This Christmas I learnt........

I learnt that my hunch was right not to buy chocolates or sweets in preparation for xmas as we were given quite enough thank you for gifts!

I learnt not to trust DH, when he says that all the Christmas lights are off, before going away overnight.
We were lucky he didn't burn the house down!

PS, cranberry sauce is a delicious accompaniment for pâté and oatcakes.

I Learned that my Mother in Law can do far less when she has an audience than when she doesn’t know anyone is watching her.

Christmas is just another day. Spent my afternoon visiting my 90 yr old mother.
I had bought enough food to make our christmas lunch but she was in hospital from the wednesday. There was little celebration on the ward, apoarently no carols etc. I took her a couple of presents and sweets. Most other ladies were just asleep.
I drove to see a friend who wasnt in and went home, passing the lighted windows full of happy people.
Home to a cold house. Looking forward to the end of this charade.
I wont celebrate christmas again but may spend time celebrating the solstice thanking our wonderful mother earth for our lives.
I must add that for lunch that day i was at my daughters which was lovely and i saw my little granddaughter but i had to dash off to do my visit. I saw a world beyond festivities.

That Christmas comes and Christmas goes. You don't need to panic from September over presents it doesn't,t matter what anyone gets they appreciate it or pretend to.
That everything looks the same in the freezer if you cook ahead and don't label.
Burned red cabbage smells as if your electricity is shorting somewhere in the house and you can send three sheets to the wind with port DH to find it for a couple of peaceful hours.

That it’s ok to buy mince pies, as I’ve threatened to do for years but never done before. Used to make my own mincemeat then started buying it, now I’ve gone right down the slippery slope of laziness! Sausage rolls are the favourites here so I wouldn’t dream of not making them.

Smudgie and Baggs thanks for the tips I shall definitely try out the mincemeat roll and the cranberry sauce in chicken pieces.

Maggiemaybe frozen cranberries work just as well as fresh to make a sauce.

No frozen left either, V3ra. I was offered dried ones, but didn’t think they would work. It’s strange that after all the dire predictions about Christmas shortages and empty shelves, cranberries were the only thing I couldn’t get at my nearest store.

I also learnt that it’s cheaper to buy veg than to grow them. I got all my Christmas sprouts and parsnips for 39p a bag. Cauliflowers 39p each too. It’s a good job DH actually enjoyed growing the carrots and potatoes, as they were on offer at the same price!

This Christmas I learned not to leave the back door wide open when Smiggles ( next door cat) is around.Half defrosting steaks on a plate in the kitchen.......

........ that the whole concept of Christmas dinner doesnt have to result in a near nervous breakdown.

I learned on Boxing Day that I can still cook a large roast dinner alone and unaided, in spite of being ancient and with a bad back. I had help on Christmas Day, but none on Boxing Day.
I also learned that to have a roast dinner two days running is not a good idea. I shall have cold chicken and chips today.

As Shelflife said---a lot to be thankful for.
I never take for granted how fortunate I am in every way really.

Although alone for the second Christmas I've had warmth and more than enough to eat. What more does anyone want ?

That it is still a mystery to me why Christmas Hamper producers always add a Christmas Pudding as the gift is likely to be given on Christmas Day, when there is a fairly hefty chance that you have already bought one…..we still have some from last year, despite utilising many ‘using up your leftover CP recipes).

Conversely if you do not buy shortbread biscuits (which normally arrive as gifts in delightful tins), this year you will not receive any! (That I am becoming an ungrateful old bat).

That once grandchildren are through the ‘glued to their mobiles’ stage, they have actually morphed into quite delightful adults, who are good conversationalists and excellent company!

That I no longer enjoy turkey. It’s gammon next year.

To go with the flow (test).

That I don’t need to buy so many nibbles as my son wasn’t here this year, he’s like a hoover!

That my Son-in-law likes to cook the nibbles for Boxing Day lunch. He said it was a thank you for us doing Christmas dinner.

To not listen to "I don't like that meat" or "I am not a fan of smoked salmon & cheese" just put it on the plate and watch them eat it I can't be doing with fussy eaters anymore,I did 3 choices of starters for DD's ILs and they both pulled a face at everything offered they won't get the option again.

That we bought too much food as usual for two people but it will last awhile anyway. We overdid it on presents to the kids as usual. Must cut back a bit next year.?

Serendipity22

........ that the whole concept of Christmas dinner doesnt have to result in a near nervous breakdown.

We put the remains of out turkey one year in the garage on top of the deep freeze. We also locked in the garage next door cat. We did not find him for 24 hours and his owner said he did not eat for days afterwards.

Floradora9

Hahahahahahahaha...

Too funny

Bailey's! I cannot leave it alone

I cooked my christmas meal on sunday and realised that I could do another plate and re-heat that in the microwave on monday, I think I might have learnt to do that more often in future. I normally cook fresh every day

I also learnt that, like Rosalyn, I will not be eating turkey next year

GagaJo

That I've gone off mince pies.

Me too Gagajo. Same with Christmas cake too and there's just me and DH to get through the one I made. He could be eating it until Easter!

That I don't need to make cake, pudding and mince pies myself.

Apparently they sell them in supermarkets.