Stir-Up Sunday: The Victorian Tradition that Sweetens Up Christmas

Stir-Up Sunday is a beloved British tradition that takes place on the last Sunday before the Advent season. It’s a day when families come together to mix and steam a Christmas pudding, which is an integral part of the Christmas meal. The tradition has deep roots in both religious and culinary history and continues to be observed today, even as modern conveniences have made it easier to buy ready-made puddings.

The Origin of Stir-Up Sunday

Stir-Up Sunday traces back to the Victorian era when it was observed as a religious practice in Catholic and Anglican churches. The name ‘Stir-Up Sunday’ originates from the opening words of the prayer or ‘collect’ for the day in the Book of Common Prayer. The prayer begins with “Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people…”. Over time, the day became associated with the tradition of making Christmas puddings.

The Historical Significance

The Stir-Up Sunday tradition was not always about making Christmas pudding. The original purpose was religious, intended to stir up the minds and spirits of the congregation in preparation for the Advent season. The prayer encouraged the faithful to bring forth ‘the fruit of good works’. However, the Stir-Up Sunday tradition evolved into a culinary practice in the 1700s, as people realised this was an ideal time to prepare their Christmas puddings. A well-made Christmas pudding needs about four weeks to mature and develop its flavours.

Stir-Up Sunday Today

Today, the Stir-Up Sunday tradition is more about family bonding and festive preparation. Families gather in the kitchen to mix and steam the Christmas pudding. Parents pass down the recipe to their children, and everyone gets a chance to stir the pudding mix and make a special wish for the year ahead. The pudding mix is traditionally stirred from East to West, in honour of the three wise men who visited baby Jesus.

The Traditional Christmas Pudding

The Christmas pudding is a quintessentially British dessert that embodies the spirit of Christmas. The pudding traditionally contains 13 ingredients representing Jesus and his disciples. These ingredients are typically dried fruits, eggs, breadcrumbs, and beers or spirits. The alcohol helps increase the shelf life of the pudding.

During the Stir-Up Sunday tradition, some households add silver coins to the pudding mix. It is believed that finding a coin in your serving of pudding on Christmas Day brings good luck.

The Stir-Up Sunday Recipe

A typical Stir-Up Sunday recipe involves a lot of stirring, as the ingredients in Christmas pudding are quite heavy and the mixture is often very stiff. Each member of the family takes a turn to stir the pudding mixture, starting with the youngest child and making a wish. The wish is to be kept secret, similar to the tradition of making a wish while blowing out birthday candles.

The Evolution of the Christmas Pudding Recipe

The recipe for the Christmas pudding has undergone changes over the years. In the Middle Ages, a Christmas porridge called ‘Frumenty’ was popular, which might be a savoury ancestor of the current Christmas pudding. Over time, the recipe evolved into a plum pudding, containing dried fruits, eggs, breadcrumbs, and beers or spirits to increase its shelf life.

In the 19th century, Prince Albert declared his love for the Christmas pudding, making it fashionable and cementing its place as a Christmas staple.

Modern Interpretations of Stir-Up Sunday

In recent years, lighter recipes for Christmas pudding have gained popularity, with some even including non-traditional ingredients like chocolate. However, many families continue to follow their traditional family recipes, passed down from generation to generation.

Conclusion

Stir-Up Sunday is a charming tradition that adds a touch of nostalgia and familial warmth to the Christmas season. Whether you’re continuing a family tradition or starting a new one, Stir-Up Sunday is a lovely way to kick off the festive season with a deliciously sweet reminder of the joys of togetherness.

Whether you follow a traditional recipe or experiment with a modern twist, the heart of the Stir-Up Sunday tradition lies in stirring the pudding mix, making wishes, and anticipating a delicious Christmas dessert, it’s a celebration of family, faith, and festive cheer that truly stirs up the spirit of Christmas.

References