Stir-up Sunday 2026: A Delicious Christmas Tradition Worth Keeping
Stir-up Sunday 2026 – Discover the history of Stir-up Sunday, the joy of festive baking and how beautiful dried fruits, crunchy nuts and traditional glacé fruits can make Christmas extra special.
There’s a wonderful moment in November when Christmas begins to feel truly close.
It’s not necessarily when the decorations go up or the first Christmas cards arrive. Sometimes, it’s something much simpler: the fragrance of warming spices, a generous bowl of dried fruit and the sound of a wooden spoon stirring a rich Christmas pudding mixture.
For generations, families across Britain have celebrated Stir-up Sunday, a much-loved tradition that marks the beginning of their Christmas preparations.
This year, Stir-up Sunday falls on Sunday 22 November 2026, giving us the perfect opportunity to rediscover the pleasure of making something delicious together.
At Walnut Tree – The Finest Edible Gifts, we have a particular affection for traditions that bring people together through exceptional food. And few are quite as charming as Stir-up Sunday.
Stir-up Sunday 2026 – What Is Stir-up Sunday?
Stir-up Sunday is traditionally celebrated on the last Sunday before Advent, approximately five weeks before Christmas Day.
It’s the day when families gather in the kitchen to prepare their Christmas puddings, allowing time for the rich fruit, spices and other ingredients to develop their flavours before the festive feast.
But the tradition has an interesting history.
The name comes from a prayer in the Book of Common Prayer, which begins with the words “Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord”.
Over time, the words became associated with stirring Christmas pudding, and what began as a religious observance developed into a much-loved family custom.
Today, Stir-up Sunday is as much about togetherness as it is about baking.
It’s a chance to slow down, gather around the kitchen table and enjoy one of those wonderfully comforting rituals that make Christmas feel special.
The Magic of the Christmas Pudding Wish
One of the most delightful Stir-up Sunday traditions is that everyone in the family takes a turn stirring the pudding mixture.
According to custom, each person stirs from east to west, traditionally associated with the journey of the Three Wise Men.
As they stir, they make a silent wish for the year ahead.
Children especially love this part, although there’s something rather lovely about adults joining in too.
Some families continue to use recipes handed down through generations, while others prefer to create their own version with favourite dried fruits, nuts and festive spices.
There are no strict rules about how to celebrate.
What matters most is the shared experience: a little time together, a little laughter and the anticipation of Christmas to come.
And, of course, the promise of something delicious at the end.
The Secret to a Wonderful Christmas Pudding? Beautiful Ingredients
A truly memorable Christmas pudding begins long before it reaches the table.
The quality of its ingredients makes all the difference.
Traditional recipes commonly feature raisins, currants and sultanas, together with citrus peel, warming spices and sometimes nuts.
But there’s plenty of room to introduce different flavours and textures.
At Walnut Tree, we love how carefully selected dried fruits and natural nuts can bring something a little different to familiar festive recipes.
Dried Apricots: Golden, Soft and Delicious
Beautifully soft dried apricots are a wonderful addition to Christmas baking.
Their golden colour, gentle tanginess and natural fruity sweetness complement rich festive flavours.
Try chopping them into small pieces and adding them to your usual Christmas pudding or fruitcake recipe.
Our Dried Apricots – 1kg Bag is ideal for anyone planning a generous batch of festive baking.
Dried Cranberries: A Little Festive Sparkle
Few fruits look quite as Christmassy as cranberries.
Their deep red colour and distinctive sweet-sharp flavour make them a lovely addition to puddings, Christmas cakes, homemade mincemeat and festive biscuits.
They also offer a delightful contrast to richer ingredients.
Discover our Dried Cranberries – 1kg Bag, perfect for stocking the festive baking cupboard.
Dried Orange: A Beautiful Citrus Twist
Orange has long been associated with the flavours and fragrances of Christmas.
Its bright, zesty character works beautifully alongside cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and rich dried fruits.
For a different take on your traditional recipe, finely chop a little dried orange to introduce a distinctive citrus note, or use slices as a decorative finishing touch.
Our Great Taste Award-Winning Dried Orange Slices – 1kg Bag are particularly lovely for festive baking, entertaining and Christmas grazing boards.
Natural Nuts: Texture, Richness and Crunch
Nuts are another wonderful addition to festive baking.
Chopped almonds can bring a gentle crunch to Christmas puddings and cakes, while hazelnuts offer a rich, distinctive flavour.
They also work beautifully in festive biscuits and homemade confectionery.
For those who love baking in larger quantities, explore our Whole Almonds – 1kg Bag.
Our tip: When adapting a family recipe, begin with small additions of your favourite dried fruits or chopped nuts rather than replacing the entire traditional fruit mixture. That way, you can introduce something new while preserving the familiar flavour and texture everyone loves.
Stock Up for Christmas with Walnut Tree’s Bulk Dried Fruits and Nuts
There’s something satisfying about having all your Christmas baking ingredients ready before the festive rush begins.
Whether you’re making one treasured family pudding, several Christmas cakes or enough homemade mincemeat to keep everyone supplied with mince pies, buying larger quantities can make preparation much easier.
At Walnut Tree, our bulk dried fruits and nuts are selected for their quality, flavour and versatility.
From succulent apricots and tangy cranberries to natural almonds, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts, our collection offers wonderful ingredients for baking, cooking, snacking and sharing.
And because Christmas baking rarely stops at just one recipe, having a little extra in the cupboard is seldom a bad idea!
Explore Walnut Tree’s Bulk Bags of Dried Fruits and Nuts
Stir-up Sunday 2026 – How to Make Stir-up Sunday a Family Tradition
You don’t need to be an experienced baker to enjoy Stir-up Sunday.
In fact, some of the happiest memories are often made when things don’t go entirely to plan!
Here are a few simple ideas for making the occasion special.
1. Gather Your Ingredients
Choose your favourite Christmas pudding recipe and lay out the ingredients before you begin.
Dried fruit, nuts, citrus zest, sugar and spices all contribute to that unmistakable Christmas aroma.
2. Soak Your Dried Fruit
Many traditional recipes begin by soaking dried fruit in brandy, rum or another liquid to help soften it and develop flavour.
For an alcohol-free alternative, orange juice can be a lovely choice.
Follow your chosen recipe’s instructions for soaking times and quantities.
3. Let Everyone Have a Stir
Gather around the mixing bowl and take turns stirring the pudding mixture.
Encourage everyone to make a secret Christmas wish.
It’s a charming way to involve children and create a tradition they’ll remember.
4. Enjoy the Wonderful Christmas Aromas
As the ingredients come together, enjoy the fragrances of citrus, fruit and festive spices.
For many families, these are the aromas that signal the beginning of Christmas.
5. Prepare Your Pudding for Christmas Day
Follow your recipe’s steaming, cooling and storage instructions carefully.
Traditional Christmas puddings are often made several weeks ahead, allowing their flavours to develop before Christmas Day.
Then all that’s left is to look forward to sharing the finished pudding with the people you love.
Glacé Fruits: The Jewel-Like Finishing Touch to Christmas Baking
While dried fruits are at the heart of many traditional Christmas recipes, glacé fruits bring a different kind of festive magic.
Beautifully glossy, richly coloured and wonderfully indulgent, these traditional preserved fruits have an unmistakable sense of occasion.
At Walnut Tree, our Great Taste Award-winning glacé fruits are produced using time-honoured techniques.
The fruit is slowly preserved through a careful process of simmering, resting and drying that can take up to eight months.
It’s a remarkable example of patience and craftsmanship, creating jewel-bright fruits with concentrated sweetness and a beautifully tender texture.
And Christmas is the perfect time to enjoy them.
Beautiful Ways to Use Glacé Fruits at Christmas
A few carefully chosen pieces can transform the appearance of your festive desserts.
Try arranging slices of glacé fruit on a rich Christmas cake, adding small pieces to homemade festive biscuits or serving an elegant selection alongside coffee after Christmas dinner.
You could also use a little finely chopped glacé fruit in a suitable cake recipe, remembering that its concentrated sweetness may require you to adjust the other ingredients.
For a particularly striking Christmas table, arrange whole glacé fruits on a beautiful serving dish as part of your festive confectionery selection.
Their rich colours and glossy finish make them a wonderful alternative to more familiar Christmas sweets.
Explore our Great Taste Award-Winning Glacé Fruits Gift Box – 700g, a generous selection of traditionally candied fruits, beautifully hand-packed in Britain.
Or discover our Large Glacé Fruit Gift Box – 350g, ideal for a smaller festive gathering or thoughtful Christmas present.
Because sometimes, the finishing touches are what make a dessert truly unforgettable.
Stir-up Sunday 2026 – Isn’t Just for Christmas Pudding
Although Christmas pudding is at the heart of the tradition, there’s no reason to stop there.
Why not make Stir-up Sunday the beginning of all your festive baking?
A rich Christmas cake, filled with dried fruits and warming spices, is another lovely make-ahead project.
Homemade mincemeat is perfect for preparing those all-important mince pies, while festive biscuits and fruit-and-nut bakes can make thoughtful homemade gifts.
You could even prepare a selection of little edible treats to share with neighbours, friends and family.
And for anyone who doesn’t enjoy baking, there’s always the pleasure of arranging a beautiful platter of dried fruits, nuts and glacé fruits to accompany a cup of tea.
After all, the spirit of Stir-up Sunday is about sharing food and creating memories, not following a particular recipe.
A Thoughtful Christmas Gift for Someone Who Loves Baking
There’s something especially thoughtful about giving a gift that reflects someone’s interests.
For the enthusiastic baker, a carefully chosen selection of premium dried fruits and nuts makes a wonderfully practical present.
For someone who appreciates traditional confectionery, beautifully presented glacé fruits offer a little luxury.
And for the host who seems to have everything, an elegant edible gift can be a delightful way to say thank you.
At Walnut Tree, we believe that a gift should offer more than a beautiful first impression.
It should be something to savour, enjoy and remember.
Why Walnut Tree?
At Walnut Tree – The Finest Edible Gifts, we believe exceptional food deserves beautiful presentation.
Founded in 1997 by Bev and Nick Crowne, Walnut Tree is an independent, family-run British business built on a passion for sourcing distinctive, delicious edible treats.
From premium dried fruits and natural nuts to traditional glacé fruits, marzipan, nougat and award-winning confectionery, we carefully select products for their quality, flavour and character.
Our beautiful gift boxes are hand-packed with care at our premises in Hertfordshire, reflecting the attention to detail and personal service that have always been central to our business.
We are proud that products across our collections have received prestigious Great Taste Awards, recognising the exceptional flavours and traditional craftsmanship we value so highly.
Whether you’re preparing a cherished family recipe, stocking up for festive baking or choosing a thoughtful Christmas present, our aim remains the same:
Exceptional food. Beautifully presented. A pleasure to give and a delight to receive.
Giving Back: Our Support for Future Dreams
At Walnut Tree, we believe that giving should extend beyond the gifts we wrap.
We are proud to support Future Dreams Breast Cancer Charity, an organisation dedicated to helping people affected by breast cancer through practical, physical and emotional support.
Through our contribution of dried fruit to care packages, we have been pleased to support the charity’s work and offer a small gesture of kindness to people facing difficult times.
For us, giving is about much more than the contents of a gift box.
It’s about thoughtfulness, connection and showing someone that they matter.
These are values that feel especially meaningful at Christmas.
Stir Up Something Special This Christmas
Whether you’re continuing a treasured family tradition or celebrating Stir-up Sunday for the very first time, we hope this wonderful British custom inspires you to enjoy a little festive baking.
Gather your favourite ingredients, find your largest mixing bowl and invite everyone to make a wish.
And remember, the most wonderful Christmas traditions are often the simplest.
Discover the ingredients and treats to make your festive season delicious:
Discover Award-Winning Glacé Fruits
Explore Walnut Tree – The Finest Edible Gifts
Beautiful food. Thoughtful gifting. Hand-packed in Britain since 1997.
Please note: Product images are for illustrative purposes. Due to seasonal availability, products and contents may vary. Please check current product packaging for ingredients, allergens and storage information.