The 12 ways of Christmas – The Festive Drinks

One of the things that I remember from Christmas was the abundance of things. The seasonal drinks cupboard got topped up.

There were 4 standout things that were brought into the house only for the Christmas period.

Babycham

A sparkling Perry (fermented pear) drink. In packs of 4 little bottles, and aimed fair square at a female audience. Loved by my mother.

Warninks Advocaat

What is Christmas without a "Snowball", made with Advocaat,and lemonade, Lime and ice if you're a bit fancy. A fluffy yellow treat for the teens.

Port

"Port and Lemon". Another post-war favourite, relying on the memory and traditions carried forward. If you couldn't talk your way into a Port and Lemon you would fall back on the Snowball

Watneys Party Seven

Also available as a Party Four. Contained 7 or 4 pints of beer. Could only have been 3.9% ABV of  English Bitter. Came with a can opener. Usually resulted in half the contents spraying over the guests as it had not settled or had just arrived.  Needless to say the last "offering" was only available to the adults and only after bedtime for the children. The adults would congregate in the back room, and smoke and drink, play cards.

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• Raise a glass: Babycham is back! (Just in time for the Christmas party season...) (dailymail.co.uk)

Growing up – the one with the leaving home.

#1 Son is about to leave the parental home and set up a love nest with this girlfriend. It's been a while coming.

As a father I'm pleased that he's at last making his way in the world and leaving home to set out anew is a big step for anyone to take.

So they've found a place to live, and it sounds very 70's. They have a few things between them, or rather the girlfriend has a few things, since she's been living away from her parents for a few years. #1 son brings nothing to the table, not even a table.

We're going to help with the bond for the flat, but MrsPdubyah is reluctant to do more than that. Which is strange possibly because deep down she does not want him to leave the house. You'd think she'd be all for setting him up and letting him go. Proves you can be married for many many years and really not get your partner.

Anyway west down to talk about what they might need to get them into a normal life. The list went like this;

• Broadband


• Fridge


• Washing Machine


• Table and Chairs


• Crockery


• Knives and forks


• Chest of draws for clothes


• Electricity Account

in that order. Really yes.

Last night #1 son had an intense hour on the interwebtubes looking at the price of broadband plans.

I'm sure he'll be right, his girlfriend will sort out his lack of ability to pick up dirty clothes and to his inability to find the kitchen sink to wash plates up. It's a big challenge.

One thing MrsPdubyah did say to #1 Son was that because they didn't have a washing machine that he'd be fine to drop off his dirty laundry to home and she'd be happy to wash it and drop it back to him. WTF seriously!