Stir-Up Sunday

Stir-Up Sunday is the last Sunday before Advent and traditionally, the day to stir up the Christmas pudding so it's ready on time for Christmas Day.

We've got the guide on everything you need to know about Stir-Up Sunday, including where the tradition came from and when it is this year.

When is Stir-Up Sunday 2019?

Stir Up Sunday will be on the 24th of November in 2019, which is when our kitchens will be filled with the scent of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, dried fruit and orange peel - Christmas, in a nutshell.

What Happens On Stir-Up Sunday?

Traditionally, to mark the occasion, the family would gather in the kitchen where they would each take turns to stir the Christmas pudding while making a secret wish. This is a tradition that dates back to Victorian times. In some households, silver coins were (and still are) added into the pudding mix, as it's believed that they'll bring good luck to whoever finds them.

The tradition of Stir-Up Sunday has started to wane with the readymade Christmas puddings now available in supermarkets, but it's still an occasion to get the whole family together and really start getting into the festive spirit.

How To Make Christmas Pudding

Make our most popular Christmas pudding recipe, our fruit-laden Christmas pudding - with a prep time of only 15 minutes, it's hassle-free.

A Christmas pudding is surprisingly easy to make. You simply need to allow enough time for all the flavours and spices to come together, for the fruit to absorb the alcohol and for the pudding to mature. Don't be put off by the long steaming time either - it will quite happily sit and bubble away on its own and you only need to check the water level every now and again and top up if it's getting low.

If you're feeling excited about Christmas, find inspiration by looking at all our Christmas recipes.

You really can't compare a homemade Christmas pudding with a shop-bought one. It really is worth the time to make your own, plus Stir-up Sunday is the perfect occasion to bring the family together and engage in a tradition that dates back hundreds of years and spend some quality time together.

The Christmas countdown starts here!