I partake in this centuries-old Christmas tradition every year - and it’s well worth it

The ancient tradition of making a Christmas pudding with hidden coins has fallen by the wayside in modern times, but this year may change that

We’re here again, mid-November and the shops and TV adverts have all turned suitably festive.

It feels too soon, but this weekend marks Stir-up Sunday, the time when traditionally you’d make your Christmas pudding. While the humble Christmas pudding has roots in medieval times, it was Prince Albert who made it fashionable again in the 19th century. And to this day many families and keen cooks make their own pud every November.

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Making your Christmas pudding or cake on Stir-up Sunday gives it time to mature - usually by being 'fed' brandy - in the run up to the big day and it gets its name from the general prayer read in churches, which includes a line: “Stir up, we beseech thee O Lord, the wills of they faithful people.”

I’ve been making my Christmas cake on Stir-up Sunday for years, probably about 15, as part of getting into the spirit of the season. I had a good run of making Christmas dinner too, but always had too much else to make, so we always bought in a Christmas pudding.

Now, after a wonderful cooking class at Ballintaggart on Stir-up Sunday in 2022 - and since I am no longer cooking the main meal, thanks to my brother-in-law taking the reins - I have the time and recipe for a foolproof pudding.

But, I am in the minority. New survey data reveals 59 per cent of UK adults who celebrate Christmas do not think having a Christmas pudding at their festive table is important, and only 4 per cent of Christmas celebrators in the UK continue the tradition of Stir-up Sunday, with Elf on the Shelf being more popular.

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Coinciding with the low popularity of the festive pudding, over three quarters of the UK adults (77 per cent) have not heard of Stir-up Sunday, the last Sunday before advent where families and friends get together to prepare their pudding.

To encourage the revival of Stir-up Sunday, The Royal Mint has launched its silver sixpence with a new sustainable twist. Made from recovered X-ray silver, a limited run of 100 pieces will be available for this Christmas, with all sixpence stock using this reclaimed precious metal from 2025.

The new sixpence is available now for Stir-up SundayThe new sixpence is available now for Stir-up Sunday
The new sixpence is available now for Stir-up Sunday | Royal Mint

​The sixpence went out of circulation more than 50 years ago and despite no longer being in our change, it continues to be an important part of centuries-old traditions.

Stir-up Sunday dates to Victorian times, where family members would take it in turns to stir the pudding and make a wish. Whoever found the sixpence in their own piece of the pudding on Christmas Day would see it as a sign they would enjoy wealth and good luck in the year to come.

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I have never added the charms - and coins - associated with the very traditional Christmas pudding to mine, but this year I’ll treat myself to a sixpence, and hope that whomever finds it makes a good wish - and keeps all their teeth.

Members of the public looking to continue or start their own Stir up Sunday tradition can purchase their own Silver Sixpence from The Royal Mint’s website.

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