas card( happy snow day) or do you have a selection - would love some alternative cards to the usual ones.

Hi Fishy Fishy, I'm sending you a PM.

Also I would just like to let people know, as I have had a few enquiries, that my shop is still down and hoping to have it up at the weekend.

Anyway I still haven't down much preparation for Christmas but I'm delighted there's so much stuff in the shops. It's such a treat window shopping!

Cunning Stunt

I just unwrapped my christmas cake to feed it with some sherry. I was actually nervous and hoping it wouldn't be gone off or something, but the lovely smell of Christmas hit me as soon as I took off the wrapping. It smells just like a Christmas cake should It still looks lovely and moist, so I think it is preserving OK down in the cellar.

Am chuffed with my first xmas cake

chickenbutt

Just put in an order for some Christmas gifts online (I hate the mad rush in stores)... Getting excited now for the holiday season!! And making a list of Christmas related movies to watch leading up to the big day - It's a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, Die Hard, Rocky IV, etc... :pac:

byhookorbycrook

Christmas gift bags, tags, wrapping paper and cards in Aldi this week. Some cards that you can be your own photos into as well.Nice Winnie the pooh, Tiggers and Eey-ores for €6.99.All stocked here!

hdowney

Thanks for the recipe Posy. I'm the same. I vary things like fruit, nuts and peels to peoples preference.

Alicat I would LOVE to be cooking for all them people

Posy

I STILL haven't got all my presents.
*hyperventilates*

suomi

I guess I've started my Christmas preparations too, I ordered Christmassy curtains online yesterday and also I've made chili jam that will be a part of a hamper I'm going to give my parents on Christmas. :cool:

Cunning Stunt

suomi wrote: »

I guess I've started my Christmas preparations too, I ordered Christmassy curtains online yesterday and also I've made chili jam that will be a part of a hamper I'm going to give my parents on Christmas. :cool:

Hey Suomi, is it the Nigella chilli jam?
Was thinking of giving that a go - my father in law loooves chilli - puts chilli sauce on everything! Was thinking of making some chilli jam for him.
Do you know how long it keeps? Am dying to try it soon, but not if it won't keep for Christmas...

suomi

Cunning Stunt wrote: »

Hey Suomi, is it the Nigella chilli jam?
Was thinking of giving that a go - my father in law loooves chilli - puts chilli sauce on everything! Was thinking of making some chilli jam for him.
Do you know how long it keeps? Am dying to try it soon, but not if it won't keep for Christmas...

Yeah it is, I got the recipe here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056110995 If I remember right, it keeps in the fridge unopened for up to a year and a few months after it's been opened. It's a bit sweet and and more like a sauce than a jam, although it does get thicker after a while. But it'll definitely keep until Christmas, in fact I don't think you're supposed to open it for a few weeks after making it so the flavours will develop properly or something. It's very easy to make too!

ibarelycare

Alicat wrote: »

Lisa, you're making me feel very inadequate! :eek:




Doesn't it fold really well at the edges? Everything looks so much neater wrapped in a stiff, good quality paper!

I've been wrapping professionally (:p :pac:) since I was fifteen and got a part-time Christmas job in a pharmacy as a gift wrapper. That was my job for 3/4 days. Wrapping presents. AMAZING. I got paid by the pharmacy and got tips from people, sometimes as much as a fiver for one present :eek:

That's my dream job :eek: I LOVE Christmas wrapping and have a different theme every year!

I've posted about my wrapping in here a few times. 3 years ago I had black shiny paper with gold bows and ribbons of all different shapes and sizes. Two years ago I had plain brown package paper with red ribbons and tied on old-fashioned wooden Christmas tree decorations instead of gift tags (idea robbed from tfak85!) Last year I had silver paper with beautiful green ribbon, and I tied on a few little jingle bells to each gift. (Inspired by this idea. I didn't bother with the sheet music but the silver paper was nearly as lovely!)


So once again I'm looking for ideas to blow my family away (They're starting to copy me with fancy wrapping but I don't want to be beaten )

chickenbutt

ibarelycare wrote: »

That's my dream job :eek: I LOVE Christmas wrapping and have a different theme every year!

I've posted about my wrapping in here a few times. 3 years ago I had black shiny paper with gold bows and ribbons of all different shapes and sizes. Two years ago I had plain brown package paper with red ribbons and tied on old-fashioned wooden Christmas tree decorations instead of gift tags (idea robbed from tfak85!) Last year I had silver paper with beautiful green ribbon, and I tied on a few little jingle bells to each gift. (Inspired by this idea. I didn't bother with the sheet music but the silver paper was nearly as lovely!)


So once again I'm looking for ideas to blow my family away (They're starting to copy me with fancy wrapping but I don't want to be beaten )

I like the jingle bells idea I'm a horrible present wrapper. I end up getting bags and throwing balls of tissue paper on top. Come to think of it, every time we have Christmas at my grandmother's there is a box or two of tissue paper, bows, ribbons, tags, etc, that we've saved and reused over the years to keep costs down... lol, it's seriously the same bows from ~15 years ago.

Posy

I love the plain paper look in Christmas gifts. Like plain green with a red bow, red with a black bow etc...

You could go with a red/green theme- or use tartan wrapping paper with big red or green bows? Or plain red paper with big tartan bows? Or plain white boxes/paper with different coloured ribbon for each person.
Or a silver and blue theme can also look lovely.

I'm sure you'll come up with something great, ibarelycare- your presents sound amazing!

ibarelycare

Posy wrote: »

I love the plain paper look in Christmas gifts. Like plain green with a red bow, red with a black bow etc...

You could go with a red/green theme- or use tartan wrapping paper with big red or green bows? Or plain red paper with big tartan bows? Or plain white boxes/paper with different coloured ribbon for each person.
Or a silver and blue theme can also look lovely.

I'm sure you'll come up with something great, ibarelycare- your presents sound amazing!

Aw thanks I won't get to show off so much this year as we're doing KK for the first year ever and I've only a handful outside my family to buy for More money for wrapping paper and ribbons though

I agree about the plain paper, it's so much nicer! I'm the same with birthdays, I usually get a plain coloured paper, then a bow with a design.

One of my ideas I was thinking of for this year was to get some cream or brown paper and make my own stamps with sponges or potatoes so I could design my own paper...seems kinda messy though. But it would be cool to personalise everyone's! I'll have to get my thinking cap on

lisa_celtic

Today I ordered my 7ft Christmas tree and two sets of kitchen plates a set of deep red and black my old 6ft one can go in the kitchen so two trees this year so excited!!

omb0wyn5ehpij9

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Christmas gift bags, tags, wrapping paper and cards in Aldi this week. Some cards that you can be your own photos into as well.Nice Winnie the pooh, Tiggers and Eey-ores for €6.99.All stocked here!

I might drop in tomorrow and try get a few bits. I always leave the wrapping paper, tags, etc. til the very end!

Toto Wolfcastle

I bought a star for the top of the tree in Ikea the other day. It's not bad for €2. My first Christmas purchase of the year. I don't think it will fit on top of the tree but my husband reckons it might.

touts

Cake made. Cut a slice in it to see if it was good and it looks to be the best one I ever made. It took some willpower not to eat the test slice and just put it back so the cake can stay whole for decorating in a few weeks.

DreaminOnAStar

Bobblehead Panda wrote: »

I bought a star for the top of the tree in Ikea the other day. It's not bad for €2. My first Christmas purchase of the year. I don't think it will fit on top of the tree but my husband reckons it might.

OMG IKEA have their stuff in already? I bought a lot of Christmas stuff last year from there. Had really lovely stuff. Got a Santa Advent calendar:



And some funky lights that look like falling snow when you put them in the window! (Not the best photo, but I had mine at the window and they looked so cool!)

Lucyfur

I did not know this forum existed :eek::eek::eek:

I love it in here already.

*gets mulled wine and makes oneself comfy*

Posy

Lucyfur wrote: »

I did not know this forum existed :eek::eek::eek:

I can't believe that!! :eek:
This is the best forum on boards! (or maybe the second best)