A rich plum pudding was served to George I on his first Christmas in England (from his native Germany) in 1714 and this did a great deal to increase its popularity. This example was quickly imitated and from then on everyone who could afford it enjoyed a rich plum pudding at Christmas dinner.

Plum pudding began to be called 'Christmas pudding' in 1836 and became the symbol of seasonal cheer, mainly due to Charles Dickens' wonderful description in A Christmas Carol.

Charms or coins are traditionally placed in the pudding before cooking - these symbolic items were originally placed inside the Twelfth Night cake that was later replaced by the Christmas cake.