It’s December, the end of another year, everyone is winding down for the holidays, maybe hoping for a relaxing time. Maybe not… Whether you are celebrating Christmas or not, its a good opportunity to catch up with family and friends. One thing is for sure when we have a cosy inviting home, we like to share it with others. When you choose Perfect Choice it’s our aim to help you achieve a home you’ll be proud to invite family and friends to. It’s what we do best.
Holiday Time Treasures
So what will you be getting up to? What plans have you made? Winter walks? Games by the fire? Bake off in the kitchen? (see our recipes to get you started) We will explore some of the ideas and activities we can enjoy but first….
We’d like to acknowledge that we’re living in a time where we need to make wise decisions regarding our spending. Most of us will be concerned about energy prices and the impact that may have on heating our homes.
So how can we spend wisely especially if there are areas in our home that need attention? We need to avoid false economies thus making the best use of our home improvement fund by focusing on the projects that will enhance plus save us time long term. An example are fascia’s and soffits, to change to a maintenance free option or keep getting the ladders and paint out.
Or perhaps you had been hoping to move house to extend your living space but now are not so sure. Why not have a look at the variety of Conservatories and Orangeries that Perfect Choice can supply. It is an efficient way to make a family friendly home without having to move.
It’s also a great space to plan some family fun. So to the Bake Off, The Best Pudding, Cocktail, Chocolate Truffles Mmmm.
WE can have a great deal of fun when we create our own entertainment. Getting everyone involved is sure to increase the merriment and make the eyes twinkle. Here are some ideas for doing just that:
A super easy Mini Christmas Pudding recipe c/o Tesco Recipes
Ingredients
410g jar mincemeat
1 orange, finely zested
1 apple, grated
2tbsp treacle
2tbsp brandy
150g (5oz) light muscovado sugar
50g (2oz) suet
2 eggs, beaten
1tsp mixed spice
pinch ground cloves
150g (5oz) self-raising flour
double cream and orange zest, to serve
Method
Grease 6 dariole moulds and 6 small squares of tin foil. Add water to a large pan with a steamer attachment and bring to the boil.
Spoon the mincemeat into a large bowl and stir in the orange zest, then pour over the juice of half the orange.
Stir in the remaining ingredients, making sure you add the self-raising flour last. Combine well. Divide the mixture between the moulds and cover well with the foil, curling it under the rim of each mould.
Put the puddings in the steamer, turn the heat down and steam for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes. They will keep warm in the steamer for up to 45 minutes (or make them the day before, then reheat in the steamer for 30 minutes). Serve with thick cream and orange zest.
If you wish to make it gluten free change the flour accordingly and dairy free, check the ingredients carefully and replace double cream with Oatly single cream or their whip-able custard.
Non-alcoholic Mulled Wine c/o BBC Good Food
Ingredients
500ml pomegranate juice
25g golden caster sugar
handful of frozen blackberries
250ml apple juice
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise
4 cloves
3 black peppercorns
1 orange, quartered
Method
Put the pomegranate juice, sugar, blackberries and apple juice in a saucepan. Add the cinnamon, star anise, cloves, peppercorns and orange. Gently heat the wine until simmering then taste for sweetness and adjust accordingly, finally strain into heatproof glasses.
Party On!
Holiday Time Days Out or In
Check out these events that are going on in December 2022 to January 2023. A few that caught my eye were:
- Bake with Santa at Harts Barn
- Treasure Island – at the Savoy
- Twilight Adventure Golf at Whitemead Forest Park
- Snow White – A Classic Pantomine
In the Forest of Dean there are some lovely walks from Beechenhurst if you’re feeling energetic.
But then there’s always the traditional family game of Monopoly or Scrabble so if you prefer to relax in front of the fire – grab a board game and see how long the peace lasts… All in good fun of course!
As the year comes to an end, don’t forget to bring Perfect Choice into your plans for a fabulous new year of home comforts.
Call us to see how we can help on 01989 769992 and follow us on Facebook. Pop across to our Instagram page too!
