Traditional English Christmas Pudding History
English Christmas Pudding is traditionally made on what's called "Stir-up Sunday", the last Sunday before Advent. The puddings are allowed to mature until Christmas Day, making them extremely tasty but not heavy, in nature. .
It was a rather traditional practice to include a silver coin or two the pudding mixture. this coin, usually a sixpence, was believed to bring wealth in the coming year. This Christmas tradition is immortalized in Charles Dickens' - "A Christmas Carol.".
Now, its probably a bit to late to order a pre-made traditional Christmas Pudding in time to surprise (and please) your guests or family with this traditional Yultide delicacy. However, a few links, below, might be of assistance for 2009. Surprisingly, one actually offers a sixpence! I have also included a RECIPE that you can prepare in your own kitchen for Christmas Pudding. CLICK HERE!
As far as the sixpence goes, you know, it would even make an ideal Christmas gift for anyone with an interest in British coins or for those who gaze, with fondness, upon such nostalgic items.
Great Britain: George VI 1937 Sixpence, KM-852
The sixpence was known as the tanner or half-shilling. It was a pre-decimal coin worth six pence, or 1/40th of a British Pound Sterling.
In England, the first sixpences were struck in the reign of Edward VI in 1551. This continued until they were deemed obsolete in 1971. Reportedly, the last issued sixpence was in 1967, however, a special "farewell" proof version was struck in a set for 1970.
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