Thread to state Xmas jobs we intend to get done today.

I have completed my list + washed the kitchen floor.

Note to self - buy another box of nougat as eaten the other one?

I unexpectedly had to babysit today, but managed to post few remaining cards. Was at a family wedding on Saturday and took 9 with me to dish out to save me nearly a fiver and forgot! Too much prosecco, me thinks! Me and Poppy (age 3) "made" mince pies for Gaga. That's the grand total of my festive tasks, haven't even got the tree yet! Maybe tomorrow, babysitting on Wednesday again and back at work on Thursday thru to Saturday, all 3 grandkids staying over Sunday night and all day Monday. Phew! Then only got Tuesday off work to finish off as don't finish til Christmas Eve. I wish I hadn't seen this thread I'm stressing!

There wasn't much on my list but it did get done and all the lights worked first time to my relief. Son coming tomorrow to put outside lights up, we have some beautiful displays locally.

I bought some 'specialist' chocs this morning for an 'emergency' present - and ate half of them while watching Pointless - oops

Tonight I MUST wrap presents for DS1's family and try to get them into an available box for posting tomorrow. I won't see them until after Christmas, but it would be good for them to get their presents 'on the day'. Most of my present buying has been done 'on line' - tomorrow I have to go and get gift cards for some of the adults.

elaineg1960 those mince pies look delicious. Mine do that thing - where the tops come off, when I do puff pastry, and the mincemeat goes everywhere. Still delicious though!

whitewave - nougat!!! Have you got any teeth left?

DISASTER! The slab of golden syrup/cinnamon cake for cutting into squares is in pieces. I turned it upside down for a flatter top and it split badly, so I turned it back into its tin and the original top had stuck to the rack and stayed behind. I sampled some of the bits and it is lovely! The remainder will be portioned and frozen for family only, and cake number 2 is in now the oven!

I've been trying to arrange who brings what to lunch on Boxing Day. There are 5 families and I think each should spend roughly the same money and spend the same time in preparation.
It never works, leading to mutterings about W bringing only carrot sticks while X brings turkey, ham and an elaborate pudding and Y telling everyone they're broke this year. Z will fill up the children with sweets an hour before lunch.
Big sigh!

Reading all your posts has quite exhausted. Have had trousers (dark blue velvet) pinned up by my lovely friend but will hem tomorrow in daylight as I find dark colours v hard to sew in artificial light. Debating whether to try Baileys Flat White Martinis at C'mas. Got vodka(never drink it) and there's loads of cut price Baileys. Has anybody tried it?
Can't really settle to anything Christmassy as the wedding (Saturday) is on my mind, also DD's 20 week scan on Wednesday as well as Grace's return visit to the vet to see if her tail is healing or if she is to lose the tip or not She will be fine at leaving it for hours, (huge sigh of relief,) then, despite being muzzled she will start licking it and there is more blood I am covering it with several one of my pop socks fastened on with micro pore. The idea is to let it get some air, but be protected at the same time.
So, present wrapping tomorrow, then we shall see.

Today I have posted the last of the cards and been for a nice buffet lunch with a lovely group of people who my DH does voluntary work with.

jing I love nougat and marzipan chocolate and crystal ized fruits and handmade chocolates of all sorts. If they are in the house I have no will power at all.

Tiramisu was a disaster. Has anyone got a foolproof recipe ?

Managed tree but present review currently on back burner. Tomorrow is another day

I did two things out of the four I intended to. That isn't bad.

Greenfinch why was it a disaster (hope you didn't bin it! )

Too liquid? or too dry?
I ate a dry one in a restaurant and I would much prefer one that is very moist; but I wouldn't include raw eggs like some recipes do.

I'm sure I used a very simple recipe, perhaps the bbc one and it was fine (but haven't made it for ages)
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/9652/bestever-tiramisu
best made the day before so that the flavours mature.
I don't much like Baileys either as some people suggest, and would use a coffee liqueur.

Some of the comments below the recipe are very funny, eg my boyfriend doesn't like coffee so I used hot chocolate and a layer of caramel etc etc - so it wasn't tiramisu then

As DH was out this morning DGS helped wrap presents for his mum and grandad. He is three and a half and has recently managed to write his name. I think it was all getting a bit much as he started off brilliantly but the last tag was written Chinese style.
Been thinking things are going too smoothly when I realised I have forgotten what we are going to have as a starter. Think the easiest thing for me to try will be a few prawns in seafood sauce.

Thanks rosequartz.I will follow it up.
Mine was far too funny. It was supposed to be an easy recipe made with condensed milk but maybe because it was the light variety it was not think enough.It had brandy in it which made it thinner.
We ate it and it tasted all right but looked a right mess.Certainly not suitable for Christmas Day.

Struggling with my new tablet. Should read runny and thick.

I never put as much sugar in as recipes state either Greenfinch

I do remember using marscapone cheese and whipping some cream.
Yum, I might make another one.
DH likes his traditional trifle though.

I think I might revert to trifle. It never fails !

My last one failed because I bought that nice 'thick' Cornish custard instead of making custard, and it was very, very sloppy. It all went, though.

Well, I planned one job, and didn't even start it. Life intervened.

Yesterday's plan:

Buy Xmas tree - done

Post overseas cards - not done, as not yet written

Today's plan:

One hour brisk walk as eating too much, and post overseas cards.