scrubbedexpat097

No worries about crap TV for you matey

TheTokenBrit

I used to think Mince Pies were awful too but then my tastebuds changed and I'd only just gotten into them when I left the UK for good.

I must admit, I am a little out of touch with TV back in Blighty now as most of the people who were on it when I was a kid are now in jail!

WEBlue

This happened to me too. I think it was getting older and less interested in sweets that changed my taste buds. Also being sure to warm them well ahead in the oven before biting in--IMO, they do need to be warm to bring out the subtle flavours of both pastry and filling....

lizzyq

After eating turkey, gammon, stuffings, pommes dauphines, roast parsnips, sprouts with prosciutto & garlic, carrots, bread sauce, parsley sauce & cranberry sauce I held back on the Christmas pud and just served warm mince pies with cream and/or brandy butter - they went down well and second & third helpings were taken.

Today is cold turkey and/or gammon with home made chips - might as well deploy the fryer as it is out :-)

manekeniko

Is there any "war on Christmas" twaddle back in the UK? The US right-wing outrage machine asserts that "happy holidays" is an assault on Christmas and Christianity. I'm agnostic and don't get bunched up if someone wishes me a happy/merry Christmas or whatever.

I'd love to try a traditional mincemeat pie, but don't see anyone selling it here in NY. I'll have to make it myself.

Bnet36

I miss my annual trips to Bluewater for shopping and another trip to Regent street and Oxford street for the lights and wonderful shop window displays at Libertys', Selfridges, Debenhams, Hamleys, Selfridges.... Roasted Chestnuts from the the street vendors. I could go on.....

scot47

Looney rightwingers in UK come out with the stuff about local authorities trying to ban Christmas. I think some of them pick up the infection fro nutters in the US.

Nutmegger

Can't help you with Bluewater (had to Google, I gather it's a shopping mall?), but the lights and store windows in NYC are wonderful in December, and there are chestnut vendors on the streets. You might want to check it out one year -- I love the city at Christmastime.

Bnet36

I went to New York right after Christmas some years ago, should have gone right before it seems. Maybe in the near future but it would be from England as I am heading back.

scrubbedexpat099

Blue water, not missing much.

Pulaski

I went there just once, which was plenty for me. Visited Lewis's (not "John ...") which had gone bust and had a clearance sale, prior to Allder's taking the unit. They had about half a dozen suitcases in the luggage department as best I recall.