Get your spoons ready for Sunday 20 November 2022 – the last Sunday before Advent and the day when families traditionally gather to stir the mixture for their Christmas pudding
Make a wish: the history of Stir-up Sunday
The day takes its name from an Anglican church prayer, which begins: "Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord..."
The words remind listeners to start stirring up their plum pudding so it has time to mature before Christmas Day.
A tradition the whole family can get involved in, the idea is that everyone should get a turn to mix, and make a wish while they do it. Some households put coins in the mix, with the finder promised wealth, health and happiness for the coming year.
Martha Collison's Stir-up Sunday
"Stir-up Sunday is a lovely tradition that gets the whole family involved. I have to be honest, I've tended to miss it in the past because I'm not a very organised person, but this year I'm determined to be prepared in time. Don't worry about trying to make sure everyone has a stir though – as long as you sit down and eat it together, that's the important thing.
"I really enjoy making Christmas puddings – soaking them in brandy is the fun bit. I probably won’t be putting a sixpence in ours, though. When I was at school, they put a 50p in the pudding, but it was in a plastic bag for safety reasons. It didn’t quite have the same magic!"
Typical Christmas pud ingredients
Dim the lights & ready the pud
FLAMBÉING
When the day comes, to flambé the pudding for serving, warm 100ml brandy in a small saucepan, making sure it doesn't boil. Pour it over, then quickly ignite, keeping the pudding at arm's length
Puddings with a twist
The Christmas pudding is as popular as ever, but it doesn't mean you have to stay traditional. Up the ante with Amaretti, tropical fruit and chocolate
Prepared for you
Look out for our stunning selection in your local Waitrose and online, including our Richly Fruited Christmas Pudding and Heston's Sherry & Balsamic Vinegar Christmas Pudding for a brilliant, boozy finish to your feast