The countdown has begun……. If you haven’t done your gift shopping by now, it’s probably best to not leave it any longer! The shops may be busy but then again, many people will already be away on holiday so you may find the malls not too crowded.
Stuck for ideas? Go the easy route and buy gift vouchers (for books, clothing stores, garden centres, spas or beauty salons, CD and DVD shops, shopping malls, etc) which will be a treat for anyone. At least this way you won’t waste money on a gift someone won’t like and have to return anyway. Teens also like money so they can choose their own gift.
To make it look more like a gift, you can buy a Christmas money envelope, available from greeting card shops or stationers, and attach it to a box of chocolates.
Festive menus
Have you made a menu for Christmas dinner or other festive meals you will be having? This way you won’t forget anything as you write down everything you’ll need, course by course – starters, mains and dessert. Buy tin foil, cling wrap, serviettes, Christmas crackers, if you haven’t yet done so.
Prepare as much as possible before the day, such as pastry for Christmas mince pies (this can be frozen until the day you are making them), meringue for pavlova (can be stored in a tin), and if you are attempting to make homemade chocolate truffles for gifts or the table, these can be prepared beforehand and kept in the fridge. Tinned foods can be bought now, as well as packet stuffing mixes.
On Friday, December 22 you can buy all the fresh food, as long as it will be refrigerated, including fresh vegetables, milk, fresh cream, butter, sauces and the meat if you haven’t already bought it.
Depending on what time your Christmas meal is planned for, start early with things like setting the table, taking out all the crockery you’ll need, peeling vegetables and even pre-cooking potatoes so they are ready to roast. Take out wine glasses and make sure you have sliced lemon and orange, as well as enough ice. Chill the white wine and uncork the red wine.
Read the guidelines for how long the meat will take to roast and put in the oven at the required time. Make use of the oven if you are only cooking one piece of meat and there is still extra space. Carrots can be cut lengthwise and placed in tin foil (shiny side up) with a few knobs of butter and black pepper. I always use duck fat for my roast potatoes, (available at Woolies) this gives them a golden finish and a delicious taste. If you are using frozen veggies, take them out of the freezer early on and put into microwave dishes or pans.
Prepare the starter, either plated or snacks, and whip fresh cream for the dessert (if you need it). Cover and place in the fridge.
If you are well prepared you won’t feel anxious and you will be able to enjoy a wonderful Christmas lunch or dinner with your family and friends. All that is left is to pour yourself a glass of wine and relax!
Support BiC
Before you know it school will be beginning again and you’ll be out and about buying stationery. BiC is once again supporting the disadvantaged, so when you purchase any one of 20 specially marked BiC packs carrying the ‘Buy a Pen, Donate a Pen’ sticker, you’ll be giving underprivileged children the tools they need for learning. Pens donated this way will be distributed to disadvantaged schools across the country through the READ Foundation. Specially marked BiC packs will be available at all major retailers nationally.
That’s it for 2017, enjoy a beautiful Christmas and magical New Year, drive safely, and see you in 2018. Oh, and of course shop till you drop, if you still have the energy!
Julie
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