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Stir-Up Sunday

Stir-Up Sunday

23 November 2014

Stir-up-Sunday-246x300Christmas always seems to sneak up behind you when you’re not looking and we’re all acutely aware of our huge to-do lists and how little time we seem to have left before the big day so take some time out for Stir-Up Sunday and keep this wonderful tradition going!

Christmastime is meant for cosy nights in, comforting food bubbling in the kitchen and making the effort to catch up with friends and family. That’s why I love Stir-up Sunday as an excuse to relax for an afternoon and bake. Once the Christmas Pud is steaming away and your house smells festive I can guarantee everything will seem a little less hurried.

 

I will always remember as a child, the dinner lady bringing round a huge Mason Cash ceramic mixing bowl and a giant wooden spoon allowing each and every one of us to have a stir of the Christmas Pudding whilst making a wish.

Therefore, when Miss Stinton from Linton Infants School asked me if I could spend some time with the Reception Classes for their “Through the Keyhole project” which aims to introduce the children to businesses and events that are taking place in their little community, I felt it only right that I recreate for them this lovely tradition I was part of at their age.

So, albeit a couple of days late, this Tuesday I will be getting the children involved in making their own Christmas Puddings for Stir-Up Sunday. With a huge wooden spoon and Mason Cash mixing bowl, we shall learn about more about this festive tradition, mix up a lovely pudding, all have a stir and make a wish.

In a nutshell Stir-Up Sunday falls on the last Sunday before advent – the term comes from the opening words of the collect for the day in the Book of Common Prayer of 1549:

Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

People used to leave church and gather round to make the Christmas Puddings, stir in coins and trinkets and make a wish. The belief being that the lucky one to find the coin in the pudding will be prosperous in the new year. Keeping up this tradition is an easy one – and you will be hugely rewarded on Christmas day knowing that you made the pudding you serve!

Let’s hope the Linton Infants feel the same – watch this space for the results…

P.S. I am using a fail safe Mary Berry recipe – but if you have any hints or tips, or your own secret Christmas Pudding recipes feel free to share them with us on TLK’s Facebook Page.