19 Nov 2020

Causing a Stir: the origins of Stir-up Sunday

Stir-up Sunday is a date in late November when the Christmas pudding mixture would traditionally be combined and stirred to give it time to mellow and mature before Christmas. The phrase originates from the collect in the Book of Common prayer that was read on the last Sunday before Advent. it is said that church-goers heard the words ‘Stir up, we beseech thee’ and were inspired to start on their Christmas puddings.

Everyone in the family would take a turn to stir the Christmas pudding mixture, with the youngest child going first, always stirring from east to west in honour of the magi. Charms were also included in the mixture, the most popular being a silver coin that would signify a year of wealth for the lucky recipient.

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