Stir it up Sunday... 🎄

Did you know today is ‘Stir It Up Sunday’ have you heard of it?

What it is?

It goes all the way back to Victorian Times. The term comes from a prayer said in the Church, which begins

“Stir-up, we beseech thee, O Lord,” It reminds people to start stirring and making up their Christmas pudding. This means the puddings flavours can intensify and mature before Christmas Day. The day chosen is the Sunday before Advent starts. So this is the Sunday 5 weeks before Christmas, normally falling between the 20-26^th November, so this Sunday is the earliest it can be. It is a time for the family to gather, each one giving the pudding a stir and making a wish for the year ahead. I remember my mum making the pudding for Christmas and there always used to be a coin in it. It is said putting in a coin brings wealth and happiness to the person that receives it. Do you know I cannot remember if I ever got it! Although today I may not advise putting a coin in, chipped or broken teeth isn’t what you need on Christmas Day.

So I had a look at other traditions that go with it:

·      You should stir from East to West, to remember the Wise Men who visited Jesus.

·      Traditionally there should be 13 ingredients, represents Jesus and the 12 Disciples.

·      Puddings are decorated with holly, to represent the Crown of Thorns Jesus wore before he died, but holly berries are toxic, so maybe artificial Holly!

·      The coin started off as lucky charms, wedding rings were added which meant you would be married the following year, but if a thimble was found by a single woman or a button by a single man, it would mean you would be a bachelor for the year.

I know we all seem to be short of time, but maybe if you have time this year, maybe make a Christmas pudding on Stir it Up Sunday, getting the family involved, but maybe no coins!

Here is my recipe, half it for a 1lb pudding...

Add apple if you like or leave out. No date syrup or treacle use dark brown sugar