Comes the Christmas and street stores here lined up selling plum cakes, pastries and brownies. Plum cake has been a special attraction on Christmas since ages. You can easily find them on the Christmas eve. It is actually a sensory experience and a cultural marker that signifies Christmas has truly arrived in India, making celebrations feel incomplete without its presence. It is a so called ingrained Christmas tradition, symbolizing festive warmth, nostalgia, and shared celebration. I am not aware how the tradition comes into existence. May be either from the colonial period or from anyone book-shelf. But the tradition of plum cake on Christmas bringing a sense of nostalgia and family bonding.
I remember getting a slice of the plum cake every Christmas from my parents. We enjoy them as a token of festival celebration. We are not accustomed with this festival celebration, neither did my parent. But they make sure not leaving any stone unturned, to make the occasion special. Santa - Cakes and Christmas tree, has been the highlight of Christmas. These were the basic understanding of my parents. Though we never get a Christmas tree 🌳 at home, but they made sure to make up for the other two.
Gifts from Santa
Our Christmas day begins, with searching underneath the pillow as soon as we wake up. We are only aware that On Christmas Santa comes to children and gift them Our parents used to secretly put chocolates under our pillows, to create the magic of Santa Claus. Such simple acts of love and affection brings a lot of joy on our faces. It make us believe Santa has really come. It gives us a magical feeling that someone special has come for them at night and left gifts. Even though they never been to any Christmas celebration, but their little understanding of the festival, use to create a long lasting memory for us. To recreate the Santa Claus, is a way to keep our faith in Santa Claus and the magical person who brings gifts. This makes us obedient too as it was told that Santa gives gifts only to obedient kids. And we tried to be good for rest of the year.
Plum cakes
Even today, all the nostalgic moments comes alive on Christmas. The day which begins with searching for the Gifts ends with savoring the sweet taste of Plum cakes. How could I resist now buying a Plum cake for the occasion. And I bought one this Christmas too. This time there are two qualities available Egg and Eggless, and I went with the first one, that what I remember since childhood.
Unaware of the traditional roots of how plum cake originated, my parents always made sure to share little quantity of it on the special occasion of Christmas. Our parents understanding of this cake was that, these were made up of Rum and brandy. They making sure we don't get intoxicated with the cake composition. We never get more slices of plum cake. I learned it later, that the traditional plum cakes were actually soaked in alcohol (rum, brandy, or wine). This not only enhances flavor but also acts as a preservative, allowing the cake to last for weeks. It might sound strange but the facts is these cakes were sold or rather available in market only for a days I.e. Christmas eve to Christmas. Once the festival is over, you can not find them in store. They vanishes from the store shelf as they never existed.
Cherishing the nostalgic moments of plum cake with the slice still makes our Christmas. It is dessert steeped in our memory, often representing the warmth of family, the joy of the holiday season, and the anticipation of Christmas. Todays my Dad is not around but the sweetness of the Plum cake is still around to make Christmas day nostalgic and memorable.
In good faith - Peace!!
