Christmas Eve Traditions :-)

beertons · 10-11-2018 11:25pm

20 years ago, it used to be my most favourite night out in a certain pub. Lots of singing and drinks. These days, with wife and 2 kids, mass at 5, kids in bed by 730, and something nice on the telly. We do our pressies always the night before, so we exchange something small, then sort out stuff for the morning. M&S vintage cava, movie, then bed.

Commanchie · 10-11-2018 11:27pm

The whole family go to Xmas eve mass, then have a few casuals in the local

Commanchie · 10-11-2018 11:29pm

Mam of 4 wrote: »

Our Christmas Eve tradition was going down to my parents house in the afternoon, all the family met there , ham Turkey cooking , sneaky ham sandwich before heading home that evening

My mam died , we continued the tradition with my da, with my own kids bringing their little ones down to him . I'd cook the Christmas dinner in his house , we'd spend Christmas day with him too:)
He passed away a few weeks ago , so now we've new traditions to start , which is good too .

So , I'll update after Christmas and let ye know what the new tradition is !

Sorry to hear MO4. We always end up in same thread namely Making a Murderer. I hope the first xmas without your dad is ok.

Mam of 4 · 11-11-2018 1:26pm

Commanchie wrote: »

Sorry to hear MO4. We always end up in same thread namely Making a Murderer. I hope the first xmas without your dad is ok.

Lol re MaM , we're on the same side over there Commanchie , it can get quite heated !

Thank you , it'll be different , but hopefully all good in the end

Schwanz · 11-11-2018 3:59pm

Mam comes over and has a few brandys with my missus and we have Christmas Fm on.

Lovely atmosphere.

Pure joy

antodeco · 12-11-2018 5:49pm

Myself, wife and 2 kids always go into Grafton Street on Christmas Eve, the only exception was 2 years ago, we went in on the 23rd (my Father in law died who died 2 years ago, birthday is Christmas Eve.)
It used to be quite quiet and you'd have the random "famous" buskers, but the last 3 or 4 years it's been busy as everyone caught onto it. Normally try and pop my head into the church on Johnsons court (lane way halfway down Grafton Street).

My eldest is 15 and youngest is 3, so hopefully it's a tradition I can continue for years on (and hopefully my daughter will do it when she's older also).

Sundew · 12-11-2018 6:00pm

antodeco wrote: »

Myself, wife and 2 kids always go into Grafton Street on Christmas Eve, the only exception was 2 years ago, we went in on the 23rd (my Father in law died who died 2 years ago, birthday is Christmas Eve.)
It used to be quite quiet and you'd have the random "famous" buskers, but the last 3 or 4 years it's been busy as everyone caught onto it. Normally try and pop my head into the church on Johnsons court (lane way halfway down Grafton Street).

My eldest is 15 and youngest is 3, so hopefully it's a tradition I can continue for years on (and hopefully my daughter will do it when she's older also).

I Used to love doing this when I lived in Dublin and heading into the GPO for the Carol singing! St. Theresa’s in Clarendon St is particularly Christmasy!
Always made sure to pack some small boxes of sweets/ biscuits for the bus drivers and would give them to them getting off!

otnomart · 12-11-2018 6:19pm

Sundew wrote: »

Always made sure to pack some small boxes of sweets/ biscuits for the bus drivers and would give them to them getting off!

That is so thoughtful and heartwarming, Sundew !

Sundew · 12-11-2018 6:24pm

otnomart wrote: »

That is so thoughtful and heartwarming, Sundew !

Ah thanks Otnomart! I knew a lot of the drivers to see on my regular route so it was always great fun producing the goodies on Christmas Eve!

Deviso · 12-11-2018 7:56pm

antodeco wrote: »

Myself, wife and 2 kids always go into Grafton Street on Christmas Eve, the only exception was 2 years ago, we went in on the 23rd (my Father in law died who died 2 years ago, birthday is Christmas Eve.)
It used to be quite quiet and you'd have the random "famous" buskers, but the last 3 or 4 years it's been busy as everyone caught onto it. Normally try and pop my head into the church on Johnsons court (lane way halfway down Grafton Street).

My eldest is 15 and youngest is 3, so hopefully it's a tradition I can continue for years on (and hopefully my daughter will do it when she's older also).

I've been going into town every Christmas eve all my life (I'm 22). So had my mum (she's 46). I don't intend to let this tradition die.

applesock · 13-11-2018 8:41am

I love all the traditions , this year will be the first spent in our own home , we are trying to make our own traditions now. We will visit our parents that morning, and have the afternoon evening to ourselves.

Peatys · 13-11-2018 8:45am

Dickie10 wrote: »

do many people shut christmas down after st stephens day? i see this becoming the norm now. everything is back to work and routine on the 27th. with people treating new years day as just a bank holiday.

i really think this is terrible. the farming commuinty always have a strange christmas. basically christmas eve is just very like an ordinary saturday of a bank holidy weekend where you are doing a good few jobs so as to be free enough for 25th and 26th. by 27th your pretty much back full whack at it.

i have had a lot of pretty slavery work on christmas eves over the years apart from my own farming i have been power washing yards and stuff for uncles at 5 pm on a christmas eve , it kind of led to be depising the day in many ways . it always seemed to be a an excuse for people slaving you to work like a dog to get meanial jobs done for xmas day.

i dont really know why people fuss so much for one day. years ago i think xmas was seemed to kind of start on xmas eve then end new years day . the days in between were when the xmas feeling really was.

Christmas for us is from 1st November to 26th dec. Doesn't feel the same same at all 27th onwards.

Absolutely love the build up and the big day.

13-11-2018 4:51pm

For years now my partner and I have been cooking Christmas Eve dinner for my family. We used to make it in my mams house but for the first time last year we made it in our own house.

It's supposed to give my mam a break before the big day and it's just a nice bit of fun. My brothers would meet friends for pints on Christmas Eve but they always make sure they're home for the dinner. I have to be honest and admit that when I say my partner and I , what I really mean is he cooks an amazing three course meal and I flap about the kitchen trying to help but mostly getting in the way.

The best ever of these traditional Christmas Eve dinners was three Christmases ago. We had been trying to buy our house for over a year and tbh at this stage our families had all but assumed it wasn't happening and finally FINALLY we got the keys a few days before Christmas. We said nothing and after dinner on Christmas Eve I said we had news and held up the keys. My mam was so happy for us she actually started crying. They all knew how much we wanted this particular home. So that night we all headed over to it and we showed them around. I remember standing outside the back looking up at the stars with my older brother and feeling so so happy.

loveisdivine · 13-11-2018 5:23pm

We get a chinese and watch Planes, Trains & Automobiles. Might throw Great Outdoors into the mix this year too, another Dan Ackroyd classic!

aslanroars · 13-11-2018 9:48pm

My best mate comes down on Christmas eve with his two boys .So we head into town together plus my son .to look at the lights and get some food .Let the three boys pick out a present .then me and my son heads home to watch the snowman.me and my son's mom Seprated.we take it in turns to keep him on Xmas eve.either way we go to my sister to collect his presents .and either drive him to his mom.or we drive to mine to shower and get ready for bed .

Loughc · 08-10-2019 10:11pm

Time to bump one of the best threads on the forum

DvB · 09-10-2019 8:28am

Loughc wrote: »

Time to bump one of the best threads on the forum

Keep meaning to read this from start to finish again but never seem to get the time. One day though, soon!

TRS30 · 09-10-2019 8:40am

DvB wrote: »

Keep meaning to read this from start to finish again but never seem to get the time. One day though, soon!

Might take more than a day, 35 pages/ 8 years of stories :eek:

Just flicked back to the first couple of pages and interesting to see some name who are still here 8 years later.

Some real tear jerkers in there as well. Threads like this really make me appreciate how luck I am in certain things.

DavyD_83 · 09-10-2019 8:43am

I've decided to take the day of this year, so looking to start a new set of Christmas Eve daytime traditions.
Open to suggestions; 3 and 5yr old girls and 2 slightly older elves

We've had the Christmas Eve box with PJ's, reindeer food and a book for last few years, thanks to this thread.
And cuddling up on couch with fire lot, popcorn (or festive treats if we have something ready), hot chocolate and a movie.

CheerLouth · 09-10-2019 9:18am

A little potter around the shops can be nice to get the atmosphere - if you aren't under stress to get a last minute gift!

Bassfish · 21-10-2019 10:50am

I have a plan for this year (in my head at least) for Christmas eve with the wife and two smallies (will be seven months and nearly three at Xmas). Evening Mass for the music, Indian takeaway, open the Christmas eve boxes with the new pyjamas and leave out food for Santa, New pj's on and get them to bed. Stove lit, watch It's a wonderful life (last year was Die Hard), have a drop or two of nice whiskey. If we've time maybe a board game. The eldest fella was just starting to get the concept last year so hopefully this year he'll really get a lot out of it!

TRS30 · 21-10-2019 11:22am

Bassfish wrote: »

I have a plan for this year (in my head at least) for Christmas eve with the wife and two smallies (will be seven months and nearly three at Xmas). Evening Mass for the music, Indian takeaway, open the Christmas eve boxes with the new pyjamas and leave out food for Santa, New pj's on and get them to bed. Stove lit, watch It's a wonderful life (last year was Die Hard), have a drop or two of nice whiskey. If we've time maybe a board game. The eldest fella was just starting to get the concept last year so hopefully this year he'll really get a lot out of it!

Sounds like a really magical evening. I've promised myself I wouldn't spend it putting together bikes/doll houses or some other last minute present however it could well be out of my control!!!

Bassfish · 21-10-2019 1:06pm

TRS30 wrote: »

Sounds like a really magical evening. I've promised myself I wouldn't spend it putting together bikes/doll houses or some other last minute present however it could well be out of my control!!!

Santa's under strict instructions to only buy toys with little or no assembly required

Day Lewin · 22-10-2019 6:31pm

Bassfish wrote: »

I have a plan for this year (in my head at least) for Christmas eve with the wife and two smallies (will be seven months and nearly three at Xmas). Evening Mass for the music, Indian takeaway, open the Christmas eve boxes with the new pyjamas and leave out food for Santa, New pj's on and get them to bed. Stove lit, watch It's a wonderful life (last year was Die Hard), have a drop or two of nice whiskey. If we've time maybe a board game. The eldest fella was just starting to get the concept last year so hopefully this year he'll really get a lot out of it!

Sounds absolutely lovely!

Bassfish · 22-10-2019 7:13pm

Day Lewin wrote: »

Sounds absolutely lovely!

Thanks, the wife is telling me I'm being a bit ambitious with the board game so that might wait for Xmas night. Oh and she's demanding we watch Elf

Loughc · 22-10-2019 8:17pm

Bassfish wrote: »

Thanks, the wife is telling me I'm being a bit ambitious with the board game so that might wait for Xmas night. Oh and she's demanding we watch Elf

She is spot on about the board game ye will prob be too wrecked. Relax and enjoy the quiet time haha. Also definitely watch elf :pac:

gutenberg · 23-10-2019 10:23am

Will be a new experience for me as I'll be spending Christmas with the in-laws in Italy this year. It feels strange knowing I won't be at my parents' house with all the hustle & bustle, but I'll be making sure we have something nice planned! Will still try to bring bits from home, such as listening to the service of Nine Lessons & Carols from King's College Cambridge - Christmas carols are essential for me to get in the mood

antimatterx · 17-11-2019 3:31pm

Just giving this great thread a bump.

My Christmas eve tradition is going into town, just to wander around the shops, and soak in the Christmas atmosphere. I head in with my 2 brothers and my parents. We then head into a pub for a drink on the way home and pick up a takeaway.

I'm 23 and live at home as do my brothers (am the oldest of 3 boys), so my Christmas hasn't changed drastically all my life. I love it. Other Christmas season, but not Christmas eve traditions I've started over the last few years is 1) Going to the same restaurant each year with my family on the 23rd, and one Friday in December, me and my friends go out on a pub crawl. They're great fun!

Dickie10 · 18-11-2019 1:43pm

God looking through this, I really need to shape up! In the last 5-6 years as my sisters and brothers started having there own children and taking up all there time, I really find the whole xmas eve thing very dull if you just rely on the others to get things going.

Im 36 and single, im farming at home as well so Christmas eve tends to pass me by very quickly as purely an ordinary week day.

Xmas day is just like an ordinary enough sunday now which I don't really like either. Elderly parents have probabably seen more than their share of Christmas days to be overly excited either. neither if them were every overtly Christmassy, sure they took the spirit of the season but kind of seen it as just purely one day in the year and never got the whole hype thing which they kind of passed down to me.

I mean we are the type of house who wouldn't put up the tree until dec 20th. I think you can really lose a lot of xmas magic if your single and childless in your mid 30s, im finding that the last 2 or 3 years. farming leaves you very unchristmassy too because I suppose its like owning a factory that runs 24 hrs 7 days a week, xmas day is the same as every other day if u let it.

I'm not sure what I can do to pt more xmas spirit into the season. I love st Stephens day more than xmas day for watching racing and football though. anyone people agree were becoming a little bit like USA in that were trying to get back to business on dec 27th and new years is becoming a non event.

I actually love new years eve and new years day. one great aspect of not getting overly hyped for xmas is im beginning to look forward January more and more each year as I love watching the evenings get brighter by the day

flazio · 18-11-2019 1:45pm

Might not seem like the most obvious movie to go for but for me Muppet Christmas Carol is a must watch.

Timistry · 26-11-2019 11:27pm

My father is a butcher so the run in to Christmas is always busy. It always involves me working for the week in my own job and hightailing it home to help out. Its 3-4 12 hour days of Prep work before the rush on Xmas eve. I love it though as I get to meet people I may not have seen for months and everyone is in great spirits.

We normally close up at 4pm and my brother and I head to the pub for a few drinks then home for a family dinner in front of the fire. Then its back into town to meet my friends, many of whom I may not have seen in years.

Normally home then by 10 to sit by the fire with the parents to have the chats and wind down prior to heading off to bed for the big day. Needless to say we are all KO'd at that stage

dartboardio · 04-12-2019 2:16am

Usually get showered, dressed in new clothes and pack up as me and my mam head to my grannys for Christmas, as does the rest of the family. Usually head into town for a walk around and a drink or some food or do a bit of last minute shopping

Spend the day doing whatever we like then around 6/7 pm my aunties and uncle all head to grannys, by the time we arrive usually granny is making her famous chocolate mallows

we all chill out, catch up, all open one present each, we don't have a dinner on Christmas eve because we have turkey /ham paninis in the late evening and scoff sweets, crisps, crackers and cheese all evening!

Have a few drinks, find a funny film or comedian to watch and generally just catch up and have a laugh!

Christmas day, I'm 21 and my mam still does santa (in my grannys house as always has been done!) she will lay out all my surprises and presents on the sofa and come down to watch me open them. Then I give her her presents, the rest of the family then come downstairs in drabs and we sit around chatting eating chocolate while breakfast is cooked by usually grandad, we open grannys presents (the best ones haha!) and everyone exchanges gifts

Then eventually we get dressed and some neighbours call over for a couple of beers and a laugh, we have a late Christmas day dinner about 6pm. Then chill, drink snack watching TV for the evening and usually have an oul sing song once grandad goes to bed!

I think this year I'll start a Christmas eve tradition with my boyfriend as we don't see eachother until Stephens day.

DelBoy Trotter · 11-12-2019 4:36pm

I usually get up on Christmas Eve and go to the shops for the last few bits for dinner (fresh veg mainly). The afternoon was always quiet, and then would meet a few friends in the local that evening for a few pints. Life has changed a bit over the last few years with people moving away, or getting married, or having kids, or any combination of the above, so Christmas Eve evening pints haven't really been happening, but we have managed a few afternoon pints which have also been nice!

L1011 · 11-12-2019 9:00pm

I've always had to "work" Christmas Eve but it has varied by job and never too bad. Part of this is because I don't have kids so have volunteered for the worse shifts so those that do can have more useful time - and I get all the time off I want in June when their kids are still in school and holidays are cheap

Also got a huge amount of overtime in one past job.

Current place we always go for breakfast at about 10 in work in a hotel nearby (pre-booked so they're still serving) and generally off home immediately after. This moves to the 22/23rd as applicable if it's a weekend Christmas Eve. Fair few staff bring their kids in for this

A previous job I would drive in to the office and get the diversionary mobile phone for the emergency line and take it home by maybe 1 at worst, 11 more often. Only one single day did I have a call out - to Athlone! Traffic was extremely light and I was still home by 2

After that it's usually pick up a final set of fresh food from the shops, prep whatever, if any food I need to do for the next day - full dinner hosting this year - and down the pub.

Graces7 · 14-12-2019 10:41am

Sitting here with almost tears flowing; so much sheer honest beauty. Thank you.
.
Realising too how much for me now is tied up with memories of Christmas long past; old age can do this. Sweetnesses and darknesses.. small specks of memories floating in.

Family wise I am totally alone, and physically too. Just is how it is and that is fine. Solitude is a blessing in many ways. And is fruitful too, but I am very very tired these days and being with folk exhausts. I seek no other than what I have. Just me and my cats... fire in the hearth, food in the cupboards, work for my hands that I love and that will earn to feed needy folk,,.. oh and youtube of course!

But small traditions … Mostly food, and most that I have developed over the decades, And decorations. If the weather allows!

Deep faith cuts across the Christmas hype, cuts across the commercial flim flam.. leaves the breathtaking miracle of the Birth of Christ in all its utter holy beauty... ,and this year sees me islandbound so not near a shop in the entire year. Peace! But needing thought and care. Central for me was the Advent Wreath in the church here. And will be the Crib here.

And I am enjoying all the traditional food! And this year the suspense of what my Christmas dinner will be! Weather dependent,lol…

Last year was lovely. I was in Westport, and was welcomed at the Lunch Club Christmas dinner . I knew then I would not have the car any longer so it was a real farewell! Nostalgia! Rare for anyone to cook a meal for me! Looking at all the faces of old folk enjoying a shared meal. Chat and laughter.

All what Betjeman called " the sweet and silly things of Christmas" .. we need them; need the human warmth and cheer. The bright lights and the joys of children. Treats...Just the fun and brightness... Need to give. Knitting and sending the wee bells and angels..and reading posts here is a joy.. thank you

Working to help my "faith family" overseas who are deep in making Christmas for the multitude of homeless in Canada. Been like Santa's workshop here.... families who have almost nothing; three days food supplies. Toys...

And for me the season really starts at 3 pm on Christmas Eve, with the Nine Lessons and Carols from Kings College. All else set aside then.

Thank you. THANK YOU!

dartboardio · 15-12-2019 5:05am

Love christmas and can't wait to spend it with the family. My grandad was in hospital for the last two weeks and was let home today for a few hours to chill in his own house, he announced he absolutely 'LOVES' Christmas because all the family together. Really warmed my heart.

Honestly nothing like it! Christmas is the best time of year. Especially when you have those you love around you.

We have a new baby in the family, which is a huge deal as we haven't had a baby in the family since 15 years ago, so it has definitely brought alot of joy and happiness. It's gonna be a good one.

Hope everyone has an amazing Christmas. Only five more days of work to go!!

Xx

Carrie6OD · 24-12-2019 10:21am

Well here we are, the nicest day of the year. My kids woke up at 8.30 (lie on for us) and we are tucking into our Christmas Eve breakfast. Coffee / juice, Danish pastries and cinnamon rolls. Hoping for a nice, warm, cosy day.

Wishing you all a lovely Christmas Eve.

Graces7 · 24-12-2019 11:20am

Indeed here we are... Been ill all week so a sheer miracle all is ready.... All in the planning.

Decided to go with the old tradition; Advent until y'day so decorations and lights up TODAY

The lights will go up and on as darkness approaches this afternoon.. My tiny tree is up and so pretty..

I am enjoying doing it like this.. not leaving the island... It has been a lovely December away from the hype/... Really peaceful. The pattern of years to come.

Turkey breast ready to defrost; supervalu came good with a small turkey... actually they came very good with all my list! All I had to do was email the list... potatoes, parsnips, carrots, parboiled ready to roast. Trifle base done.

Oh and I have been out to pick marigolds from my small garden...

Hope all there will have a wonderful anticipatory day...

Carrie6OD wrote: »

Well here we are, the nicest day of the year. My kids woke up at 8.30 (lie on for us) and we are tucking into our Christmas Eve breakfast. Coffee / juice, Danish pastries and cinnamon rolls. Hoping for a nice, warm, cosy day.

Wishing you all a lovely Christmas Eve.

Soups123 · 24-12-2019 12:25pm

We wake up to the final morning of Elf, who usually bring a a candy cane for the kids.

After breakfast we work with the kids to get there bedrooms ready, helping us clean and putting on new covers.

We pay a quick visit to the grannies and then it’s down to the Phoenix Park for one last check on the Reindeers we’ve been checking up on for about 4 weeks. Into one of the Mullingar, Comiskey's or The Hole in the wall for a hot chocolate and sneaky Guinness for me

.

Last it’s off to the cinema. This years movie is Star Trek!

Then home for showers new PJs and bed. That’s our now 10 year plus tradition

Loughc · 01-10-2020 10:18am

Time for the annual bump to one of the best threads

TRS30 · 01-10-2020 10:34am

Loughc wrote: »

Time for the annual bump to one of the best threads

Nice, loved this thread last year.

DenMan · 01-10-2020 10:37am

Beautiful October day.

Bassfish · 01-10-2020 11:34am

I'm relieved that I won't feel obliges to bring the kids to mass Christmas Eve this year! Last year was a schit show! Church was densely packed, screaming kids everywhere, three elderly people were carried out after collapsing, all while the priest went on for an hour and 20 minutes thanking practically everyone in the parish by name. Kids stressed, late going to bed, mam and dad stressed.
Not happening this year! Will do the obligatory visits in the morning. Home to do some cooking and have a nice chilled day, maybe take the kids for a long walk to wear them out. A boardgame and a nice drop of something for mam and dad and into bed before santa arrives!
(and yes, I love Christmas :P)

Neyite · 01-10-2020 11:35am

Last year we trialled making a gingerbread house on Christmas Eve, and it's a tradition we'll be keeping. I made the dough ahead have it frozen. Then the plan is to bake the shapes on the day.

Last year OH and Elf Óg assembled and decorated it at the kitchen table while I was making dinner nearby with Christmas songs on in the background, and sipping on something suitably Christmassy.

It was just such a nice family time.

PaulT21 · 01-10-2020 1:32pm

Neyite wrote: »

Last year we trialled making a gingerbread house on Christmas Eve, and it's a tradition we'll be keeping. I made the dough ahead have it frozen. Then the plan is to bake the shapes on the day.

Last year OH and Elf Óg assembled and decorated it at the kitchen table while I was making dinner nearby with Christmas songs on in the background, and sipping on something suitably Christmassy.

It was just such a nice family time.

That does sound idyllic Neyite:D

Dickie10 · 01-10-2020 10:16pm

had an awful xmas eve last year, my father got a stroke on the 21st december. spent 3 weeks in hospital. thank god had no ill effects and back in great health now. spent xmas eve last year in the hospital til 11:30 pm, christ its a lonely place. i will always remember walking out at 11:30 watching a young mother run in with her 5 year old in her arms obviously sick with something, horrible to see on christmas eve

jellybear · 01-10-2020 10:25pm

We've done presents on Christmas Eve for years now so we don't have to get up early on Christmas day

Since I've moved out we still do that so Christmas Eve is spent in my parent's house.

Christmas Eve 2018 I told my family I was pregnant...my parent's got cups with a little message on them and socks with Granny and Grandad on them so Christmas Eve will always be one of my favourite days of the year.

This year my little fella will be 16 months so will have a bit more of an idea of what's going on, compared to last year! Myself, hubby and him will chill out at home, bring Milo our dog for a walk, have dinner and head down to my parent's for an hour or two. Bed for little man and we might watch a movie and eat loads of goodies

I might do a few bits to prep for dinner the next day. I absolutely love Christmas Eve for the chilled out family time...bliss

mirrorwall14 · 01-10-2020 10:39pm

Neyite wrote: »

Last year we trialled making a gingerbread house on Christmas Eve, and it's a tradition we'll be keeping. I made the dough ahead have it frozen. Then the plan is to bake the shapes on the day.

Last year OH and Elf Óg assembled and decorated it at the kitchen table while I was making dinner nearby with Christmas songs on in the background, and sipping on something suitably Christmassy.

It was just such a nice family time.

God thats a fab idea. Did you use a template? I'd be nervous but I love gingerbread!

tscul32 · 01-10-2020 10:46pm

Gingerbread houses are great fun. The last day of school before the hols I collected my own 3 boys and my 2 nieces and we had a boys against girls decorating session. One was artistically decorated to look like a symmetric, pretty house and the other was smeared with icing and had as many sweets and sprinkles stuck to it as was possible, no visible gingerbread. Unfortunately for me, the pretty one went home with my nieces. The boys chipped away at the other one over the next week. Great fun though.

Neyite · 02-10-2020 10:36am

mirrorwall14 wrote: »

God thats a fab idea. Did you use a template? I'd be nervous but I love gingerbread!

As far as I can recall, Donal Skehan has the recipe and the template on his website.
Honestly, it's simple to do. The dough can get made ahead of time - mines already in the freezer. Then you're just rolling it out and tracing out the template. They bake very quickly - 10 mins or so, and the dough is plentiful so you can make extra walls/roof panels in case of breakages.

You'll also need royal icing to set hard for assembly, and Foxes fruits candy crushed for window panes, different piping nozzles & bag. You can even stock up on the various candy that you want to use now.

Christmas Eve Traditions :-)

Comments

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" - Charles Dickens