The ‘C’ Word

[Vagus]

I mean Christmas.

Have you started thinking about it, food related, yet, or do you leave it till later, or dash out last minute to see what's left, have a plan, don't bother as you always go out, have a freezer full of everything you could possibly want for the big day, ignore it all and have beans on toast or similar.

Tell us all what you do, or don't do. Being serious, I'm really interested how everyone deals with this over indulgent fest 🧑‍🎄

[DDIL]

Food all ordered for collection from M&S @ 0630 on Christmas Eve.

[Barmaid]

I am starting to "think" about it since I will generally do as much as I can ahead.  We are out on Christmas Day but then have 9 on Boxing Day.  I shall probably have the menu planned by early December and anything I can do in advance by 22nd.

Decorations will be minimal though due to two destructive but lovable cats.

[Cloverjo]

If I were to have the whole family here I'd be planning to get a big joint of beef and writing a shopping list for sundries.

This year it's only me Husband and my dad so I'll probably leave everything til the last minute.

[jourdain2]

Not even begun to think about it as yet.  Beginning of Advent is time enough - or should be.

I timed my kids wrongly - 1 had a birthday yesterday, the other is on 14th Dec., so I work to them first.  Never had anything up for Christmas until 15th Dec...

[Arksided]

I go to Mum's, close family members (Four Brothers and partners, Neices... etc)

On the day, I usually help with tidying up the dining room and washing up when the Skeksis (Brothers) have moved into the living room.

 

[Tilly2]

We have visitors over the Christmas period but will be going all out for lunch on Christmas Day.

Shall buy some bits and bobs as Christmas treats but nothng too extravagant except a leg of lamb for Boxing Day.

[Barmaid]

Arksided, you can come here.  Traditionally, Mr BM appears in the kitchen at some time between 12pm and 12.30pm and questions what time lunch will be.  Traditionally, I snap back something along the lines of "When it's ******* ready, no thanks to you, now **** off".  He does do most of the tidying up afterwards though, but that is only to avoid sharp things being thrown at him.

[pastafreak]

Since I'll be at my daughter's, I don't have to give it too much thought. Though we all (myself, daughter and her partner) discuss the options. We started when they were down here for a flying visit almost 2 weeks ago. I love the pre-shop with them in London...often Borough Market for seafood and cheeses while guzzling prosecco. Also trips to Waitrose and/or Sainsbury's (both huge compared to anything here).

[-SharonA-]

As I've got numerous family birthdays first, like Jourdain I like to get them out of the way first.

I have a rough idea of what I want and need food wise and will get it nearer the time.

As for booze, I think we are ok!!! 🤪

[Vagus]

We're not religeous in any way shape or form so don't rely on the beginning or end of anything before doing anything Christmassy.

Pasta, I just love Borough Market, Christmas time or not, all that lovely grub to try, and the atmosphere, nothing like it.

We ordered a load of booze online yesterday, arriving tomorrow, possibly a bit early as some may be opened before Christmas but as it's only the two of us it really doesn't matter, hic 🍸

 

[pastafreak]

Vagus, I love it too, inspite of how overwhelming it can be. It's a real buzz. Would be more bearable were it not for the queues of tourists getting paella! 

[calmck]

Have an Amazon order of Xmas stuff, crackers, pud, ginger wine, stuffing mix, mince pies, cranberry sauce coming to Portugal next week as it is cheaper for me than buying here even with transport cost and they clear customs. Also two expensive advent calendars for daughter and Grandaughter as Xmas present.

Turkey the butcher in the local supermarket does really nice job with half turkey, thigh, breast and leg. Christmas Eve is Caldo Verde soup, a cauliflower dish and a cod dish of witch there are four different recipes to chose from

[Canary42]

Just another day (but I'll probably buy a mini pudding some time in December).

[Hazlinny]

Brain is not in "C" gear yet .... maybe start of December?  

[Arksided]

Barmaid, @ 18:17 Wed 06th

I wonder why I don't find that difficult to imagaine 🤔😏 on arrival there's only one other person allowed in the Kitchen one of my Brothers that lives there. (Dogs-body) on the day.

He doesn't get any stick from us lot when he's called... honest 😄

[Old_Geezer]

It's barely November, so no.

[douglas9401]

Nerja trip all paid, just to book the airport taxi.

No fuss no frost no bother.

[Maydup]

The sprouts went on yesterday. 

[Buenchico]

I'm always on my own on Christmas Day, so I don't really do anything particularly special.

I usually buy a selection of 'Cook' ready-meals-for-one to eat over the Christmas period, such as
https://www.cookfood.net/products/rump-beef-brandy
and
https://www.cookfood.net/products/chicken-dijon
(They're out of my price range for the rest of the year).

I'll sometimes have one of those on Christmas Day but my alternative is to buy some cold cooked turkey from the bone from Morrisons, warm it through in the oven and serve it in a giant Yorkshire pudding, along with some roast potatoes (or even chips), Brussels sprouts and perhaps some roast parsnips or carrots, possibly plus some stuffing, topped up with red wine gravy.

For dessert, I'll probably have a 'serves one' Christmas pudding, topped with brandy cream.

One of my other treats over the Christmas period is to go the the mega-expensive farm shop up the road 
https://www.aldercarrfarm.co.uk/farm-shop
to stock up on some lovely cheeses.

[dave50]

I hate it but we have grandchildren so we have to go along with it all and put a smile on my face when in reality I would like to go somewhere for a couple of weeks where Christmas doesn't exist.