I did a little pre-Christmas baking.
I wanted to see if I still had enough manual dexterity to decorate a batch of gingerbread people. I think I’ve still got it – what do you think? I started by added gold candy stars, but moved to red and white mini candy canes when I ran out. I think I prefer the gold stars… maybe time to get some more, for the next batch?
We had the SILs around this morning to strategise Christmas day catering. They were happy to help us with our slight excess gingerbread problem… Thankfully, Christmas is going to be nice and simple; the Dowager will be on a cruise, so everyone else will be happy with a buffet meal, but lunch (rather than dinner) was preferred so that some of the younger members can spend time with other family in the evening. It means we probably won’t eat on the deck, as it’ll be just too hot at that time of day, but we have enough comfy chairs for inside, and doggo will have to give up his sofa just for the day… There will be lots of reproachful stares and starvation impersonations, but so long as there’s a steady stream of treats and bits of chicken, he’ll cope.
So far, my catering is limited to roasting a couple of chickens, carving some ham, making a salad and some cupcakes and arranging stuff on platters and in bowls. I think I can cope with that, and anything else I want to add is a ‘nice to have’ and not necessary.
Now, that sounds like a restful Christmas!
talltalesfromchiconia 
Your Gingers look fabulous… an auspicious start to festive season preparation.
I put my lights up today too. It just felt right, although it’s earlier than usual. It was a gloomy wet day…
Adorable cookies! I’d certainly be willing to help you with your excess gingerbread problem. I’m going to try to make some pumpkin bread tomorrow if my sweet and rambunctious foster dog will chill out for a while. (I can tell that she’s feeling much better because keeping her still and off her post-op knee when she’s out of the crate is like trying to stop a train with a rubber band!😂)
Funny that, the SILs were helpful in that respect too! I wish you lots of luck with doggo; sometimes the only solution is even more crate time, but that’s not great for them either. Not sure what I’d do if Mouse needed to be held back when he wanted to lark about…
Oh yes, still got it. They look just perfect. Sounds like the family have got it all sorted for Christmas, and not to onerous for anyone.
Yes, it won’t be too tiring. It seems I’ve married into a family that doesn’t really ‘do’ Christmas, but I’m reserving the right to hold forth in the kitchen if I want to. Strangely, I’m not getting any complaints on that front…
Cute! I love the little stars, hooray for manual dexterity, you’ve definitely still got it!!
I surprised myself 😁
Your gingerbread people look stunning – will these keep until Christmas or will taste-testing be underway….?
Taste testing is over… Between the Husband, the SILs and me, we finished the lot. Doggo volunteered but was informed these were not hound-friendly. Huge dudgeon ensued… There will be another batch for Christmas.
I love the holidays—company always over-whelms me, but I still love the holidays.
I agree, too many people at once is draining. We’ll be only be 8, which is perfectly fine, and everyone was keen on a buffet instead of a sit-down lunch, so that’s even less stress!
Buffets are really nice.
Your cookies look so much better than anything I would make. Looks like a successful practice run!
It’s the right tools. You need a fine enough nozzle on the piping bag and the right consistency of icing. Having said that, no-one commented on the decorations, only the taste!
That is probably because the decorations were spot on!
I shall tell myself that is the reason 😁
The Gingerbread looks super !! My baking has started as well. A big batch of Fruit Cakes made for presents… going to do some sugar cookies today if I have time. There’s a meet with the club on Saturday so packing will be in progress 🥳
I have very little baking I HAVE to do, since the family isn’t huge on traditional Christmas flavours. So there will just be a tiny cake, a single batch of mince pies, a single batch of gingerbread, and maybe some cookies as take-home gifts.
Mine are mainly gifts for friends as everyone has everything and I love this time of year as you well know 🤩
Oh, I do know 😁
Your gingerbread people look lovely! If you have to entertain then sharing the cooking out sounds a brilliant idea. I find the notion of it being too hot on Christmas day hard to get my head round even though I know that is how it is for you. Whatever the weather and the arrangements have a good time and put the lights up whenever you feel l;ike it – mine stay up all year – just get augmented at Christmas.
I got the front lights done yesterday, but since we’re not sitting on the back porch in the evening, no one will see any lights in the back, so I might just boost the front ones with the second lot of lights! Another upside of people bringing dishes is that they take their own leftovers and dirty dishes home with them!
These are so cute! Together it looks like they are all doing happy dances 😊.
That’s what I thought too!
Your gingerbread people are (were!) way cuter than mine ever had a chance of being. Sounds like a perfect plan for Christmas Day. 😊
Coming up with different ‘outfits’ for them was the fun part. I think Christmas will be enjoyably stress free this year.
I love gingerbread, my boss makes yummy GF ones. I’m trying the recipe tomorrow. Will make stars instead of people this year
That sounds yummy too! If you need GF recipes, let me know, as I have 10 year’s worth from being misdiagnosed as coeliac 🫤
For some reason, I can’t get the like button to click today. Having a tech problem day as it goes. Love all the work on the gingerbread men. Saw some on Facebook that reminded me of yours but had a funny slant to it. I have not made cookies this year so you are well ahead of me and Christmas is over already. I just baked banana and pumpkin bread but have already given away a great deal of it. Christmas comes and goes so fast that I’d better start now or I’ll not be ready again next year. I love your gingerbread men and your plans on how to spend Christmas. Ours was quiet and simple too.