General Chat

Oooh Chris, we love goose, and have had it for several Christmas's.
Julia in Derbyshire

Snap! Julia.

How about buying presents for the children only.
Or, agreeing to only spend a certain amount on each other say 5/10 pounds and no more.

Sue

we have stoped buying for adults, n once the kids get to 16 thy dnt get bought either, as it was starting to cost far to much, and even witht he kids we only spend £5-£10, each x

When my first child was born, now over 30 years ago, I suggested that we only bought for the children from then on as and when they came along. Just like stray.
Oh was I called a meany. But over the years they all had children and it worked well. The gifts for Birthdays and Christmas stopped aged 16 . Something special for 18 and engagements and weddings. I think it worked well.

Over the last couple of years my own 3 children suggested a secret santa, 8 names in a hat and one each taken out. Wish list to everyone on facebook. We set a limit and each person gets a nice gift, usually something needed / requested. Not a partner and usually kept secret.

It works for us.

Linda :o)

We used to buy several bags of different types of nuts in shells, but they started to be left for weeks so now it will be just a mixed bag plus a bag of chestnuts, which OH likes to roast sometimes.
I buy very few sweets, but we are often given family tins as gifts. I do buy orange and lemon slices and Turkish Delight. They are Christmas favourites for my daughters and not bought otherwise throughout the year.

I have a few jars of various pickles tucked away in readiness. Bought gradually during recent weeks they will come out for Boxing Day, when we have a cold meat and pickles lunch.

Gwyn

Well, for all my forward planning and organizational skills, things can go wrong here. But I must share this with you, because even we can laugh at this. Hopefully, this year will be 3rd. time lucky.
Two Christmas's ago, we went out to a posh eatery, Dickensian Inn, in the countryside, as we had done for many years, on Christmas Day. All was well, though my appetite was not great. Boxing Day loomed and I was in atrocious pain. By tea-time I was in A&E Morphed up to the eyeballs. This is a long-term complaint for which I am still awaiting an answer if not a cure.
Anyway, last year, we thought we would play safe, and not book a table at the Inn, but would stay at home 'just in case'. So, from the beginning of December, I made just about everything in Delia's cookbook of last year, and had it all in the freezer, at the ready. About 10 days before Christmas Day, we were both struck down with some sort of 'flu type bug. This went on as we drew nearer to Christmas Day. By Christmas Eve, I just knew we would not appreciate all the good food, and did not defrost anything, and, yes, I had the pains again, on Christmas Day this time.
One good thing though. The Paramedic that came, was the image of George Michael, complete with the teeth, good looks, and dark glasses. I do not know if my obs. and heartrate were because of him, but he was taking no chances, Morphed me up to the eyeballs, and sent me into A&E again.
So, yes I am hoping it is third year lucky, and manage to stay at home for Chrismas Day and Boxing Day, but OH is not putting money on it.
Hope everyone has a good one
Julia in Derbyshire

Not my fav time of the year........................it is not special anymore.

x

I will treat my brood of cats to a tin of turkey Whiskas,and that is the only concession that I make to xmas.

i always buy my cat a treat and she has a stocking hung with littlemans lol x

Four years ago, Daughter went to spend Christmas with her older Sisters some 230 miles away. So me and Hubby decided to do something different.
We decided to scrap Christmas lunch and have a take away curry.
As my Birthday is Christmas Eve, we went out to celebrate and ordered a mega curry to pick up around 11pm. This was put in the cold garage overnight and then in the fridge on Christmas morning.
After a lie in, present opening and a late cooked breakfast we went to our local pub, a first time for me, (apart from a few Christmases when I was licensee of a pub) We met up with our friends, and had a fab time. We couldn't believe the amount of folks who go to the pub on a Christmas Day lunchtime.
Our curry was absolutely wonderful, we had a little sleep and went out again on the night.

Daughter now has her own place and is having Christmas lunch with her future in Laws. I do not intend to spend any extra than the norm on food this Christmas. I too, am fed up with throwing 'past the best' food out. All the more ££'s to spend on the 5 Grandchildren.

Guess what we are doing this year? Curry anyone?

Now I know why I have,nt recieved my Shallots as promised,Cutting back.Hmmmm.Re the pool. Get a big one and stock it with Trout.Fresh Fish in the garden,With all your fresh food ,Should go down a treat.**M**.:o)))> you can even smoke them.pmsl.

Just read all this through,(After replying to Julia about the demise of my promised Pickled Shallots,Boo Hoo) and just wondered why so many of you ladies like a" Good Goose" at Christmas,SAurely in this day and age you can get one anytime.**M**.:o))>

Very droll, Merlin Babes. LOLOL
Julia in Derbyshire

Oh I am droll Julia,I,m really a Droll Troll.in disguise.Take care. **M**.:o))>

Sorry Merlin babes, just looking up from me Aran knitting, no you can't have one, Piers is on top of the list. Did you mean Christmas Goose availability in S****bury's. A**a, etc
I saw recently an item about BC and being goosed in Hyde Park, must have got the wrong meaning LOLOL
Julia in Derbyshire

IM MAKING SOME SMALL GIFTS.
MY WIRE STUFF
IM MAKING FLOWERS FOR DECORATIONS
ON THE WALL/TREE
OR TURN THEM
INTO WIRE BASKETS (favours at weddings)
OR PHOTO HOLDERS

PUT PHOTO OF THEM ON HERE

Re Christmas - oldest friends four children (all grown and 3 married) are J.W's and of course do not celebrate Christmas. However 3 or 4 days after Christmas they have a gettogether with dinner and trimmings. You could not tell the difference between 25th Dec and 28th Dec. Same occurs at birthdays. Mind you they save on presents,
Friend's birthday is 23 Dec and in 50 odd years she has never received a birthday/christmas/mothers day car or present from any of them.

Just had a look at Dizzi's photo .They look great Dizzi.What a lovely idea.

AND REAL CHEAP