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It appears Christmas cakes are not just a thing in Japan and China: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_cake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_cake -

It appears Christmas cakes are not just a thing in Japan and China: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_cake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_cake - and then there's some other delicious cake-like things: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stollen https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stollen Pudding however, now THAT is a weird Christmas tradition :)

girzel 11y ago
Wow, from the Wikipedia link: "Christmas cakes of this style were originally released by Fujiya, and was popularized when they began sales at Ginza, the central commercial district in Tokyo. This was during the time when Japan was going through massive waves of Westernization, particularly by the upper elite class. Members of the upper class, who had a strong penchant for Western cultures in general, enjoyed Western style desserts as a delicacy. Thus, being a Western style dessert, Christmas cakes were associated with the idea of Western modernity and social status. Therefore, it was a major hit when the Christmas cakes were commercialized and became more affordable to the general public. As Christmas in Japan developed as a full-fledged commercial event, competition among confectionery stores got intense. Different shapes and styles of Christmas cakes are released across the countless numbers of confectionery stores in the country; the cakes are no longer tied down to the traditional form of round white cakes with strawberries and Santa Claus on top. The Christmas cakes today are symbolized as a ritual of Christmas celebration; specifically, the act of sharing the cake with family or friends." An excellent explanation of what's going on! I knew about fruitcake for Christmas, but these are totally different.
PhasmaFelis 11y ago
My mother has always served a Christ Baby Birthday Cake (coffee cake, with coffee and hot chocolate) for breakfast on Christmas morning. I think that's just a family tradition, but it is a lovely start to the day.
astrange 11y ago
Christmas pudding means a kind of very rich soft cake you pour brandy over and set on fire for effect. US pudding is called custard in the UK. Now you'll be amazed what they think pants are.

girzel 11y ago

Wow, from the Wikipedia link: "Christmas cakes of this style were originally released by Fujiya, and was popularized when they began sales at Ginza, the central commercial district in Tokyo. This was during the time when Japan was going through massive waves of Westernization, particularly by the upper elite class. Members of the upper class, who had a strong penchant for Western cultures in general, enjoyed Western style desserts as a delicacy. Thus, being a Western style dessert, Christmas cakes were associated with the idea of Western modernity and social status. Therefore, it was a major hit when the Christmas cakes were commercialized and became more affordable to the general public. As Christmas in Japan developed as a full-fledged commercial event, competition among confectionery stores got intense. Different shapes and styles of Christmas cakes are released across the countless numbers of confectionery stores in the country; the cakes are no longer tied down to the traditional form of round white cakes with strawberries and Santa Claus on top. The Christmas cakes today are symbolized as a ritual of Christmas celebration; specifically, the act of sharing the cake with family or friends." An excellent explanation of what's going on! I knew about fruitcake for Christmas, but these are totally different.

PhasmaFelis 11y ago

My mother has always served a Christ Baby Birthday Cake (coffee cake, with coffee and hot chocolate) for breakfast on Christmas morning. I think that's just a family tradition, but it is a lovely start to the day.

astrange 11y ago

Christmas pudding means a kind of very rich soft cake you pour brandy over and set on fire for effect. US pudding is called custard in the UK. Now you'll be amazed what they think pants are.