RedSea4u

So whats everyone got planned over Christmas?

I usually do a roast dinner, we don't tend to eat turkey, my Dad cooked one once and no-one liked it so will do a roast chicken, trimmings, get my brothers sisters some pressies and just mong out in front of the telly with the fire on and loads of choccies.

Bliss

docs on xmas eve followed by a last xmas with family.

friend coming up to liverpool for the new year, then a chilled Jan until I move out.

Lee

NG your plans sound very familiar
Family all(be about 14 of us) coming round Christmas eve, kids wreck house opening presents and leave nan to clear up!!
Eat me out of house and home while adults guzzle my booze, and leave mum to clear up.
Christmas meats are Goose and Smoked Gammon with all the trimmings.
I have a smaller Turkey but that will dissapear Christmas Eve.
Christmas day quieter thankfully my brother will join us for Christmas lunch , along with a family friend who thinks we are a shelter for the homeless every Christmas, and tends to stay till we kick him out which is usually when the fridge is empty
Boxing day going to Surrey to visit with Alans family, there thats Christmas all done for another year
Oh o forgot to mention Cocoa our puppy has so far resisited my Christmas trees but there are no pressies under them at the mo, so time will tell!!

Sounds fab, love this time of year!

I like snow outside, fire going indoors but then downside of that is I am usually too frozen to move away from the fire

Oi KEEFY, surely it doesn't snow at the Red Sea

For the first time in my life I have to cook a Christmas dinner! We usually all go to my Mum and Dads for a big family celebration but as Mum is on chemo right now this is too much for her and she's been invited to my brothers! Mum and Dad are coming round to us on Christmas morning for a big breakfast and then I have to cook dinner for husband, me and kids. Have n't decided what to do yet as the kids are not big turkey fans! Mum has already made me my own Christmas pudding though. Think I'll be the only one eating that!!! Think we will just spend the rest of the day relaxing, watching TV and hopefully playing on the new kids present. Mum and Dad have bought them a wii!
Bit daunted by the whole Christmas dinner idea and sad not to be with Mum and Dad but as we are all going away in the New Year that makes up for it!
Any tips for successful Christmas dinner making? I know get organised but that just isn't me. My Mum does all the prep the day before and even lays the table but I can't do with that. I reckon we will probably not eat till night time by the time I've got my act together!!!! LOL

I would just say be organised but you've shot that to you-know-what lol.

Keep calm, get an early start and maybe have some music or something on in the kitchen to keep you calm. Keep te kids out of the kitchen as it always bugs me when my brothers and sisters are underfoot.

As for the food, if you don't like turkey, do something thats a family favourite and a bit special. Lots of trimmings always make a big difference too.

Good luck! x

Ok all you have to do is blackmail the kids into peeling sprouts, get hubby to peel carrots, get aunt bessies parsnips, stuffing balls wrapped in bacon, then that leaves you just the tatties to peel.
The people from Bisto could sort ya gravy if u really wanted to cheat and bobs ya uncle dinner!!
If you dont fancy Turkey how about a Goose or a nice Roast of Beef??
Pudding Tiramisu, festive easy to make and scrummy.

I think I might go for beef cos I actually already have a joint in my freezer. Then we can have yorkshire puds! Never had those at Christmas before but so what and forget the sprouts noone likes them. I'll do the potatoes and get some frozen veg. I can manage the gravy too. Stuffing wrapped in bacon , does that come ready made??? I saw a gorgeous looking chocolate and caramel cake in some advert for sainsbury I think now that would be my ideal dessert! You guys made me feel better already but I'll let you know how it all turns out. Think I had better make a list!!!
New Gal I am going shopping on Tues and Wed next week to do all my present and food shopping! Got no money till payday so can't start till then!!!! Have n't even got any wrapping paper yet. So please don't anyone post and tell me they are all done and wrapped. I do NOT want to know!!!!

My Christmas may or may not be great.....
Daughter was coming for Christmas..... but she works for British Airways.... she's cabin crew.... and as y'all know.... BA have just gone on strike!!
So.... unless it's resolved... she WON'T be coming!!
I'm hoping and praying it'll be resolved!
Otherwise..... just me and Mr M at home!!

We will keep our fingers crossed that BA resolve thier issues SS.
Claire that all sounds fine, but no its the little sausages that come wrapped in bacon and the stuffing balls are seperate, check out Christmas dinner solutions in Icelands they have it all, and like you im food shopping next week as well , dont even have the decs up yet, so you are not alone.
Hows ya mum doing hon? x

Claire you can even get ready peeled and chopped veg, just bung it in a tray and in the evn with some olive oil and seasoning.

Cook whatever you want, my brother would cheerfully kill me if there were no yorkshire puds!

Oh fingers crossed for you SueSue, be a shame if she can't make it!

xxx

Christams this year will be in wet wales insted of egypt! A first for a few years so cooking meal for myself, mother in law who is coming to stay with us (she actually lives only a couple of streets away!) and hubby then doing a buffet in the eveing eating too much for the rest of colins family coming round, they will all be drinking having fun whilst I clean up and get to bed as Debenhams sale starts early 26th and guess what Im working!!!!!!!

On 27th Im going home to Aberdeen to see my sister and her kids (ha ha 24 and 26) then hopefully rest till back to work!

Time to plan my next visit to egypt!

Christine I have n't even got a Christmas tree yet but again this is my normal. I have to do a really good clean of the house first which I plan to start tomorrow!!! And then I'll get the tree up. I'm definitely making a trip to Iceland. I like their party food but just hope they are well stocked when I get there. Mite do that Monday night after work. One year I went to Asda probably on Dec 23 and their freezers were literally empty! I've never seen anything like it!
Susue I really hope your daughter can make it.
I just bought some wrapping paper but still only have one present!!!! Tues and Wed next week are my mad Christmas shopping days! I might even get some last minute bargains!
New Gal thanks but I think I can manage to peel a few veggies! But what I can get ready made I will. I am starting to get a bit excited now after chatting to all of you as before I had this sort of panic and dread! Might even plan out festive menu!!!

Christine thanks for asking about my Mum. Thank God she's doing OK but still on chemo and having that on Christmas Eve so she will not be at her best Christmas Day but we are all going to Sharm on New Years Eve for a week of relaxation and fun. Please pray both Mum and Dad are well while we are away. Dad is 82! They have both visited Egypt before and love it so we are really excited.

have a great time claire and im sure your mum and dad enjoy there tme with you over xmas.
Like you also i still have to get pressies sorted ~ its finding time! Maybe ill just wrap up the xmas diner and that can be there presents this year

Claire i know the feeling hon, im getting that sinking feeling that Alans blood count isnt going up as well as it should which will mean infusions and possibly blood bags again, and like your mum, ill health is no respecter of our hoilday season is it.
But think on this one pet, where ever you guys are you are together, and supporting and loving each other, best Christmas present ever .
When you are in Iceland next week i shall be thinking of you cos thats exactly where i shall be, god i dont think i can stand the excitment x

Well it IS where the mums go

Now youve been watching too much telly again havent you

Sue sue looks like your christmas plans can get back on track honey , as the issues with BA have been resolved it seems, im glad for you.

Yes, Chris..... hopefully she'll get here... she's flying standby, so just hoping she'll get a seat next Tuesday!!
It'll be my first 'family Christmas' since 2000..... so I'm really hoping!!!
My mum died on Christmas Eve 2001.... so haven't really celebrated since.... but we made a decision to 'do Christmas' this year, as Daughter was coming over!!