Stir-up Sunday Christmas pudding planner & timeline
A countdown planner for making, feeding and steaming your Christmas pudding on time
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- Print at home, or use it on your phone or tablet
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Why it helps
A printable Stir-up Sunday planner built around the real 2026 date (22 November) and Christmas Day (25 December), with a full timeline, shopping list, equipment checklist, stirring-day method, feeding schedule and Christmas Day steaming instructions. Everything a UK home baker needs to make, feed and serve a proper Christmas pudding on time, with no guesswork.
What's inside
- A full countdown timeline from Stir-up Sunday (22 Nov 2026) to Christmas Day, with exact dates already worked out
- A complete ingredient shopping list with quantities for a traditional 1.2 litre pudding
- An equipment checklist so nothing's missing on the day itself
- Step-by-step stirring-day instructions, including the first long steam
- A week-by-week feeding schedule for maturing the pudding properly
- Christmas Day instructions for re-steaming, turning out and serving
- Troubleshooting advice and substitutions for vegetarian, alcohol-free and gluten-free versions
- Prompts to record your own family's Stir-up Sunday traditions each year
Take a look inside
Questions
Do I have to make my pudding on 22 November exactly?
No – that's the traditional date, but any Sunday in the week either side works just as well. The important thing is giving the pudding enough time to mature before Christmas Day, ideally three to four weeks.
Can I make the pudding without alcohol?
Yes. Replace the brandy in the mixture and the feeding liquid with apple juice, orange juice or strong black tea in the same quantities.
What if I don't have a steamer?
A large saucepan with a tight lid works fine. Put a trivet, upturned heatproof saucer, or even a few jam jar lids in the base to keep the basin off direct heat, then add boiling water to come halfway up the basin.
Can I use a slow cooker instead of steaming on the hob?
Many people do. Sit the basin on a trivet in the slow cooker, add boiling water halfway up the basin, and cook on high for roughly the same total hours as hob steaming, checking the water level occasionally.
How long does a fed Christmas pudding actually keep?
Wrapped properly and stored in a cool, dark, dry cupboard, a well-fed pudding keeps for weeks after Christmas, and some traditional recipes are designed to keep for up to a year – though most families eat theirs well before then.
What size pudding basin do I need?
A 1.2 litre basin serves roughly 8–10 people with modest slices, since Christmas pudding is rich. For a smaller gathering, two 600ml basins give you one to eat and one to give as a gift.
Is it safe for children to help with the stirring?
Yes, stirring and wishing is traditionally a job for the whole family, including children. Just supervise near the hob during the steaming stages, and if you add a coin, warn everyone clearly before serving.