Countdown to Christmas

I used to live in St. Annes and later in Lytham. Booths was my local supermarket. It is very similar to Waitrose.

Now is the time I start to avoid shops like the plague, so quite happy to start the Christmas cooking. Got the cake stuff this weekend, so next week will be cake and pudding. I don't normally make chutney but you've all inspired me to give it a go this year. Mincemeat for mince pies is already done.

Last December was when DH was diagnosed with bladder cancer, so Christmas went out of the window. We didn't expect him to see this Christmas so this year I want to make sure all his favourite things are ready.

Well ladies I retire this Christmas and looking forward to it but feeling a bit nervous. Been in childcare for 24 years and think I’m done! I do love Christmas and have already bought one or two items to put in my stash of presents. I will have the usual run up to Christmas and check what I have to do week by week. Lovely thread.

Our local Garden Centre sent an e Mail yesterday saying ‘Christmas Is Open’. Also offering 15% discount to their card holders.

No, no, no, far too soon.

Bah humbug!

I’m envious Daddima! Enjoy your Christmas. 😊

Enjoyed a warm autumnal day with not a thought of the festive season.

I always make our Christmas cake in October half term. Became a tradition when my boys were little and wanted to ‘help’

I’d rather not bother with Christmas at all but put up the tree and keep smiling for my boys and granddaughters 😁

I’ve started adding the odd extra item to my weekly grocery delivery.
Green tomato chutney left from last year, essential stuffing ingredient and I’ve bought my first two presents.

I made Christmas cakes and puddings last week. It is rather early but my DS is coming over from the States soon and will want to take some back with him so I thought I’d better crack on with it.

Delia’s Christmas book will be coming out here too at the end of next week.
We like her Christmas chutney and I also make the apricot one as it goes so well with cold cuts.

We are hosting this year so lots to think about, though mostly traditional - an ‘elevated’ roast.
Not Christmas pud as I’m the only one who likes it, so I’ll have to get my thinking hat on about that.

Enjoy the planning and prep everyone!

I make an Elizabeth David pimento chutney (from Spices, salts and aromatics in the English kitchen) which is not a long keeper so can’t do it till early Dec.
There are only 2 of us on C day so we don’t have a C pudding any more. I dislike mince pies so DH has to make do with Waitrose.
I’d still make a cake if I could find someone to do royal icing, but as I can’t I don’t.
I love Christmas but I feel sad at writing this.

Thanks so much, I’ll give it a bash!

sunnygirl

I’ve never made chutney of any variety. Would like to have a go at Christmas Chutney if anyone has a recipe? Thanks

Look up - google Delias Christmas Chutney. It’s a doddle to make and delicious with cheese and cold meat.

I have bought red envelopes in which to put dosh for my grandchildren, and also ‘wee mindings’ for them all.
My flights and hotel are booked, so I am sorted.

I love Booths. I think it’s a bit like Waitrose.

I suppose all you domestic goddesses out there have to get thinking about Christmas early. Those cakes and puddings won’t make themselves!

Luckily I don’t bother. My mindset it a bit ‘it’s just another day’. I (usually) enjoy Christmas when it happens but as youngest daughter hosts, all I need do is write our (🤞) Christmas cards.

sunnygirl

I’ve never made chutney of any variety. Would like to have a go at Christmas Chutney if anyone has a recipe? Thanks

I would also like a tried and tested chutney recipe please.

I’m sure I made some in school cookery lessons but all I remember is the very pungent smell of it in the cookery wing.

I’m impressed. I don’t give Christmas a thought in terms of doing anything different until the day before.
The Xmas decoration (singular small old wooden nutcracker soldier thing that was my mums years ago ) gets hung up in the kitchen Maybe a hike on the moors with a cheese sandwich and a charcuterie board with a nice bottle of wine in the evening and the decoration taken down and put away till next year.

I’ve never made chutney of any variety. Would like to have a go at Christmas Chutney if anyone has a recipe? Thanks

I've got all my cards ready to write. I've made a list of my butcher's order. Done a small order online with Booths a local supermarket that does more special items and have all my Christmas cake ingredients ready to make. It's the BeRo recipe but as there is only 2 of us I will halve the ingredients. I made the full one a couple of years ago and it was too much for 2 of us but we managed to get through it.
Yes Mollygo I live in Blackpool and we have a Booths in St Annes. They have lovely stuff in their Christmas Book but not a place I would do my weekly shop.

Whitewavemark2

Who is Booths?

It’s a supermarket chain up north.

Who is Booths?

windmill1

Now being eternally bombarded by Booths Xmas ads cluttering up the Inbox. Nooooooo, it's still too soon.

windmill
I know.
I’m still buying Hot-cross-buns in Sainsburys, whilst Booths have got mince pies and fancy Christmas treats on display!

It’s a no from me too.
I only ‘do’ Christmas for my DGSs and limit it to 2 days!

Now being eternally bombarded by Booths Xmas ads cluttering up the Inbox. Nooooooo, it's still too soon.

RosieandherMaw

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

Well hard cheese - you have to 😄😄😄😄