No British Christmas is complete without a traditional Christmas Cake. It can be made weeks in advance and will keep until you are ready to decorate. Our traditional Christmas cake recipe is easy to make and more importantly tasty!

For a quicker alternative to fruit cake, why not try our Christmas Cupcakes Recipe?

Ingredients:

This traditional Christmas cake recipe will serve 16 and takes about 3 ½ hours including cooking time.

• 225g / 8 oz of butter or margarine softened at room temperature
• 225g / 8 oz of dark muscovado sugar
• 225g / 8 oz of plain flour
• 4 eggs beaten
• 50g / 2 oz of ground almonds
• 100ml / 3 ½ fl oz of Sherry, Brandy or orange juice for an alcohol free version
• 85g / 3 oz of candied peel – chopped
• 85g / 3oz of glacé cherries – chopped
• 250g / 9oz of currants
• 250g / 9oz raisins
• 100g / 14oz of chopped pecan nuts (replace with an additional 100g of fruit) for a nut-free version
• Finely grated zest of one lemon
• 1 ½ teaspoons of mixed spice
• 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder

Note: If you have time and like your Christmas cake moist, you can soak the dried fruit the night before in brandy or orange juice and make the recipe the next day.

For the icing you will need:

• One pack of marzipan – we used ready rolled
• 3 tablespoons of apricot jam
• Fondant or royal icing – you can mix your own icing sugar or any ready to roll icing

Preparation

• Preheat the oven to 160C / Gas 3 / Fan oven 140C. Fully line a deep 20cm round cake tin
• Cream the butter and sugar, stir in one spoon full of flour and the beaten eggs. Progressively add the rest of the flour and the baking powder until well mixed. Stir in the ground almonds
• Mix in the Sherry, Brandy or orange juice. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well
• Spoon the mixture into the cake tin, smooth to top of the tin and bake in the oven. After 30 minutes, lower the temperature to 150C/ Gas 2/ Fan oven 130C and bake for an extra 2 to 2 ½ hours, until a skewer inserted comes out clean
• Once cold remove the cake from the tin and discard the greaseproof paper. Wrap well in cling film and foil and store in an airtight container

Decorating your cake

• Warm the apricot jam and remove any fruit piece – brush over the top and sides of the cake
• Roll out the marzipan and cover the cake
• Prepare the icing according the the instructions on the package and ice the cake
• Decorate to taste!

Did you know?

Traditionally coins were added to Christmas cakes and puddings. The coin, sometimes wrapped in a small piece of greaseproof paper, was to bring luck to the person who found it while eating the cake.

In Japan Christmas cakes are simple sponge cakes, frosted with white fresh whipped cream and decorated with strawberries and maybe the occasional chocolate. It is traditionally eaten on Christmas eve.

More festive recipes

For more seasonal recipes, why not make our simple marzipan mince pies recipe or tasty chocolate truffles recipe?

Christmas gifts

If you’re looking for a unique Christmas gift for a loved one, why not check out our cheerful Christmas balloons, cuddly Christmas teddy bears and tasty chocolates?

This tasty Christmas cupcakes recipe is packed with fruit and nuts and flavoured with brandy or orange juice. The little fruit cakes are moist and full of flavour. A quick-bake alternative to traditional Christmas cake, they will make tasty gifts. If you have kids, they will enjoy decorating them too!

For more easy to make recipes ideas that will have everyone – including Rudolph the Reindeer asking for more, you could try our simple marzipan mince pies recipe or our best chocolate cupcakes recipe.

The recipe will make approximately 18 muffin tin sized cupcakes. For a more festive look you can use Christmas themed cupcake cases and decorations.

You will need:

For the Christmas cupcakes

• 200g of dark muscovado sugar
• 175g of butter chopped in small pieces
• 700g of ready mixed dried fruits (or mix your own with raisins, currents, mixed peel and other fruit)
• 50g of glacé cherries
• Zest of 1 orange
• 125ml of brandy or orange juice
• 85g/3oz pecan nuts, roughly chopped
• 3 large eggs – beaten
• 85g of ground almonds
• 200g of plain flour
• ½ tsp of backing powder
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1/2 tsp of ginger
• 1 tsp of cinnamon

For the topping

• 400g of marzipan – you can use the ready rolled variety if you like
• 4 tbsp warm apricot jam – heated
• 500g pack fondant icing sugar

Preparation

For the cupcakes

1. Pre-heat the oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2, and line two muffin trays with paper cases
2. Put the sugar, butter, dried fruit, whole cherries, ginger and orange zest into a large saucepan. Pour over the brandy or orange juice, and simmer on the hob for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside for 30 minutes to cool.
3. Stir the nuts, beaten eggs and ground almonds into the fruit. Add the flour, baking powder and spices and sir gently until the batter is thoroughly mixed.
4. Scoop mixture into the deep muffin cases until three quarters full and level the tops with a spoon. Bake in the oven for 35 to 45 minutes until golden and just firm to touch. Remove your Christmas cupcakes from the tin and cool on a wire rack.

For the topping

1. When your cupcakes are cold, roll out the marzipan and stamp one disc for each cake – each round should be about 6cm in diameter. Brush the cake tops with heated apricot jam, top with a marzipan disc and press down gently.
2. Make the fondant icing and spread it on top of each cupcake. Decorate with sugar sprinkles – or whatever takes your fancy and leave to set. Your Christmas cupcakes will keep in a tin or airtight container for 3 weeks.

Please note: If you want to bake in advance, you can freeze your Christmas cupcakes without the icing.

For more simple recipes that will make delicious home-made Christmas gifts ideas, why not try our tasty chocolate truffles recipe or peppermint cream sweets?

Mince pies are one of Christmas‘ favourite treats and what better way to impress friends and family than by baking your own?

Make your mince pies extra special with a touch of rich, melt in the mouth marzipan and light lemon flavoured pastry. The recipe’s simple too so you can even get the kids to help!

The catch? If you have a large family I would recommend you bake two batches as these mince pies are very moreish – just look at Rudolph eyeing them up!

This simple mince pie recipe will take about 45 minutes (including baking time) and makes 12.

Ingredients

• 100g 4oz of plain flour
• 100g/ 4 oz of self raising flour
• 100g of butter softened
• 1tbsp of caster sugar
• Finely grated zest of one lemon or orange
• 85g / 3oz of marzipan cut into 12 small square (just enough to cover the bottom of the mince pies)
• 3/4 jar of mincemeat 300g / 11oz
• Icing sugar for dusting (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven at 200C (180C for oven fan) or gas mark 6 and butter a 12 hole bun tin.
2. Using your fingers or a food processor, work in the two types of flour and the butter until you have a crumby mixture. Add the sugar, the zest and 3 to 4 table spoons of water and kneed the dough until it comes together in a ball.
3. Roll out the dough thinly on a lightly floured surface. Stamp out 12 x 9cm (3 1/2 inch) circles with a cookie cutter and place them into the buttered tin.
4. Put your marzipan pieces into the bottom of each pastry case and spoon in the mincemeat. Be careful not to over fill them or your mince pies might turn out rather sticky.
5. Roll out the left over pastry, cut out star shapes and lay them on top. Bake in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes until golden. Leave the pies to cool for a few minutes, take them out of the tray and transfer them onto a wire rack until completely cold. They will keep in an airtight container for a few days.

You can also prepare your mince pies ahead and freeze them uncooked. They will bake straight from the freezer in about 25 minutes.

For more home made Christmas treats, why not try our Tasty Chocolate Truffles Recipe or our Peppermint Cream Sweets Recipe? Alternatively check out our range of delicious chocolates.

Christmas is a fun time of year, but it can also be stressful when struggling to find original and affordable gift ideas. Our practical Christmas gifts tips will help you get the creative juices flowing, so you can sit back and enjoy the big day!

Small Christmas gifts for friends, relatives and teachers

Baubles or decorations as Christmas gifts

Pretty baubles, Christmas candles or other decorations can make special gifts for Christmas. It’s more personal than a box of chocolates and the recipient will remember you each year when they decorate their house for Christmas. If you have children, baubles could make a cute teacher gift idea. You could also decorate baubles with small pictures of the children to give to close relatives.

Home made treats

Home made biscuits, sweets or Chocolates are always welcome Christmas gifts. Why not make a large batch of peppermint creams, chocolate truffles or mince pies? Put a few of each in a little box or transparent food bag, tie with a ribbon and you have a supply of affordable small gifts for friends and relatives.

Decorated picture frames

For a cute inexpensive keepsake gift for grandparents, why not buy small plain photo frames and ask the children to decorate them with glitter and paint? When your frame is decorated, just insert a recent picture of the children or a favourite drawing.

Find more inexpensive Christmas gift ideas in our Budget Christmas Gift Ideas article.

Gift tips for a stress-free Christmas

Get the toys ready to play with

Children’s toys can be notoriously fiddly to get out of the packaging. Why not open your kid’s toys, remove the fixings and check all batteries are in before you wrap them up? They will be able play with them straight away and you will have time to unwrap your own presents too.

Wrap as you go

Wrap and label your presents as you buy them – this will break up a somewhat daunting task and free up time nearer Christmas.

Send your Christmas gifts

While it is an opportunity to catch up with everyone, driving around to all your friends and relatives to hand out gifts can be time consuming.

Why not lighten-up your work load and send your Christmas gifts by post? Many online shops offer free wrapping and gift messages in the run up to Christmas. So shopping online will not only save you wrapping and posting the gifts yourself,  but it will also allow you to shop at your own convenience in the comfort of your home.

Many online stores offer guaranteed before Christmas delivery dates, so you can be confident that your Christmas gifts will arrive in plenty of time for Christmas Day.

For hassle-free Christmas gifts, why not browse our range of Christmas balloon gifts, teddy bears and chocolates?

To discover more tips for a stress-free Christmas, why not read our Christmas countdown, Christmas stress management and A Christmas (Gift Buying) Carol articles?

Gift wrapping, gift tags and Christmas cards

Alternative wrapping paper

Even if you recycle, buying paper to wrap presents can seem wasteful. Why not use alternative wrapping paper, such as newsprint, or children’s art work?

You could also make the wrapping part of the gift and present your gift in a bag, vase, antique box, picnic basket, backpack or anything the recipient might enjoy or use. Fabric bags that can be re-used for shopping are also an alternative to conventional gift wrapping. For more gift wrapping ideas, check out our gift wrapping tips.

Recycled gift tags

Why not cut out old Christmas cards to make gift tags for the next year? You will recycle and save some money too!

Create your own greeting cards

If you have children, relatives and teacher will love to receive hand made cards.

You can either create your own cards with crafts materials, or for more professional results have the cards printed with your own artwork.

Ask the children to draw a festive picture (or create your own), scan the artwork and have it printed on the front of a card. Several companies offer this service online. You can also use the “photo card” service in your local supermarket to print the scanned image.

While Secret Santa is a fun way for a group of people to give and receive a gift, it can be difficult to buy a gift for someone you don’t know very well on a limited budget.

Our Secret Santa gift guide is packed with tips and gift ideas ranging from novelty chocolate pizzas to books and toiletries. With most gifts under £10.00 you’ll find something for every friend, family member or co-worker.

Buying gifts for the office Secret Santa

If you’re buying a gift for work’s Secret Santa, remember that it is often best to give gifts that offer an escape from work.

While you can choose a funny novelty Secret Santa Gift it is best to avoid saucy gifts – even if intended as a joke, they might shock or offend. You often spend more time with office or work colleagues than friends and relatives, so you don’t want to risk upsetting them!

Stick to the guide line prices – overly expensive gifts would make others feel uncomfortable.

Always have a couple extra items in stock – it would be embarrassing to realise you’ve forgotten to include someone!

You can read more on office gifts on our web site.

Funny and novelty Secret Santa gifts

Anything from a novelty shop. From naughty card games to fart machines, there are fun novelty gifts for everyone. Just make sure you don’t go overboard!

For something a little different, why not check out our novelty chocolates? Chocolate coins, chocolate pizzas are fun treats for everyone. White chocolate maggots are popular with fishermen and chocolate tools with DIY fans. You could also try putting someone off chocolate forever with creepy chocolate worms or chocolate spiders.

Our Small Traditional Sweet Shop is filled with traditional sweets and is sure to be a hit with adults and children of all ages.

Traditional gifts that always work

While these gifts are not highly original they are traditional favourites because they work. Generic enough to be suitable for people you don’t know very well, they can also be personalised if picked with thought.

• Books – paperbacks are relatively inexpensive – from novels to recipe books you can tailor your choice to the recipient’s taste
• Belgian chocolates – always popular!
• Journal or photo album
• Gift vouchers – not always a cop out, especially for people who like to shop for themselves and have picky tastes.
• Alcohol gifts – wine, champagne or their favourite drink
• Board games or card games – some classic games like Uno are relatively inexpensive and will provide useful entertainment over Christmas
• Teddy bears and cuddly toys – Christmas teddy bears can be taken out every year. While Little Uglys, Uglydoll Clip-ons, My Blue Nose Friends and The Snowman Soft Toy are all popular small gifts for adults and children of all ages
• Beauty products – bath bomb, shower gels can be tailored to all budget and are popular Secret Santa gifts for women
• Scented candles
• Plants – choose a small seasonal plant such as poinsettia

If you want to get creative

If you’re blessed with creative talents, then why not make your own gifts? Creative cooks could make Christmas cakes or other festive foods. They would no doubt make a welcome gift. You could also organise a Secret Santa with a creative theme. Usually popular with groups of girlfriends where givers need to make or customise and idet of clothing or some Christmas decorations for the recipients.

Not sure how secret Santa works?

Secret Santa, also known as Chris Kindle or Kris Kringle is a western tradition were the names of all participants are placed in a hat, and each participant draws the name of a person to buy a gift for.

Participants can also submit a short list of items for the gift-giver to choose from. Usually there is a £5 or £10 spending limit and presents are exchanged anonymously. It’s popular in offices, schools, amongst groups of friends or in large families. Sometimes people leave hints, so the recipient can guess who the giver is.

A Wonderful Christmas teddy bear

After not being able to source any Storytime bears last Christmas, I am delighted to announce that this popular Gund teddy bear is back in stock!

The new model allows you to easily record the child’s name into the story. Just press and hold the teddy’s right foot. Release the foot after recording and press the left foot to read the story. The child’s name will now be inserted into the story, adding a personalised touch to your gift.

Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without Storytime bear. He measures 43cm (17″) and is made to high standards by Gund. He has super soft, silky caramel fur and a cream snout. The bear wears a red and white Christmas hat. Patiently sat with his book opened, when you press his foot he will read you the classic tale ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ while moving his head and mouth.

Check out our Christmas teddy bears section or our 7 Bestselling Christmas Teddy Bears post for more festive gifts.

About the Twas the Night Before Christmas poem

Clement Clarke Moore wrote the poem in 1822. It is also known as “A Visit from St. Nicholas”. The poem is now a Christmas favourite and many families read it on Christmas Eve.

Interestingly it is the first story associating Santa Claus (Father Christmas) with reindeers and a sleigh and it has redefined the story of Christmas as we now know it today.

It was originally published anonymously after a family friend sent the poem to the New York Sentinel in 1823 and was an immediate success. It was not until 1844 that the author claimed ownership when Twas the Night Before Christmas was included in an anthology of his work.

Read the full Clement Clarke Moore poem

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

Organisation and preparation, as explained in beating the Ghost of Last Minute Christmas Gifts and the Ghost of Indecision, both help to banish this ghost. However, there is another trick you can use – delegation.

Don’t try to do everything yourself. Give your husband, wife, partner, significant other, a list of Christmas gifts that they can buy on your behalf. If family members offer to help with Christmas dinner, let them. The old saying ‘many hands make light work’ certainly rings true at Christmas.

Another time-saving trick is to buy Christmas gifts online. In fact, online Christmas shopping can save you hours. Just think, no more sore feet from trailing around the shops, no more waiting in queues to pay for your Christmas gifts and no more traffic jams as you try to return home.

Many online stores, including Big Fat Balloons offer guaranteed “before Christmas” delivery dates, so you can be confident that your Christmas gifts will arrive in plenty of time for Christmas Day.

And if all else fails – cheat! Many stores offer Christmas gift wrapping services. Alternatively, gift bags are a quick way to wrap awkward-shaped Christmas gifts.

Follow our guidelines and the ghosts of Christmas’s past will stay well and truly hidden, allowing you to get into the spirit of Christmas.

Here’s wishing that your Christmas present and Christmas’s future are organised, relaxed and lots of fun.

Read our other ghosts of Christmas gifts posts:

• Beating the Ghosts of Christmas Gift Buying – the Ghost of Indecision
• Ghost of Pointless Christmas Presents
• Facing the Ghost of Nightmare Credit Card Bills
• Panicking about seeing the Ghost of Last Minute Christmas Gifts?

First of all, it’s important to realise that procrastination is this ghost’s best friend and that it usually brings the Ghost of Nightmare Credit Card Bills to join the party as well!

When you buy last minute Christmas gifts, there’s always the danger that you’ll panic and end up spending more than you intended.

You can stop this ghost in its tracks by being organised. Make a list of all the people you need to buy Christmas gifts for, and add to the list Christmas gift ideas for each person. You can then either pick up Christmas gifts as you go along or set one or two days aside to get all your Christmas shopping finished.

And just think how good you’ll feel when all your gifts are bought and wrapped!

If you need more gift buying help why not check out the following articles and blog posts:

• Get Organised – and Start Enjoying Buying Gifts!
• Online Tips to Buy Great Gifts
• Budget Christmas gift ideas that won’t break the bank
• Turn Buying Great Christmas Toys Into Child’s Play

You still have time to buy your Christmas balloons, teddy bears and chocolates online at Big Fat Balloons.

Often we manage to avoid seeing this ghost during the festive season by shutting our eyes and saying ‘I can’t see you’. But there comes a point, when this ploy no longer works. The Ghost of Nightmare Credit Card Bills is usually most visible on a grey morning early in January, when the appearance of a letter on the doormat sends a shiver down your spine.

But it can be beaten! Tackling this ghost head-on is our best advice. If you’re disciplined enough and can put a little bit of money away each week throughout the year, then you’ll find Christmas a much easier financial burden to bear.

You could set a budget for each person you have to buy Christmas gifts for and stick to your initial budget – a few pounds here and there will soon add up if you’ve a big family.

Some find it helpful to use cash instead of credit cards. When you can see the money you’re spending you’ll be less likely to overspend.

At Big Fat Balloons, we’ve a range of Christmas gifts to suit all budgets, so you needn’t fear this overspending ghost.

We’ve all been visited by this ghost at one time or another. Forking out for the latest gadget that seemed like a great buy at the time, only to find it buried in a drawer years later.

To destroy this ghost, always think twice before you buy. First, ask yourself if the gift has real purpose or wow factor? For instance, the Furby – the must-have toy from a decade ago – was entertaining for at least fifteen minutes, but had no real use other than as a furry ornament, collecting dust on an office shelf.

Yet on the other hand, electronic consoles including the Wii, Nintendo DS, Sony Playstation, have a certain amount of longevity as you can buy new games. They’re also great at keeping the kids (and even the husband) quiet for an hour or so, that is until the arguments about whose turn it is next, kick-off.

The second question to ask is – will they really appreciate this Christmas gift? Again it’s about going beyond the novelty factor and working out whether or not the gift will have real value for the recipient.

For more gift ideas and inspiration, why not check out:

• Classic Gifts That Always Work
• Budget Christmas gift ideas that won’t break the bank
• 6 Top tips that make buying gifts for kids child’s play
• Turn Buying Great Christmas Toys Into Child’s Play

Here’s to a fun Christmas and keep an eye out for our next ghost of Christmas gift buying.