Christmas Preparations

[AnthonyCordova]

Christmas, geez, I'm still figuring out my halloween activities here (pumpkin carvings, movies and books). This year probably no haunted houses or large parties, but my friends and I will improvise.

 

[sk]

Nah, my Christmas preparation usually starts on Cristmas Eve 15 minutes before it’s time to leave for dinner at my sisters place.
It’s about then I realize that should find some clean clothes to wear. That’s about it for my “preparations”. 🙂

/SK

 

[Puppet]

Get back to me on December 1st.

 

[thrasherpix]

Given the times, I suppose I could buy early, but make it something I can use in case they croak before Christmas. Otherwise, wait like normal. Hate to get something only to find out they got it for themselves already by then, and the chaos of this year (in so many ways) just makes it seem even more prudent.

And food months in advance? Especially when the power can go out at any time, sometimes without any warning or signs? That's a big nope. (Got emergency rations that I'm willing to share, if that counts.)

 

[nightshade]

I've got a few gifts bought now, might try to get them wrapped soon, then if anything changes I can just give out those. A bit boring at the moment, but at least it's a start.
I'm probably about a third of the way through my list now.

 

[Nix]

Just bought a few more gifts. That's one of my friends completed. Got another one started. Got ideas for the others. Abbs is half way done for birthday and Christmas as is her Dad. Just waiting for my savings for Christmas to arrive at the end of October then it's finish everything time! So excited!

 

[Skanky Vamp]

It's October... you know what that means. Christmas shopping with Nixy. Have to have Halloween and Thanksgiving before even thinking about Christmas.

 

[Hunga Munga]

I put most my Christmas meats in the freezer about 20 minutes ago 😀 . Still in the market for some top quality local sausages , will try to get those when I go to the big town this/next week to do the rest of my 2020 banking chores .

After that it's online business only til Feb 2021 😀 .

I've stacked up some games (Far Cry 5 and Borderlands 3 ) and Blu Rays ( Fringe S1 , Killjoys S1 , Grimm ) in case of internet outage during the holiday .

Hoping the BBC will be broadcasting the Boxing Day cricket Test (Aus-India , maybe others too) on the radio . The sportfan Aussies . Kiwis and Saffers enjoy a bit of Christmas Cricket , part of their yearly celebrations. Over the years I've developed a taste for it too 🙂 .

Decided not to drink much this year , just get some snide Baileys and a bottle of nice whiskey . All this 'rule of six' business means I won't be partying or going out for meals . May as well just have a smoke and a mellow time of it 🙂

 

[nightshade]

Christmas dinner has been chosen, Mushroom soup, roast turkey and chocolate log for pud.

Bought a few more gifts, still have got some to go though, not sure what to get for my brother.

 

[TriBel]

I put most my Christmas meats in the freezer about 20 minutes ago 😀

Probably a good job...aren't you in a place where everything in excess of a toilet roll and a can of soup is considered "inessential"?

 

[Hunga Munga]

Finalized my turkey steaks , mash , cabbage, carrots , bread sauce ..maybe mushy peas if I'm feeling frisky . 😀 One of the only annoying things about food delivery is ordering fresh veg can be a bit random . The excellence of my christmas menu rests on a mystery bag of potatoes and a cabbage ....not the sort of stuff I like to buy frozen either.

No starter or desserts for me . Loads of pickled veg on the table though . Might knock up a warm red cabbage/sauerkraut/artichoke sideplate

I will buy a crap load of cake etc ...but pound to a penny I eat it all before Xmas day . If I can see a window in Welshie Lockdown I need to hit Lidl for the fancy Euro cakes .

Doing a few fried breakfasts , and eggs Benedict . Those are my main culinary treats . Not spending much time cooking . 🙂 .

 

[ILLYRIAN]

You nearly had me worried there Hunga Munga, had you ended that last sentence after eggs Benedict with, 'these are a few of my favourite things'. I might even have begun to cry, I did say might!

 

[Hunga Munga]

More Christmas in the cupboard for Munga ! 🙂

Decided on a boxing day menu , wanted as little food prep as possible .

So I'm having turkey , stuffed cabbage leaves and warm sauerkraut , spinach and pickled veg . Undecided whether to cook mash potato again or go buffet and have bread with it . There's always instant mash , I guess .

These Welsh lockdowns really focus the festive mind . May only be a few 'actual' shopping days before Christmas at this rate ...with a New Year lockdown already penciled in . I'm keeping Amazon Prime until the New Year ...mostly for the Prime delivery option in Lockdown. Freaks me out having two streamy subscriptions running . Netflix may have to go 🙁 .

 

[Nix]

Now Halloween has been cancelled in my village, I'm fully focused on Christmas! Might even watch a Christmas movie this week!

 

[Nix]

Got my Christmas savings yesterday, woohoo so I can make a serious dent in the shopping soon. I want to go to B&M to get some bits... I say some bits but I normally end up sending £60 in there lol... Then there is Amazon obviously. Maybe a bit of ebay and a hint of Hobbycraft. Where do you shop?

 

[nightshade]

I try to go to independent shops as much as possible, I do buy online when it's easier though, bought a few bits from The Works.

I'll try to get more of my shopping done next week.

 

[Hunga Munga]

I'm in a serious relationship with Asda Delivery . 😀

Do hit the high street a few times a year , but most my spends are online ...usually Ebay but Amazon Prime is actually working out in the wilds these days .

 

[Hunga Munga]

 

[TriBel]

Where do I shop? Anywhere...John Lewis, Waterstones, Home Bargains, Christmas Markets, Amazon, Forbidden Planet ...it really depends on what I want. My intention this year was to be less reliant on Amazon but I think Covid's made that difficult...and Manchester Xmas Market's been cancelled. My kids are adults and have particular likes (such as ridiculously priced board games in huge boxes and ridiculously priced P.Station games in tiny boxes)...so it's often Amazon or local games shops. That said, Chaos Cards (online) is good for board games and SpeedyHen for graphic novels (might get Absolute Batman for the eldest).

I've just pre-ordered three cans of "King of the North" beer. It's a reference to Andy Burnham and it's made by a local brewery to raise funds for Manchester hospitality workers. I'll get some Rhubarb Gin from another brewery to go with it.

So far, I've bought a couple of jigsaws ('cos I don't think my mother will ever leave the house again) and Runaways "Gert" Funko because a) it was reduced b) it looks just like Gert and c) my middle son hates her with a vengeance - it's for him.

Not bought food yet...except for a box of Guinness crisps!

 

[nightshade]

Not bought food yet...except for a box of Guinness crisps!

Pringles were half price, so I stocked up with 4 tubes, however I've already eaten 3 of them!