With Christmas just around the corner, it's time to start thinking about those all-important festive preparations. And for anyone who loves a traditional Christmas pudding, there's one date worth marking in the calendar.
Stir-up Sunday falls on 22 November 2026, bringing families together to mix their Christmas puddings and make a wish, ready for the big day.
Stir-up Sunday is a tradition that has been carried out for centuries and was particularly popular with the Victorians. It falls on the Sunday before Advent, which in 2026 is Sunday 22 November.
The name actually comes from the opening words of a prayer in the Book of Common Prayer, traditionally read on the Sunday before Advent. Over time, the occasion became associated with families gathering to prepare their Christmas puddings.
The idea of Stir-up Sunday was that after attending church, families would gather together in the kitchen and prepare the Christmas pudding. Each family member would take a turn at stirring the pudding mixture from east to west, following the traditional direction associated with the journey of the Wise Men. The mix was said to include thirteen ingredients representing Jesus and his twelve disciples.
Once thoroughly mixed, the pudding would be steamed and traditionally wrapped in cloth, sometimes being hung in a cool place until Christmas Day. When the big day arrived, the pudding would be reheated and served after the traditional Christmas dinner
Many families have continued the tradition of placing coins in or under the pudding on Christmas Day. Traditionally, this would have been a sixpence, although some modern families have used a 20p piece. The person who discovers the coin is said to enjoy good luck. If you're keeping this tradition alive, it's safest to place the coin beneath a plate rather than inside the pudding, where it could present a choking hazard.
Decorating the pudding with a sprig of holly is said to represent the crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ. Whilst this looks very festive, remember that real holly berries are poisonous and should be kept away from food. An artificial decoration is a safer alternative.
Flaming the pudding with brandy puts on a magnificent display and has traditionally been said to represent the love and power of Jesus. If you're planning to flame your Christmas pudding, always take care around naked flames and never pour alcohol directly from the bottle onto a flame.
A classic Christmas pudding is lightly spiced and packed full of dried fruit, often soaked in brandy or other spirits. This creates a rich, fruity mixture that can be combined with the dry ingredients before being steamed.
Whilst you need a fair few ingredients, the method for making a traditional Christmas pudding is generally very simple. Preparing it ahead of time allows the flavours to develop before Christmas Day. Once cooked, follow your chosen recipe's storage instructions until it's time to reheat and serve with custard, cream or brandy butter.
If you fancy making your own this year, take a look at our Traditional Christmas Pudding Recipe, complete with ingredients, step-by-step instructions and advice on pudding basin sizes.
Making your Christmas pudding ahead of time gives the flavours a chance to develop before the big day. If you're planning to make yours on Stir-up Sunday, check your recipe beforehand, as some need to be started the day before steaming.
You'll need a good-sized mixing bowl, a sturdy wooden spoon and a pudding basin suitable for your chosen cooking method. Baking parchment, foil and kitchen string are also useful for covering and securing the pudding while it steams.
Once cooked, allow your pudding to cool and follow your recipe's storage instructions until Christmas Day. When you're ready to serve, reheat it thoroughly as directed and enjoy with your favourite accompaniment.
We know fruit puddings aren't for everyone, especially the younger members of the family, and if you look around you'll find some fantastic alternative options out there.
How about a fun Maltesers-covered pudding? Bake a regular sponge in an ovenproof pudding bowl and decorate it with buttercream, cover it in Maltesers and then drizzle over some melted white chocolate to look like custard.
Planning to make your own Christmas pudding this Stir-up Sunday? Having the right equipment makes preparation that little bit easier.
From a traditional KitchenCraft Stoneware Pudding Basin to a practical KitchenCraft Plastic Pudding Basin with Lid, there are plenty of options to suit your recipe. And don't forget a wooden spoon so everyone can join in the stirring!
For more festive kitchen essentials, explore our Christmas Cooking range for equipment to help with your Christmas baking, festive desserts and Christmas dinner preparations.
Whether you're keeping up a family tradition or making your very first Christmas pudding, Stir-up Sunday is a lovely way to bring everyone together and start the festive season.
Sources:
https://www.dexam.co.uk/blog/stir-up-sunday/
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/stir-sunday
