[Madame Cholet]

ideas tips and hints and anecdotes, recycled and home made presents and decorations.

last year I collected glass milk jugs and odd glasses from char shop, filled with jam covered with cling and paper tops cut from glossy gardening mags.

I've also seen china cups and saucers filled too.

[arugula]

As this is about recycling and frugal saving, I'll move it to frugal living.

[Madame Cholet]

 thank you arugula

[GrannieAnnie]

Ooooh, I like this thread already, come on you lot, more ideas!!   

Of course, not just for winter solstice, but any other occasion!

[Mrs Bee]

I make stitched cross stich and bead decorations for the tree and put them onto cards as a small token of friendship rather than a bought present.

Cross stitched book marks for reading friends. Embroidered and beaded hearts with scented oil for drawers and to hang in rooms.

Small hampers of preserves with homemade biscotti and almond stars and mini Christmas cakes made in pork pie tins.

All these can be made in advance and the biscotti can be made to the first stage and frozen to be baked off at the last minute.
Lakeland do nice cellophane bags for presentation

Home made mincemeat made with windfall bramleys, not eating apples or the mincemeat may ferment.

Bottles of home made liquer although this may not completely fit the frugal brief but will be much cheaper than buying the real thing.

I make candle decorations for friends for their dinner tables with oasis and greenery from the garden and sparkly bows using the wired solstice ribbons from garden centres that will be in the shops around now even tho' it is only September.

When I give them to friends they give me the trays and bows back so I can reuse them for next years table decorations.

Homemade chocolate truffles which can be made in advance and frozen in boxes until needed for the hampers. Or put in homemade boxes. Lots of nets for these in craft shops and books and once you have the templates you can use old cardboard boxes and cover with sparkly paper or cheap wallpaper lining paper and quill decorations on the boxes.

that will have to  do for now as off to hosp to visit OH and hpefully get some good news and get OH back.

But I will be back with pictures and recipes

[Madame Cholet]

think I might have a go at homemade biscuits I've got a star cutter, Delias ginger biscuits are very good too.

[mumofstig]

Here's a link to an old thread, it might help 
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=83814.msg933403#msg933403

I know there's a cookie recipe in there that I made last year

[GrannieAnnie]

Ooooh Mum, I'd forgotten about that one!

Nice ideas Mrs Ball.  You certainly keep yourself busy!

I've got lots of wine just bottled, but I am always shy about giving it to anyone as my taste might not be theirs.  Except my daughter who loves my wine!

Got to finish my crocheted shawl for my friend's new grandchild due in January, then stitch up the cushion front I knitted for greatgranddaughter, then to get on with the winter solstice cards!

I also make my daughter her Christmas cake and pudding.  Only a little one as she is the only one in her family that likes fruit cake.  The others prefer sponge.  Oh and if they survive the train journey, some mince pies, unless I make them when I am down there!    mmm good idea!

[Debz]

I put my fruit into whisky last night to give it a good soak before I make my cake.  I make it mainly for my brother in law who's mother always used to do it.

[Mrs Bee]

Ooooh Mum, I'd forgotten about that one!

Nice ideas Mrs Ball.  You certainly keep yourself busy!

I certainly do. There will be time to rest when they nail the lid on the coffin.




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[Madame Cholet]

Ooooh Mum, I'd forgotten about that one!

Nice ideas Mrs Ball.  You certainly keep yourself busy!

I certainly do. There will be time to rest when they nail the lid on the coffin.


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I love to be occupied too Mrs Ball I get bored very easily doing nothing. I think being creative is very satisfying


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