The tradition of putting coins in Christmas pudding has historical roots and is associated with various customs. The practice dates back to Victorian England, and it was believed to bring good luck and prosperity to the person who found the coin in their serving of Christmas pudding.
Here are a few reasons and beliefs associated with placing coins in Christmas pudding:
- Wealth and Prosperity: The coins, typically silver coins, were thought to symbolize wealth and prosperity. Finding a coin in your slice of Christmas pudding was believed to bring good fortune and financial success in the coming year.
- Religious Symbolism: Some interpretations link the coins to the story of the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to the baby Jesus. The coins in the pudding may represent the gold, frankincense, and myrrh brought by the Wise Men.
- Charms and Predictions: In addition to coins, other small objects like a ring, thimble, or button might also be hidden in the Christmas pudding. Each item was thought to carry a specific meaning or prediction for the person who found it. For example, finding a ring could signify an upcoming marriage.
- Celebratory Tradition: The Christmas pudding itself has deep roots in British Christmas traditions, and the addition of symbolic items adds an element of surprise and celebration to the holiday meal.
It’s important to note that while this tradition has historical significance, there are safety concerns associated with putting coins or other objects in food. Modern versions of Christmas puddings may use non-metallic alternatives to avoid any risk of injury.
Stephen is a hospitality professional from Johannesburg South Africa. His career started with THF hotels in the UK and subsequently with the Southern Sun Hotel group in Johannesburg. Stephen’s first steps into entrepreneurship was Hickmore Recruitment / CareerMap, a leading supplier of Senior and Exec recruitment services. Stephen was a founder of Pple Hospitality (formerly HSC) the largest Hospitality Industry full-service outsourced staffing company in South Africa. In March 2020 Stephen became a director and owner of the Swiss Hotel School South Africa, which is now his full time endeavour. Stephen writes for a number of publications on food and hospitality industry matters, trends and opinions.
