When it comes to Christmastime, there are few coins more synonymous with the festive period than the humble silver sixpence.
When it comes to Christmastime, there are few coins more synonymous with the festive period than the humble silver sixpence.
A Victorian Tradition
The silver sixpence has been synonymous with the Christmas period since the Victorian era, due in no small part to a quirky yet popular tradition believed to have been brought to Britain by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria’s husband.
On the Sunday before Advent, a day also known as ‘Stir-up Sunday’, families would gather in the kitchen to help make the annual Christmas pudding. A silver sixpence would be placed into the pudding mix and every member of the household would make a wish as they gave the mix a stir. Many believed that the person who found the sixpence in their piece of the pudding on Christmas Day would enjoy wealth and good luck in the year to come.
Although this Christmas tradition is not as commonplace in the twenty-first century, it is a wonderful custom that promotes togetherness and embraces the Christmas spirit. Why not take part in this classic British tradition by putting your very own silver sixpence into your Christmas pudding? Whether you decide to put a modern spin on this classic custom with your own family recipes and desserts, throwing a sixpence into the mix is a fun way to share a new tradition with your loved ones, and keep it alive for generations to come.
Stir-Up Sunday
This year, ‘Stir-up Sunday’ lands on Sunday, 24 November 2024, so be sure to get your ingredients ready in preparation and, above all else, don’t forget to get your sixpence in advance. Who knows, it could be you that receives good luck for the year ahead!
If you are taking part in this fun family activity, we’d love to see how you’re getting on. Be sure to share your #StirUpSunday with us on social media – you can find us on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
Stir-Up Sunday
Whilst its storied history and association with winter is no secret, the sixpence also has a strong connection to romance, making it a fantastic gift for a spouse or partner. In fact, ‘Something old, something new …’ is a tradition associated with weddings and you’ll find brides around the world tucking one into their shoe as they complete the age-old rhyme of ‘Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a sixpence in her shoe’.
Steeped in romance yet undeniably festive, the sixpence is not only a coin that can revive a wonderful Christmas custom, but it is also a beautiful gift to give to a loved one.
