I'm also a huge fan of the L'or coffee machine. It's about €70 or so and sometimes you get 120 free pods with it so that's great value. It takes both the regular and newer Nespresso pods, Costa pods and M&S pods so an all rounder really.
Christmas 2026
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It was about £50 or so at the time but it's probably gone up a bit by now. The other good thing about it is the maintenance is much easier than a big machine.
A bog standard descaler every so often and if you use filtered water, it helps. I use the Argos version of a Brita, because London water is immensely hard, but even if I forget, it is quite forgiving.
Here's a link to the current promotions, no aff link
, and if I were buying it now, I would probably get one with the milk frother. But Asda also do one for about £25. That's bought but it's in my box for my future flat. L'OR BARISTA® Machine Bundle Promotions
Discover our L'OR Coffee Machines offers. Brew barista quality coffee with up to 19 bar pressure, customizable sizes, and dual cup capability, compatible with L'OR and Nespresso®* capsules.
We had a Tassimo and absolutely loved it for pods but since having the kids we need a stronger hit and bought a Sage coffee machine. Haven't looked back!
We also have the Hotel Chocolat velvitiser - we use it as a milk warmer, pour it into a cup with a spoon of coffee and syrup to make Lattes when we want something less strong. Makes a lovely latte
We also have the Hotel Chocolat velvitiser - we use it as a milk warmer, pour it into a cup with a spoon of coffee and syrup to make Lattes when we want something less strong. Makes a lovely latte
I wanted to ask if anyone has ever done an alternative christmas?
We've been invited to a relatives again and I'm really not feeling it. The baby will be 6 months old, everyone bar me will be boozing and there was a lot of fall out last year because of the family divide - everyone speaks to each other except for one (its deserved) and so they weren't invited and they ended up alone (I did call in on my way home with the kids to wish them a merry Christmas and have a brew to be fair). Anyway, I just cant be doing with the inevitable trouble that will follow. The family are still going on 5 months later about it
I was thinking of doing a buffet party for me, Crapbag and our kids and we just spend the day at home in pyjamas eating rit with our phones off playing games etc. Has anyone done this? Was it tit or good? I know the kids would love to spend the day with their cousins and so I dont know what to do for best really. Advice/tips appreciated!
We've been invited to a relatives again and I'm really not feeling it. The baby will be 6 months old, everyone bar me will be boozing and there was a lot of fall out last year because of the family divide - everyone speaks to each other except for one (its deserved) and so they weren't invited and they ended up alone (I did call in on my way home with the kids to wish them a merry Christmas and have a brew to be fair). Anyway, I just cant be doing with the inevitable trouble that will follow. The family are still going on 5 months later about it
I was thinking of doing a buffet party for me, Crapbag and our kids and we just spend the day at home in pyjamas eating rit with our phones off playing games etc. Has anyone done this? Was it tit or good? I know the kids would love to spend the day with their cousins and so I dont know what to do for best really. Advice/tips appreciated!
We stay at home, just the 4 of us, on Christmas Day. We still do a dinner, but everything else is really chilled. Kids play with their presents, we play some games, and the "dress code" is usually pyjamas and/or Christmas jumpers.I wanted to ask if anyone has ever done an alternative christmas?
We've been invited to a relatives again and I'm really not feeling it. The baby will be 6 months old, everyone bar me will be boozing and there was a lot of fall out last year because of the family divide - everyone speaks to each other except for one (its deserved) and so they weren't invited and they ended up alone (I did call in on my way home with the kids to wish them a merry Christmas and have a brew to be fair). Anyway, I just cant be doing with the inevitable trouble that will follow. The family are still going on 5 months later about it
I was thinking of doing a buffet party for me, Crapbag and our kids and we just spend the day at home in pyjamas eating rit with our phones off playing games etc. Has anyone done this? Was it tit or good? I know the kids would love to spend the day with their cousins and so I dont know what to do for best really. Advice/tips appreciated!
I just don't want to spend the day on someone else's timetable. Rushing around, pulling the kids away from their new stuff, dressing up nice, and eating food cooked someone else's way (sprouts boiled to mush anyone?)
We then see my parents on Boxing Day and do things their way. We don't speak to my in-laws, so they're not an issue.
Only you can decide if you want to see family or not. I would say go with your gut and do what you want not what's expected or what other people want. Theres always boxing day to catch up with family. We did a buffet rather than a trad Xmas dinner last year and really enjoyed it so much less stressI wanted to ask if anyone has ever done an alternative christmas?
We've been invited to a relatives again and I'm really not feeling it. The baby will be 6 months old, everyone bar me will be boozing and there was a lot of fall out last year because of the family divide - everyone speaks to each other except for one (its deserved) and so they weren't invited and they ended up alone (I did call in on my way home with the kids to wish them a merry Christmas and have a brew to be fair). Anyway, I just cant be doing with the inevitable trouble that will follow. The family are still going on 5 months later about it
I was thinking of doing a buffet party for me, Crapbag and our kids and we just spend the day at home in pyjamas eating rit with our phones off playing games etc. Has anyone done this? Was it tit or good? I know the kids would love to spend the day with their cousins and so I dont know what to do for best really. Advice/tips appreciated!
Do you want a machine that makes good coffee, or a good machine that makes coffee? 🫠🫠
Good coffee
This sounds amazingI wanted to ask if anyone has ever done an alternative christmas?
We've been invited to a relatives again and I'm really not feeling it. The baby will be 6 months old, everyone bar me will be boozing and there was a lot of fall out last year because of the family divide - everyone speaks to each other except for one (its deserved) and so they weren't invited and they ended up alone (I did call in on my way home with the kids to wish them a merry Christmas and have a brew to be fair). Anyway, I just cant be doing with the inevitable trouble that will follow. The family are still going on 5 months later about it
I was thinking of doing a buffet party for me, Crapbag and our kids and we just spend the day at home in pyjamas eating rit with our phones off playing games etc. Has anyone done this? Was it tit or good? I know the kids would love to spend the day with their cousins and so I dont know what to do for best really. Advice/tips appreciated!
I think if you want good coffee then invest in a non pod system. We are coffee snobs but like different types of coffee. DH uses a sage coffee machine with separate bean grinder but the coffee isn’t hot enough for me. So he makes my morning coffee in a cafetière using fresh ground beans. If we want a lot of coffee (people round, filling flasks etc) we use a filter coffee machine.
We buy really good coffee beans.
X
As soon as I was pregnant with eldest penguin we decided to stay home for Christmas. For me Christmas is mostly centred around the kids and it’s easier and more relaxed being at home. We’re open house and absolutely delighted if anyone wants to pop in for a bit but we don’t go anywhere! There are tons of days you can see family and break up that monotony between Christmas and new yearI wanted to ask if anyone has ever done an alternative christmas?
We've been invited to a relatives again and I'm really not feeling it. The baby will be 6 months old, everyone bar me will be boozing and there was a lot of fall out last year because of the family divide - everyone speaks to each other except for one (its deserved) and so they weren't invited and they ended up alone (I did call in on my way home with the kids to wish them a merry Christmas and have a brew to be fair). Anyway, I just cant be doing with the inevitable trouble that will follow. The family are still going on 5 months later about it
I was thinking of doing a buffet party for me, Crapbag and our kids and we just spend the day at home in pyjamas eating rit with our phones off playing games etc. Has anyone done this? Was it tit or good? I know the kids would love to spend the day with their cousins and so I dont know what to do for best really. Advice/tips appreciated!
Well, I've text the sister and thanked her for the kind invitation but we will be staying home! I've told the whole family they're welcome to pop in if they wish, hasn't gone down well as we live in the middle of nowhere, at least an hour and 20 minutes drive for them and they cant drink 
thanks all for your help. Now that I've made the decision I feel so much better for it and a bit excited!
thanks all for your help. Now that I've made the decision I feel so much better for it and a bit excited!To the angels who posted on one of the threads last year about freezing mince pies, I’ve had the best couple of days of snacking and it’s all because of you 🩷 
I’m dreaming of Christmas cake - mixing it, baking it, feeding it, covering it with marzipan, icing it, decorating it and then EATING it!
sigh!
sigh!
Got home, turned on the telly and this was on 
And yes, I’m now watching it.
And yes, I’m now watching it.I’ve just booked a day off work in early November so I can go Christmas shopping 
I do this with my mum and sister every year, we go shopping on a random weekday so it’s less busy, have lunch and a wine and get festive!
I do this with my mum and sister every year, we go shopping on a random weekday so it’s less busy, have lunch and a wine and get festive!
Sounds good! I tend to use most of my leave during December, I just love being off work over Xmas.I’ve just booked a day off work in early November so I can go Christmas shopping
Being off from 22nd to 5th Jan is amazing, just feels so Christmassy. Save some annual leave, save up flexi leave and the public holidays
For the first time in years I have boxing day off workI’ve just booked a day off work in early November so I can go Christmas shopping
I don't mind working a couple of days in-between xmas and new year as it's always chilled and I enjoy new year more without the prospect of having to go back after 2 weeks off