FabSwingers.com forum: Tell me you (low effort) Christmas hacks!

By (user no longer on site) OP
4 weeks ago

I m a big fan of a low fuss Christmas. Some years I enjoy an anti-consumerism/frugal crimbo, not scrooge!, just not insane slavishness to consumerist madness.

My reusable (15 year+) tree is up, apparently you need to use them for more than 10 times for it to be better for the environment than real trees. It still looks OK to me.

I ve just told the kids to put all the empty boxes (for decorations) into my home office, and put all clutter in there. Only need three Christmas rooms downstairs, all Xmas clutter plonked into office until after Christmas.

No need for new Decs, old ones still all look good.

I ll be buying easy to cook foods too, ready made sides etc. No need for slaving away in the kitchen.

So do you go ALL out for days on end, or just stock up on coal fires, hot chocs and turkey sambos for a 2 days before returning to normal.

Oh, I also limit spending on nieces and nephews to a token present each. Family don't want clutter, no one does.

What's your take on it all?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
4 weeks ago

somewhere

When you have kids that believe in Santa I think you should go all out with whatever you can afford.

As a member of a very large family we used to do Kriskindle up till covid times and then because we couldn't meet up on Christmas day it stopped and never started back

It was mad since everyone knew what they were getting anyway and since the youngest in the family is 19 everyone can afford to buy their own stuff

Absolutely hate an overstocked fridge where you can't even figure out what's in there

Prefer small quantities of good food to graze on over the 2 days

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *he KakapoMan
4 weeks ago

A nice rock

Low effort is for the other 50weeks of the year (and fab)

I'm all in on Christmas

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *eordie.Woman
4 weeks ago

The Sticks

I just don't do it - any of it

No decorations

No dinner

I'm one of the few who relish spending the couple of days on my own in blissful hibernation...pottering and grazing to my heart's content watching shite tv

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site) OP
4 weeks ago

I ve a second tree, that I m dropping to St V de P today, one is plenty, no need for the hassle of two. 😅😅😅

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site) OP
4 weeks ago

"I just don't do it - any of it

No decorations

No dinner

I'm one of the few who relish spending the couple of days on my own in blissful hibernation...pottering and grazing to my heart's content watching shite tv"

Sounds harmonious to me 👌🙂

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *razySexyCoolCorkWoman
4 weeks ago

Cork

I don't overdo it on anything but I do celebrate Christmas and enjoy the family time and time with friends.

Every so often there's another person missing so I relish the ones that are still there.

Obviously that happens outside of Christmas too, Christmas just hits differently.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *asuallyChilledMan
4 weeks ago

Drogheda

I go for as easy a day of cooking as possible. Totally agree with ready made sides. Mash potato is mash potato. No need to do anything except 3min in a microwave. Same with any side that isn't much better homemade (Brussels, Roasties, Gravy). I usually boil a small (8kg) ham the night before and bake on the day. Don't do a full bird ever. Chicken Breasts wrapped in Pancetta. One person person. One extra for the day and another two for sambos.

♂️♀️⚧️🐉🦄🌈

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
4 weeks ago

We don’t go all out anymore now that the kids are adults.

Our artificial tree has served us well for the past 5years, added a few new decorations here & there

Presents yes, nice Christmas dinner absolutely, but we’re not getting into debt for the sake of a few nice days

To be honest, i will only be indulging on crap food for 3 or 4 days max. Thankfully the gym is only closed on Christmas Day. I hate interruptions to training schedules. Priorities right

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ourtJesterMan
4 weeks ago

carlow

If you want to avoid christmas parties or family events begin telling kids in their immediate circle that santa is not real and you will get uninvited reeeeeeal quick.

Nice whiskey, bitta gaming and no stupid social family events you don't want to go To

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *unflowerWoman
4 weeks ago

Dublin

I just travel. Escape Christmas is the best choice 😂

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oxyvixen99Woman
4 weeks ago

Newtownabbey

We love christmas in our house but it's kept very low key. We do our own thing with the kids and are led by them so it's as chilled as possible with a xmas dinner for some and pizza or goujons for others

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oo32Man
4 weeks ago

tipperary

I'm putting up no tree or decorations this year,I'll prob spend the day with family..I don't know yet

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *razyNippleLoverMan
4 weeks ago

Back End of Beyond

I wrapped our fully decorated tree in industrial cling film before putting it in the attic, brought it down last week not a bother on it . !!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ozzlesMan
4 weeks ago

galway

I'm fairly ambivalent about Christmas but I make an effort out of habit and for those around me.

I do like the time off work though.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site) OP
4 weeks ago

"I wrapped our fully decorated tree in industrial cling film before putting it in the attic, brought it down last week not a bother on it . !!"

Genius!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ind PaddyMan
4 weeks ago

South County Dublin

I'll be putting up Xmas tree which i have for at least 20 years.

Just ordered turkey crown and small ham.

Small Christmas celebrations but will not go to mad

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ind PaddyMan
4 weeks ago

South County Dublin

"I just travel. Escape Christmas is the best choice 😂"

Did that one year. Went to 4 star hotel service terrible in Ireland. Never again.

I would love to fly to canaries for Xmas at least it should be sunny

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *eeking_sensuality77Woman
4 weeks ago

Athlone

As a single person with no children I just turn up! With a few gifts in tow of course. I've actually never cooked a Christmas dinner! Won't be changing that anytime soon either if I can help it! 8 nieces and nephews with a 20 quid budget for each and gifts for my parents and that's it. It's all my budget allows. Heard some crazy statistic on the radio this morning about the amount of people who borrow for Christmas. Needless to say with the brain fog I can't remember that stat now but I got a shock thats all I know.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *he_Secret_GardenWoman
4 weeks ago

Naughty Lane

"I just travel. Escape Christmas is the best choice 😂"
did that for few years too 🤣 to avoid cooking.lol

But I do love Christmas Decorations!😇

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *exyScientistsCouple
4 weeks ago

Castlebar

Pizza for Christmas Dinner. Usually one of us working Christmas.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *itygamesMan
4 weeks ago

I dont do it , all the hassle hussle and bussle for a sunday roast...

No tree , no decorations, no cards etc etc , i will cook a Sunday roast though, lamb.....

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *og-ManMan
4 weeks ago

somewhere

"Pizza for Christmas Dinner. Usually one of us working Christmas. "

Do you do the dinner another day

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *orthsouth4957Couple
4 weeks ago

swords

We don't go mad but love christmas and getting the tree up and lights on. Love the christmas vib, family and friend time together with time off work. Great to make lasting memories 😁🎄🤶⛪️

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *exyScientistsCouple
4 weeks ago

Castlebar

"Pizza for Christmas Dinner. Usually one of us working Christmas.

Do you do the dinner another day "

Sometimes I'll just do a roast dinner another day but it's not a crazy Christmas Dinner. Not a big family affair here at all and that's fine by us

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *adger BrocMan
4 weeks ago

Co. Cork

As long as there is plenty spiced beef and a few bottles of 8%+ abv craft beers I'm sorted.

🍖🍺

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *aid backMan
4 weeks ago

by a lake with my rod out

"I just don't do it - any of it

No decorations

No dinner

I'm one of the few who relish spending the couple of days on my own in blissful hibernation...pottering and grazing to my heart's content watching shite tv"

Preach!!!!! I normally offer to work over Xmas

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
4 weeks ago

I’m working myself Christmas Eve & Christmas Day…didn’t go down well at home 😂

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *panishRebelMan
4 weeks ago

Alicante Spain, and Cork City Ireland

"If you want to avoid christmas parties or family events begin telling kids in their immediate circle that santa is not real and you will get uninvited reeeeeeal quick.

Nice whiskey, bitta gaming and no stupid social family events you don't want to go To"

In my case I think, that may have led partly to my divorce. Which may or may not be desirable. 🤣

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *inky Bear and VicsCouple
4 weeks ago

Northern Ireland

A bit of a mix. My butcher will do an amazing Turkey crown, their stuffing is the best and also their pigs in blankets. The ham will be from Lidl. I'll do my own veg, nobody likes the horrible green balls anyway and the cranberry sauce will come from a jar.

I can't deal with gravy granules so I'll make my own gravy from the meat juices.

I'll have enough to eat for three days and I won't be cooking again in that time. We will eat it cold on a plate with cheese and chutneys. We will probably have Christmas pudding for some of our main meals for few days. It's fruit right? Good for you!

I'm not a big drinker. I'll eat my weight in Terry's Chocolate instead and watch animated kids movies.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *eard and BoobsCouple
4 weeks ago

Portstewart

Our meats for Xmas dinner are already cooked,cooled cut bagged and frozen in the appropriate portion sizes we want. Our sides are bought ready to cook so the only proper cooking to do is to boil the spuds while everything's heating in the oven. Last year we changed from having a tree to a glass cabinet with internal lights so our tree decorations are in it and it gets tonsil around the frame

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ueen_MeadhbhWoman
4 weeks ago

sligo

Low effort like every other year. As a single parent was never in a position to splurge. Santa gave small gifts. Anything big was from me.

Food or drink. Never buy more than is needed for a Sunday dinner.

I've always loved decorating make a lot of my own

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oves_funMan
4 weeks ago

Cork City

My living room is my Christmas room. My Tree is in it's 12th year, despite a little wear and tear (like myself

) is still looking well. The rest of the house is as it would be the rest of the year. I'm all for celebrating Christmas but not making it an extravaganza

Fortunate that my parents are still alive and healthy, as years pass each one is more treasured.

Health, happiness, being surrounded by family and loved ones is what it's all about for me, the rest is pretty unimportant.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *iamond_AligoCouple
4 weeks ago

letterkenny

I love Christmas.boxes and boxes of decorations decend from the attic every year.some are 20 or more years old. Tree was in its 18th year and died this year so got a new one.£35 in home bargains.now that is a bargain.

just spent the day with himself up a ladder putting up the outside lights.Smaller amount for Xmas dinner this year but I just cook what I know they eat,along with the turkey and ham. Just enjoy the time with family.xx

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *dfabMan
4 weeks ago

Dunboyne

3 artificial trees up and lit here but 2 are just wee 6ft ones for effect whilst main one in hall is 12ft and the same in age.

Just the 4 of us alone on the day this year so it's a time to splurge on a bronze turkey crown and cherry wood smoked ham but from Lidl not M&S

I do love the spirit of the season but hate spending silly money on it so small but quality is my motto.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ex coupleCouple
4 weeks ago

wexford

"I just don't do it - any of it

No decorations

No dinner

I'm one of the few who relish spending the couple of days on my own in blissful hibernation...pottering and grazing to my heart's content watching shite tv"

Are you the grinch’s younger sister ?

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *ilthyNightsCouple
4 weeks ago

East / North, Cork

We go all out for Christmas with 5 kids in the house (6 next year). 6 advent calendars this year (the kids and the dog get one each).

To save a bit of time and money we have reciprocal agreements that we don't get big pressies for friends and family members, and we get cousins small charity shop finds or something made rather than bought.

Also we prebuy and preprepare as much food as as possible. We will research the best quality bargain food bits each year and get as much local produce as possible from bartering and swaps at the farmers market, with the rest mostly from the Lidl/Aldi.

Presents for the kids will be a mixture of locally sourced bits with some black Friday electronics steals.

The tree is a real one at €25 from Lidl. We get 1 or 2 new decorations each year and pack everything carefully at the end to keep them nice for the next year. We don't wrap most presents to try and reduce the ridiculous quantity of packaging thrown away. Reusable bags are used where possible.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *itygamesMan
4 weeks ago

[Removed by poster at 10/12/24 07:17:30]

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *astelloWoman
4 weeks ago

Far far away

Really good eco initiatives. Love it. Brown wrapping paper with some red ribbon for gift wrapping. Reuse Christmas bags many times. The cats and dogs get lots of tasty left overs.

I bought lots at a craft fair this year so most friends got locally made gifts. Buy local than from large chain.

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *rRiosMan
4 weeks ago

dublin

"We go all out for Christmas with 5 kids in the house (6 next year)"

Congratulations! I don’t know how you have anytime for basically anything never mind fab

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *oughal23Man
4 weeks ago

Dungarvan

I try to lock the door and hibernate lol. Living out in the countryside it is easy to do, except for when family invites themselves to stay . I deal with the public all day so getting alone time is nice. I am not a scrooge, I have 9 kids to buy for (none belonging to me ) but for me Christmas is just one day of eating too much and watching rubbish TV lol

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By (user no longer on site)
4 weeks ago

"Low effort is for the other 50weeks of the year (and fab)

I'm all in on Christmas"

I agree 100%, Christmas is a magical time especially if there's wee people around..

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

By *razyNippleLoverMan
4 weeks ago

Back End of Beyond

I'll be turning on me outside lights tomorrow night, if you all want to have your sunglasses ready

Love to decorate and all hands on deck helping.

The hack , is that many hands make light work, so I make it fun not a chore !!

Reply privately

Reply in forum

Reply +quote

Post new Message to Thread