Recycled Christmas?

[Jax]

Hi, I hjave made everyones presents this year. Most people either have a pyrographed clock or an etched glass. We helped out a relative and in payment got the wood for the clock. Bought the clock movements and the glass etching stuff. I have been so proud of myself as I got 27 peoples presents under £20 I have made scarfs for the kiddies with their names on. Hubby I buy bits for and make bits. All the food will be homemade, unfortunately not all homegrown though.

[northepaul]

Can we see a picture of your efforts, Jax?
They sound amazing!!

[Jax]

Here we are, just a couple of them. The glasses are quite hard to picture.

[northepaul]

They're fab!!

[Jax]

Aww thankyou x

[Hilary B]

We have a small fibre-optic tree, and we put LED lights on a couple of olive trees near the house. We have ornaments that are several years old now, not many, but enough.
I cook the Christmas dinner on the log fire (home-grown logs, we have plenty there).
Presents, well my sisters only get 'proper' presents for their grandkids, and we haven't got any of those yet, so our 2 get 'little somethings' from them as well, and I find some interesting eats for sisters and their families, as well as book tokens (boring, but safe) for their grandkids.

[susieq100]

We didn't have a tree last year, but did put holly and ivy up in the house. I do 'hampers' of home-made goodies for relatives and then give them a small token present (less than a fiver). OH and I agree on something we both need/want and 'give' each other that. I need a new mobile phone, my number 7 key is knackered which makes dialling very selective! He hasn't decided what he wants yet - possibly new electric toothbrush. No young children in family now, but if there were they would get a bit more.

[donnakebab]

I can't remember how old our tree is...maybe 15 or so and the decorations about 5 or 6. Made the stockings for the kids years ago and my 2 daughters still at home are 22 and 23. This year we are doing a sort of secret santa with the 6 main members of the family. That's myself, himself 2 daughters 1 son and a daughter in law. We all spend a set amount of money and buy for one other member. Names out of a hat styley. I have to say it's making it a lot less stressful and expensive. I still do the stockings though and years ago I bought advent santas with little pockets for sweets that you hang up. I love getting little gifts for the stockings and this year I wrapped them in brown paper from parcel stuffing with xmas ribbon round them.

[SarrissUK]

I have an artificial tree and I bought simple baubles in two different colours, that I use alternate years for a bit of a change. Lots of tinsel that gets re-used every year. I buy very few new decorations every year, and usually only in the sale after Christmas.
Me and my daughter used wrapping paper from the gifts we got given last year, wrapped them around empty toilet rolls last year to make them look like crackers and stuck'em on a string as home made decorations. They've survived storage pretty well actually
All food will be home made - Swedish Christmas dinner (buffet with LOADS of different food) on Christmas Eve, which is when we celebrate Christmas, and then an English Christmas dinner on Christmas day. Can't wait. Might have to get the decs out now LOL

[SarrissUK]

Oh and I'm planning on doing the tri-coloured chilli jam as gifts for a lot of people this year, too.

[donnakebab]

I used to have a Swedish next door neighbour and she always has goose for Xmas. I fancy doing that this year as it was traditional here before that other american import. Never been keen on turkey but himself loves it. Might have to do both.

[SlugLobber]

We have a real tree, but it gets planted out or recycled, depending on how it looks after Christmas. Gifts are mostly home-made. I'll struggle a bit this year, as I didn't grow much (due to moving in with OH), but I'll do some courgette or beetroot/chocolate cake, plus I've got plenty of sloe gin and old elderberry wine, which I may market as 'red wine vinegar' har har! Haven't got a lot of jam stuffs left, but I could do some more green tomato chutney. Might get the machine out and make some kitcheny gifts, too. Hmmm. You've got me thinking now. I'm on a student bursary (PhD) so could really milk that, now, he he!