Speaking of cakes, and traditions, and Scotland, (UK) here is Santa -- or Father Christmas as he is sometimes called -- with a traditional Christmas 'pudding', though it's really a cake. This cake has been a strong Christmas tradition at least since Victorian times in Scotland and England. The Christmas Pudding is made of fruits, spices, eggs, and some rum or stout beer. It is traditionally rounded in shape and decorated with a sprig of Holly. The cake is usually prepared about a month in advance of Christmas by boiling the mixture in a cotton cloth for a few hours. Then it is left to sit so the flavors are well blended. When it's time to serve, the Christmas Pudding is doused with rum and set on fire! A specifically Scottish version of a boiled fruit cake or pudding is called a Clootie Dumpling and it is very similar, but is usually served with cream or custard.
This link is for a Scottish Clootie Dumpling recipe.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/clootie-dumpling/
This link is to a recipe for Christmas pudding on the BBC website.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/christmas_pudding_41498
Or, since time is getting short, here is a 'classic' Christmas cake recipe with fruits and spices that does not need to be made weeks in advance. If you give it a try, why not add some charms!! Maybe even devise your own Christmas meaning for them?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/christmascake_2359
Nollaig Chridheil!!-Scots Gaelic for Merry Christmas!!
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