Countdown to Christmas

Might give Brunch bars a go. Thanks😊

All the younger members of our family appear to hate dried fruited fare, Christmas pudding, cake and mince pies all met with yuk! or no thanks what's wrong with their finicky palates for heaven's sake OH and I both agree these were placed in front of us from an early age and it was love at first taste. So no! I don't bother with going to the trouble of making them anymore, because they're not wanted. I'll pick them up in Marks or Waitrose just for us and so often half a cake will be discovered in a tin somewhere from Christmas past as we move towards Christmas future. No countdown to Christmas in our house, OH is particularly bah humbug about it all, a hangover from his working days when he always complained, "so difficult to get anything done in December due to the Christmas and New Year run ups" We do our best to ignore it until after my birthday which is in December, then I start to give it serious thought. Although we've usually started on the wretched Christmas cards by then, like most, seriously cutting back on those too. I'll grudgingly admit to liking decorating the house and getting all the paraphernalia out, the Christmas lights, tree, bed linen, seasonal garlands, decorations, but particularly the lights which I'm very attracted to, they bring out my inner moth. Most of all, as much as I hated all the church going as a child, I do like to hear carols they make me so so nostalgic

Lights bring out my inner moth too TerriBull 🤭 I think the darkness of Winter calls for it.

First Christmas Tree photo just arrived from my son who is in the Philippines.
Apparently already up there!

No Christmas thoughts for me, I’m still in my flip flops!!

Nannylovesshopping

No Christmas thoughts for me, I’m still in my flip flops!!

Yes it’s a very mild Autumn so far isn’t it? I haven’t unpacked my jumpers yet and still wear crocs on bare feet.

We have Halloween, half-term, Bonfire Night and 2 birthdays to go before Christmas. December 1st is time enough in our house.

I'm in my eighties, on my own and moving house. Moving day is fast approaching.
Christmas is the last thing on my mind.
I know I shall be with my family as usual over the Christmas period.
We're not Christmas cake or mince pie eaters so nothing to make in that department.
I used to do the whole Christmas food cooking/baking thing when the family were at home though.

We are heading to October half term, which was when I made the Christmas cake. Now mr I is no longer here I find I’m less enthusiastic about the making. He loved fruit cake and munched a peace most evenings and often afternoons. Writing this has helped me understand my resistance. Same with delia’s mince meat 🌞

Bit early for me, however others should do as they wish.

Norah

Bit early for me, however others should do as they wish.

Bit early for me too, really, but once the cooking is out of the way that's the last we'll think about Christmas until December. That's why we stay out of the shops 😁

Chocolatelovinggran

I've started my cross stitch cards - these can't be done the week before..

I've decided my "new skill" in retirement is going to be knitting.
I'm making a triangular shawl for my granddaughter, it remains to be seen how big it will be 😂

Eurgh

Finished grandchildren shopping so only have to sort the children now, get my wrapping, cards, tags and my December grandchildren hampers are all bought in the sales, other than the chocolates etc that go in.

OH! F***! Not yet PLEASE!

We bought a new 'faux' tree last year. But health events have overtaken me (us) and I know if I can be a...d anymore. I love it when it's done but understated is not a word you could use to describe it

I may try the chutney, it sounds good. Already made two smaller than usual cakes 7” this time as we two enjoy eating it!

RosieandherMaw

Nooooooooooooo - don’t want to play! 🧑‍🎄 🌲 🎅 🎄 🎁

Neither do I!

I used to enjoy the cooking to get ready for Christmas,but on my own now so I can hardly be bothered to even put up the cards,although I do as people have bought them and sent them. I just ignore Christmas as much as possible

We are staying at my son's caravan in the Lake district. After picking up the Booth's Christmas book today, I've decided to order all the beautiful Christmas goodies and not make a single thing (If only!)

After my Boys left home, I stopped most of my Xmas cooking. I started making Xmas cake in baked bean tins. Just enough for 1 person without them getting sick of it. I gave them to friends. Now I have Diabetes so no Xmas goodies for my. My younger Son and I go for an Indian meal on Xmas day. No cooking or washing up for either of us. hugs

I always make the cake in August, so that’s done, I booked a Click and Collect date with Waitrose just today. That’s it now until November when I sort out the Antipodean presents.

I have relented a bit and invited a Friend over on boxing day to share a pan of Scouse with me . She's never had it before

We haven’t decided what to do for Christmas day food yet but I have started shopping already. Catgrann your friend is in for a treat on Boxing day. I make a pan of Scouse too nothing can compare with the addition of beetroot and red cabbage.

I make a Christmas cake but not a dark molasses based one so I leave it until nearer the time.

I have already started my shop bought mince pie tasting and would give Waitrose ordinary mince pies 6/10 and LIDL’s 3/10. I am waiting for the Tesco’s Finest to arrive and be on their half price offer when I will bulk buy. They are easily an 8/10. I mourn the passing of Waitrose’s flat bakery mince pies with melt in the mouth short pastry.

I don’t make a Christmas pudding either as the shop ones are often great and not everyone in the family likes them. Sainsbo’s Taste the Difference puds have been very nice.

I love all things Christmas and find the anticipation and preparations get me through the dark days until the end of December.