All things Christmas..
Hey guys 👋
So I'm not sure about you guys, but I know this time of year brings up a LOT of emotion for me. Some are heart-felt heart-warming emotions, whilst others... not so much. Whilst being a pretty difficult time of year for me (I won't bore you with the details) I also find it brings out a bit of the old childish me that still likes to try and believe there is magic and good in this world!
Anyway... moral of the story. I thought we could try and bring some christmas magic and spirit to our community by sharing some fun and exciting christmas ideas? Maybe you have a tradition in your home where you like to bake gingerbread cookies like @Janine-RO to share with loved ones, or you enjoy making handmade gifts for others? Idk.. absolutely any ideas are welcome!! If you would like to share links and photos of some creative christmas ideas and recipies I would LOVE to see and hear all about them 😍
It could also be fun to have little baking or craft sessions together where we can share our masterpieces, or not so masterpieces.. 😂 It's all just for a bit of fun and a nice distraction for when times might be tough over this break and we are needing some support and something to keep our mind busy..
So if you'd like to join me, I'd LOVE the company! I've already signed @Lost_Space_Explorer5 and @Eden1717 up for some christmas cookie baking which I know they are just ecstatic about! 😘😂
Looking forward to seeing what you all come up with! And thanks for being a community of incredible humans I can always rely on ❤
I love DIY stuff. They have a special atmosphere that is not present in store items. In this case, I understand that the person tried, tried to create something unique to give it to me. I really appreciate such people! Recently, a friend of mine decided to surprise me. It all started with the fact that she wanted to take a photo with me, but since I do not like to be photographed, she had to try to get a General photo. After she still received this photo, she ordered a custom keychain from https://getcustomphonecase.com/collections/custom-photo-keychain. This is really a very cool gift, which constantly reminds me of her, as well as how she tried to take a picture of us for a week 🙂
Couldn't agree with you more @Kintigo 😊 I actually hate getting presents unless they're homemade lol
@MB95 omg I love this thread idea!
I just made this recipe (linked below) and I'm literally the worst cook but my friends and family really liked them so I'm thinking it's one to keep. I would definitely try them out!!
https://www.taste.com.au/recipes/gingerbread-men/3a04ab1d-a84a-424f-800a-7ebcbe92fa09
On Christmas Day I really want to try these:
And this was my inspiration for Christmas this year!
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, I hope you all have a beautiful day with your family and friends 
Aww I'm glad you like it @celestialdreamer and thanks for joining and posting!! 😊 I understand Christmas can be a pretty intense and emotional time so wanted to try and create a bit of a fun themed thread to help keep us all busy and distracted during the crazy times!
I might have to give that gingerbread recipie a crack for next year! That was the one I had and was actually gonna bake till @Janine-RO jumped in with her favourite recommended recipe so I decided to give hers a try instead (it's delicious so maybe one for you to try next year?).
Your Christmas day ideas look like fun!! If you're up for it, I'd love to see how they turn out! 😍
I'm planning to do some baking today, just trying to decide what treats everyone wants for tomorrow.. rocky road has been decided as a definite so far!
I'm not much of a baking person, but I like making decorations and stuff. 🙂
Some Christmas ideas:
- DIY bunting
- DIY gift boxes
- Painting Christmas tree baubles
- DIY Christmas-themed bookmarks
Nah, I haven't baked anything else @Eden1717! Told ya I'd be worn out after the other day and that the fact it was a gift is what motivated me to do it lol I might do some more when I go home cause mum wanted to do some with me so we'll see!
@WheresMySquishy thanks for contributing such awesome ideas!! I LOVE when new people join and share ideas, it makes my heart so happy!! Have you tried making any of your suggestions this year yet?
@MB95 oh it makes me so happy to hear that you made the gingerbread!! Yay!!! It sounds like you went very hard with the baking so I'm not surprised you need a bit of a rest lol.
I am considering attempting a gingerbread house with my little people, but I'm going to be honest- we did one last year and ours looked pretty close to the bottom picture 
I also just wanted to take the opportunity to wish you all all of the best wishes in the world for the Xmas time, I know it can often be a really mixed time of year for so many of us. This is my last day at RO until the beginning of January (which is a SUPER weird feeling!!) but I will be thinking of you all over the break. A very merry festivus to all of you! You are all amazing humans and I feel very privileged to get to be a part of this community
@Janine-RO the gingerbread was so yummy!! Going to have another baking day tomorrow now that I'm home with family so thinking I might give them another crack! Not game enough to try a house though.. mine would definately look like that second pic ahahaha I know you won't be seeing this till you're back at work but I hope your kiddies enjoy making one, it's always so much more fun with kids around!!
Also, I couldn't have said it any better.. this is such a special community to be a part of. Especially at times of the year like this where things can be extra tricky to deal with. I feel a lot more at ease knowing I have you all in my corner when I need someone to help me through it. I hope you and your family also have a wonderful Christmas and you are enjoying your time off! Can't wait to 'see' you round again soon! Thanks for being such an incredible community manager, RO is so lucky to have ya!!
Hmm.. @tacket cocktails are always a lot of fun so I like the way you're thinking!! 😍 And glad to hear you're of age cause we obviously don't condone drinking on here.. but nice Christmas cocktails are always a bit of fun for the festive season so I'm sure it's all good! Do you like mango? We made really yummy mango ones last year, just gotta remember what we put in them lol I'm gonna have a look shortly for some for us to make so if I find some goodies I'll share! 😊 Are you just looking for drink ideas or foods as well?
Currently, I'm looking for ideas for a party. Food-related. I've already found some good (no worries, I'm 18) and now I'm looking for some cocktails ideas, something not really heavy.
hey @MB95, thanks for starting this thread, it's been great seeing all the yummy and lovely pictures that everyone has posted already!
I would say that some of my favourite aspects of Christmas is Christmas desserts...really putting that time into making fancy, tasty things you wouldn't put the effort in ordinarily 
For some reason I've been really craving popcorn balls lately, and there have been some really nice ones floating around...
plus this popcorn Christmas tree!
I'll get us started..
Here's a pretty cool idea I found the other day! I'm in the process of making one for the staff that work in my psychs office cause they've been a huge support for me this year and I feel like the work they do doesn't always get acknowledged. They are saving lives, literally.
And the link if anyone wants to try making their own.. 😊
http://www.thirstyfortea.com/2014/12/19/christmas-tea-trees/
Awwww @MB95 that is such a cute and extremely thoughtful idea! About to go into a meeting but will pop back after with two of my favourite Xmas recipes that I like to cook for people 🙂
those trees are cute @MB95 I havent got any good ideas yet but i will think of some and come back to post them.
Edit: oh actually making Christmas tree cupcakes would be fun and pretty simple.
OMG @Eden1717!! They are amazing!!! What wins over your heart most? Baking cookies or making these lil delights?! 😍
@MB95 Hmm idk but I like both cookies and cupcakes so it is a hard choice between the 2.
Hmm.. so do I hear you saying both?! 😂 @Eden1717 Gonna be a crazy baking day!!
Haha @Eden1717 I have to say that I do love the look of a cupcake with that kind of icing to cake ratio!! Looks awesome!
Here's my contribution to the Xmas goodness- @MB95 I realised that *this* one actually is my favourite one (I've tried way too many recipes lol!). I do usually up the spices though.
@MB95 I also love that you've acknowledged that Xmas and the end of year can often be a bit of a weird time for people for so many reasons - I think that is so important to remember
Okay.. I'm sorry but POPCORN TREES AND BALLS!?!?!?! WHAT!?!?! I have never heard of them before @TOM-RO so thankyou for sharing!! They look AMAZING!! I was wondering how the heck they stuck together... with MARSHMALLOWS?! My mind is blown! I am totally using this idea and making them as little gifts 😍 If I'd seen them early enough I would have made them to add in my psychs staff xmas present! Next year..
@Janine-RO GUESS WHAT I MADE TODAY!?!? Your gingerbread recipe! And they are soooo good! I was on a time limit cause I made those, choc pistachio cookies, white choc and coconut brownies and nutella and chocolate brownies for my psychs office staff and didn't realise it would take an ENTIRE day to bake, literally!! 🤦♀️ So I ran out of time to decorate them which I was really upset about cause I feel so stupid giving them to them with no pretty decorations!!! But I'm going to ice some tomorrow so I can try out the icing cause it sounds good with the lemon! So bummed about how today turned out. I made all this stuff and then the staff that usually work with me weren't even there. You'll see it on my personal thread so I'm not gonna go into it here cause this is meant to be a fun christmas thread!! Was just bummed out. But the baking was so much fun! I played christmas carols all day and just focused on the baking and found it so theraputic! Totally recommend it to you all if you need a good distraction!!! Get the beats going and the goods baking
And yes.. Christmas is a werid time. ❤
So these are the cookies I made today.. they tasted good but if anyone can work out how on earth they manage to get 40 out of a batch, please do let me know cause I was lucky to get 20 and they were miniature! Ahaha
Chocolate Pistachio Cookies:
And.. my brownies looked like this! Thought they were pretty cool!! I did use my own recipies for those though which I don't have links too but happy to share if anyone is wanting to try cause they are gooood! @Lost_Space_Explorer5 can vouch for the white choc coconut ones!
BUT.. little tip.. if you do try make them look all christmassy and pretty like I did. Maybe don't plan to transport them in a tropical town. The icing melts VERY quickly and you end up with strawberry mudslides down the brownies 😂 I was so upset at the time and so goddam embarrassed giving it to them but now I'm just laughing at how rediculous my afternoon was. Ugh. The joys. That's the highs and lows Christmas brings I guess.. was plenty of each today! 😂
Thanks @Lost_Space_Explorer5!! It absolutely killed me but I enjoyed it!! Can gaurentee I would not have baked so much in a day if it wasn't for gifts cause holey shit it's tiring and takes foreverrrr 😂 Do you think you'll do any baking or cooking over the break?
