Christmas Preparations

[nightshade]

I know it's only the middle of September,but I work in a toy shop so we think of Christmas earlier!

Anyone started planning Christmas yet? Bought any gifts or food?

I started to get a few presents this month, got ideas for most people I need to buy for.

 

[The Bronze]

We had a Christmas BBQ in the garden yesterday as celebrations in December look uncertain. Agreed on family secret santa this year to keep shopping to a minimum as well.

 

[Nix]

Anyone started planning Christmas yet? Bought any gifts or food?

Hell yes! I've started, started months ago although I've not got too much yet. My main shop is October. Although I do still have an early present to post 😉 Just need to get to post office with all my parcels, hopefully this week! I have my Christmas Planner that has already been used for this year's planning.

We have decided on a quiet one this year so just me, Abbs and her Dad. I'm still working out where the tree will go this year. I have all my wrapping paper sorted and just need to buy more cards, pretty ones for my friends and generally people I like LOL!! I save all year so it doesn't hurt too much and I've normally finished my shopping by mid November, but.... I hate wrapping! Just like it when it's done. Every group of people have their own big bag allocated!! So Abbs gets 2 for Christmas, 1 for birthday, 1 for Brother's family, 1 for Abbs Dad's family and normally 1 for friends! I have a Christmas shelf for Christmas chocolates and treats in my kitchen that is starting to fill up already as there are a few deals around early this year. And Abbs gets a Christmas Eve mini suitcase! That's full of normally new PJ's, dvd's a Funko Pop and sweets/popcorn for the day!

I am nervous about another lockdown, not for Christmas but for Abbs birthday on 20th Dec as she wants all the family round... not looking good for that at the moment.

Yer, I love Christmas!
🥰🎁🥰

 

[LemonBanana]

Oh god, I forgot about Christmas this year!!! I saw some mince pies in the shops the other day and I cant believe its almost that time again! 2020 has gone SO fast its been a big horrible blur and im just looking forward to next year! 😊💕

 

[Oromous]

I used to love Christmas a lot more, that merry feeling of cheer that just warms your heart. Heartwarming Christmas movies like Frosty and Rudolph particularly helped encouraged that sentiment. But nowadays, I don't know... I don't really do much for Christmas, neither does my family. Christmas movies are also getting stale - there are only so many times I could watch stop-motion animals preach about being merry before it just comes off as banal and insipid.

Didn't mean to be a Grinch. 🤣 I'll probably watch one or two Christmas flicks this year, see if there are any good ones I haven't seen.

 

[Taake]

No.

You nutters.

😛

 

[Anyanka Bunny Slayer]

To plan/celebrate Christmas would be an unforgivable insult to my lord and master, Satan. Though I suppose I could be a team player here, and meet everyone halfway:

1. I shall bake small children pastries and decorate them with inverted crosses.

2. To help those less fortunate, I shall donate warm blankets, emblazoned with the cheery visage of Baphomet.

3. At the local YMCA, I shall arrange a Secret Satan present exchange, via Zoom.

4. To really embrace the spirit of things, as it were, I have in mind a small group of people (all practicing anti-social distancing, of course) gathering at night, for a Quija board session. We'll just throw out random latin words....I'm sure everything will be just fine.

5. Festive candles made from pig's blood will give a nice touch to every thing. 😊

 

[Taake]

To plan/celebrate Christmas would be an unforgivable insult to my lord and master, Satan. Though I suppose I could be a team player here, and meet everyone halfway:

1. I shall bake small children pastries and decorate them with inverted crosses.

2. To help those less fortunate, I shall donate warm blankets, emblazoned with the cheery visage of Baphomet.

3. At the local YMCA, I shall arrange a Secret Satan present exchange, via Zoom.

4. To really embrace the spirit of things, as it were, I have in mind a small group of people (all practicing anti-social distancing, of course) gathering at night, for a Quija board session. We'll just throw out random latin words....I'm sure everything will be just fine.

5. Festive candles made from pig's blood will give a nice touch to every thing. 😊

Krampus approves


(5 though... the smell of that)

 

[Hunga Munga]

Yeah I'm preparing early ...already got a few food bits stashed , but that's more by luck than judgement .

Not sure about Christmas day plans yet , but I'm guessing most of my meals will be at home . I've got an old dog on deathwatch and she could go anytime ...or still be here for next Christmas 😀 So , if she makes it til Xmas day , I won't be going far for long .

Just been plotting the menu . Going simple . I put myself on a corona budget back in Feb/March and I see no reason to come out of that yet . I've got plenty of money but I aint spending it freely til I've got a bit more confidence in the economy .

I'm thinking a big pack of turkey steaks , some nice butchers sausages for breakfast and cheapy bacon . I'll back that up with some tinned beef and fish and a couple of veggie options , few pasties in the freezer too maybe . That's the main meals sorted .

Supersimple Mash Potatoes . Cabbage and carrots for cooked veg , backed up with sauerkraut, pickled cabbage etc . Going for a full range of pickled and jarred veg , been going through a 'phase' for it this year 🙂 . Will run a very modest cheeseboard too .

All in all , this year is simple hearty fare, no gimmick menus or fancy ingredients . My mission statement is 'simple but plenty of it' 😀.

Boozewize I think I'm having a pair/few bottles of spirits , a handful of strong ale/lagers and a few snide Baileys . Think I want gold rum and whiskey .I love my Asda delivery to death but the booze selection is limited . Might have to travel to get some nice strong beer . I'm an ex problem drinker though , so may cut that shopping list if I feel it's asking for trouble .

Will start getting the big money items bit by bit in with my normal shop . Did that last year and it was a right result. 🙂

Also getting some cigars , not too fancy just a nice mellow smoke for after dinner.

 

[Hunga Munga]

Last couple of years I've been making 'ultra-Baileys' which is normal Baileys with a shot of whiskey . I only buy the snides though , Lidl and Asda Causeway last year . If I was buying the brand it would be cheaper for me to mix it from scratch 😀

 

[Nix]

Baileys is definitely my go to Christmas drink. I want to try the new coffee one!

 

[Hunga Munga]

Yeah , I've genuinely had Baileys with all the common breakfast cereals at Christmas 😀 I like a sherry too , and a snowball , or a bottle of ruby port or a tawny 😀 All the old British christmas drinks are right up my street but buying all of them is ruinously expensive . Can't go wrong with Baileys 🙂 .

 

[Ethan Reigns]

You have Bailey's on cereal? That's decadent! That's sinful! That's AWESOME! The closest I ever came to that level of decadence was putting chocolate milk on cereal.

 

[nightshade]

I'm thinking about putting out some of the Christmas stock tomorrow, weather is meant to change so it's time to move the summer stock.
I'm thinking about food gifts for people this year, useful and won't matter if we're back in lockdown.

 

[AlphaFoxtrot]

I'm pretty certain the entire world will be observing a very long Advent this year, if they mean to, or not.

 

[Mr Trick]

Props to anyone who is. But no way too early for me still 😛 Because my family and social circle are quite small I don't have to worry too much about early planning. I normally do get into the festive spirit when the time is right. Right now I'm looking forward to a month long horror celebration next month then I might start thinking about Christmas😉

 

[Bop]

I'm really curious to see what Christmas will be like this year considering the times we're living in and I wonder how they'll advertise Christmas. But personally I've only thought about what presents I might get people.

 

[Bop]

@Oromous True but I feel like Christmas is advertised normally as a time where the whole family gets together and you see all your friends and stuff. For all we know we could be in lockdown it wouldn't change my Christmas but it would change how they present Christmas.

 

[nightshade]

I'm more than happy to avoid family gatherings at Christmas, I did go last year, but it's not something I would miss at all.

I am currently planning a Christmas gathering with a couple of friends, I want to cook a meal for them, so planning it now as it's a vegan menu, and I haven't attempted most of what I'm thinking of doing. Other than that, Pringles are currently on offer so I might stock up!

 

[ILLYRIAN]

Naughty, oh very naughty, is the person nightshade, giving Nix a reason to knock back a 750 ml bottle of Baileys. Rumour has it she likes them Pringles.