We went up to Kerry for some turf (peat) and our 'half an hour' Christmas shopping. Yep half an hour. There is nothing like going shopping when you know what you are looking for, is there? The number of times I have been queuing up with biblical multitudes for a jumper, Catherine Cookson book or a bottle of whisky on Christmas eve? The presents are bought and number one and number two son's are getting money for the January sales. Things are always so much cheaper then!
All we need to do now is start our 'Christmas Cupboard'. We started this years a go when we rented a little house, had little money and kept seeing adverts on the television for Christmas Hampers. So we decided to make our own. All you need is an empty cupboard or a big cardboard box. Then start collecting extra food tins and jam and sauce bottles and Christmas puddings, sugar, bottles of wine, cans of beer... Before you know it you will have your own Christmas Hamper/Cupboard.
There won't be any of that "lets buy everything in the supermarket" on Christmas Eve. How do people manage with the supermarkets being shut for ONE day?
You can raid it if you get bad weather and can't get to town. Especially if you live in a rural area and they don't grit the roads. Like they say:
"How do the salt gritter people get to work?"
Saw this sign yesterday. I had to buy it for the blog and the kitchen. None Irish residents if you don't get it, I will try to explain. Just ask!
All we need to do now is start our 'Christmas Cupboard'. We started this years a go when we rented a little house, had little money and kept seeing adverts on the television for Christmas Hampers. So we decided to make our own. All you need is an empty cupboard or a big cardboard box. Then start collecting extra food tins and jam and sauce bottles and Christmas puddings, sugar, bottles of wine, cans of beer... Before you know it you will have your own Christmas Hamper/Cupboard.
There won't be any of that "lets buy everything in the supermarket" on Christmas Eve. How do people manage with the supermarkets being shut for ONE day?
You can raid it if you get bad weather and can't get to town. Especially if you live in a rural area and they don't grit the roads. Like they say:
"How do the salt gritter people get to work?"
Saw this sign yesterday. I had to buy it for the blog and the kitchen. None Irish residents if you don't get it, I will try to explain. Just ask!
 |
| Domino copies the sign. |
Never ceases to amaze me how many trolley loads of stuff people deem necessary for one day of presumably unbridled gluttony. I'd bet quite a proportion of it is in the wheelie bin by New Year.
ReplyDeleteHow did we manage in years gone by when everywhere was shut every Sunday and every Bank Holiday?
Hi Cumbrian. Yes I wonder what Albert Arkwright (Open All Hours) would think of it all? I know somebody who lives in England near a Tesco Express, which is open Christmas Day in case you have forgotten anything like Cream or Christmas Puddings?
ReplyDeleteThink its a Thursday this year. So it will be a very dragged out weekend. Can't say I enjoy it these days now the kids are nearly grown up and we see to the farm animals, visit the graves and place wreaths on them. Then we have a curry, pizza and mixed buffet and watch the television. Don't suppose they will put Billy Smarts Circus on? Use to like that. Even the pubs are closed here on Christmas Day. Wish we could just fast forward to spring.
Thanks!
I think Christmas can be an awfully lonely experience for some people, Cumbrian. Plus it's also a sad time for people missing depart loved one's and having family who have emigrated for work.
ReplyDeleteThink a lot of pubs have private parties and no money is exchanged or you put in a box. Believe they use to do this in North Wales pubs on Sundays.
Wouldn't mind going on holiday away from the miserable weather and boring long weekend.
You are right though. You can have food like Turkey and drink any time. We just have a mixed buffet and everybody goes back and forth when they want something. Much better than a formal turkey and all the trimmings dinner. Less work for the wife too. Women never get a break at Christmas.
We don't do christmas.
ReplyDeleteWe didn't win the Lotto this week. I was hoping to celebrate Christmas somewhere exotic and warm. So what do you do instead of Christmas, Heron?
ReplyDeleteIt is an ordinary day Dave, there is no alternative and the only difference is that like good friday the pubs are shut, but as I rarely enter them these days it does not matter.
DeleteIt's a long and boring day for us, Heron. I rarely go in pubs these days. They are too expensive and I don't like listening to the news on the television. What ever happened to juke boxes?
DeleteI like the attitude it sums how we feel about Christmas:) Kerry is a beautiful part of Ireland we were there in the summer. Now about the sign please do tell
ReplyDeleteHi Andrea. I think Christmas is so over rated these days. Wish I lived in Winchester and celebrated a Dickensian type Christmas. Keep saying we will go to a Christmas market in Europe, but we never do.
ReplyDeleteKerry is beautiful. It's nice down here in West Cork.
The Celtic Tiger was the economic bubble that started in Ireland in 1995 and ended in 2007. American companies and banks invested in Ireland. Lots of buildings were constructed and property prices went through the roof. Then one day it ended and Ireland joined the world recession. Over 300,000 people have emigrated and unemployment stands at 14 percent. The credit stopped. A lot of people are wondering when the Celtic Tiger is going to wake up. Dublin is said to be booming. But there seems little evidence of it in rural Ireland. Thanks for your comment.
we have bought a stollen (I dont eat it) and a 2 person christmas pudding. Other than that we arent doing Christmas. We are having salmon as it is expensive and that is a treat for us. My cousin his and wife will give us a bottle of vodka and we will give them a bottle of vodka, its a joke.
ReplyDeleteYeah I have seen stollen for sale in Lidl. You don't have to conform to the turkey and trimmings dinner do you? Just enjoy the time with your special one's. Thanks!
DeleteI don't think that tiger will wake up for a long time Dave.
ReplyDeleteI agree Deb. I have tried coaxing it with biscuits and milk, but the Celtic Tiger won't wake up. Found out that last week they have put my retirement age up to sixty seven. I think it's time they brought it down to 55 and let all the young folk have jobs. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe don't 'do' Christmas as such. We will have a Yule day, for years we have tried to skip Christmas, we will have a special meal, and yes it is Turkey from a local Organic farm, you cant buy that every day of the year, veg all from the garden, homemade Pudding, yes, OK it's Christmas Pudding ! I am making quite a few this year to sell at a craft fare, I already have one booked by an artisan baker if you can believe that, he buys our eggs we buy one of his loaves every week, sort of a barter system. All but two gifts were bought today at a local craft fare, that's us done. Not even bothering to make a cake this year.
ReplyDeleteIf only the TV would stop advertising Christmas in Oct and shops would leave Christmas lights and so called goodies until Dec it might make it a little more special, most of the stuff on sale is junk anyway, destined for land fill.
I remember one St. Stephen's day we got an SOS call from one of the local shops that we supplied with eggs, would we make a delivery, well we did, despite the snow, when we got to the village there were three young children using large sturdy cardboard boxes as toboggans having a wonderful time, their expensive gifts left indoors and neglected in favour of free fun.
My late father use to buy organic poultry from M&S in Killarney, Anne. Sounds like you have a niche market for your homemade puddings?
DeleteHow much is made in China and made of plastic? Or you forgot the batteries for them.
Yes I have seen children playing with cardboard boxes instead of expensive gifts. At least you can mulch with the flattened cardboard boxes. Plastic ends up in the landfill or recycling at best.
We've a nice simple Christmas planned with the little'uns. Planning on making them a few presents so I need to get started with them soon!
ReplyDeleteHi Kev. The magic of Christmas disappears when children grow up. You could start an online wooden toy business. What about a dolls house or a Noahs Ark complete with the animals walking 2 X 2? That will keep you busy.
DeleteThanks!
I'm thinking a wendy house. Then they can play while I'm in the garden. Also a few other presents for other family members.
DeleteIf its like your mini kitchen. It will be brilliant. Can you make rocking horses, Kev? Think you have got a budding business there.
DeleteWe don't do Christmas, we treat it as an extra Sunday. Having said that, we use the hols when the family are off work to get together for a midwinter meal, chat, and if the weather is fine, good long walks together. We always make up hampers to give to our daughters and their families, this is a twice yearly thing, midwinter and midsummer.
ReplyDeleteThere is so much media pressure, if you spend enough you will have the perfect (never existed) Dickensian family Christmas. Lonely people feel more isolated because of all the media hype.
Did you see the stars last night in the clear winter sky? So beautiful. Amazing!
Hi Irene. Sounds like you are very organised at Christmas. I am hoping there are a few rock concerts in Ireland to see. Might go and see Imelda May at Killarney INEC. She's Rockabilly. Have you heard of her?
ReplyDeleteThere's some great Christmas Market city breaks on offer. Prague sounds wonderful. Think it's 156 Euros for three nights including flights and hotel. All those wonderful Czech beers to drink. I am getting tempted.
We get some wonderful stars displays here in rural Ireland. One of the few blessings of not having street lights. Thanks!
We have been to Prague and it is so wonderful so if you can go do go,it is cold but wrap up and enjoy all the splendors on offer the best food and breakfast I have ever tasted.I wish I could get a cheap trip that is fab price.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrea. I believe Prague is wonderful with its cobbled streets and wonderful architecture. Thanks for for telling me about Prague. The offer was on Done Deal and the operator is Arrrow Tours. Ryan Air fly from Dublin to Prague. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt's 195 Euro now for 3 nights. That's still cheap though!
ReplyDelete𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬/ 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐬 / 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐫. Kham. 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐏𝐄𝐒) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐛𝐲 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬. 𝐢 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧-𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐏𝐄𝐒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐃𝐫. Kham 𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐇𝐒𝐕-𝟐 𝐬𝐨 𝐢 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐫. Kham 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐢 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐢 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐛𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐲! 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐚 (UPS 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞)𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬! 𝐢 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐞 (𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆) 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝! 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢 𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐨 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐰! 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐚𝐝𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐢𝐦 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐦𝐞! 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐨𝐧 dr.khamcaregiver@𝐠𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥.𝐜𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐬-𝐚𝐩𝐩 +𝟐𝟑𝟒8159922297 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 him on his website: drkhamherbalhealingcenter.wordpress.com/
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