A mince pie, also known as minced pie, is a small British sweet pie traditionally served during the Christmas season. Its ingredients are traceable to the 13th century, when returning European crusaders brought with them Middle Eastern recipes containing meats, fruits and spices.

The early mince pie was known by several names, including mutton pie, shrid pie and Christmas pie. Typically its ingredients were a mixture of minced meat, suet, a range of fruits, and spices such as cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg. Served around Christmas, the savoury Christmas pie (as it became known) was associated with supposed Catholic “idolatry” and during the English Civil War was frowned on by the Puritan authorities. Nevertheless, the tradition of eating Christmas pie in December continued through to the Victorian era, although by then its recipe had become sweeter and its size reduced markedly from the large oblong shape once observed. Today the mince pie remains a popular seasonal treat enjoyed by many across the United Kingdom.

Although the modern recipe is no longer the same list of 13 ingredients once used (representative of Christ and his 12 Apostles according to author Margaret Baker), and lacks the religious meaning contained therein, the mince pie remains a popular Christmas treat. Bakers Greggs reported sales of 7.5 million mince pies during Christmas 2011. The popular claim that the consumption of mince pies on Christmas Day is illegal, is considered to be an urban myth.

Christmas pudding is a type of pudding traditionally served on Christmas Day (December 25). It has its origins in medieval England, and is sometimes known as plum pudding or plum duff, though this can also refer to other kinds of boiled pudding involving dried fruit. Despite the name “plum pudding,” the pudding contains no actual plums due to the pre-Victorian use of the word “plums” as a term for “raisins.”

Traditionally puddings were made on or immediately after the Sunday “next before Advent”, i.e. four to five weeks before Christmas.

The day became known as “Stir-up Sunday”. Traditionally everyone in the household, or at least every child, gave the mixture a stir and made a wish while doing so.

It was common practice to include small silver coins in the pudding mixture, which could be kept by the person whose serving included them. The usual choice was a silver threepence or a sixpence. The coin was believed to bring wealth in the coming year.

Other tokens are also known to have been included, such as a tiny wishbone (to bring good luck), a silver thimble (for thrift), or an anchor (to symbolise safe harbour).

Once turned out of its basin, decorated with holly, doused in brandy, and flamed (or “fired”), the pudding is traditionally brought to the table ceremoniously, and greeted with a round of applause.

With its gloomy dungeons, haunted tower and bloodthirsty history, where better to spend Halloween than in London?

There are loads of Halloween events in London on and around 31 October. From terrifying witches to spooky club nights, the capital is home to Halloween events for all ages and tastes.

This Halloween, the The London Eye has The Witch Academy, a magical school of mysticism and sorcery for children and their families. Classes will run throughout the October half-term break and youngsters will need to work together to find the two missing witches to graduate at The Witch Academy and enjoy a bespoke Halloween Storytelling experience on the London Eye.

Visitors can also take a spook-tacular cruise along the River Thames on the London Eye River Cruise where you can enjoy a chilling cocktail and monster mash to the spooky sounds of the devilish DJ while discovering the history of the mysterious River Thames and hear the tales of the river and marvel at the riverside landmarks.

London’s newest outdoor attraction – Up at The O2 – is upping the thrills for its first ever Halloween event. From 27 October to 4 November, Up at The O2 – Climb of the Cursed gives visitors the chance to experience the exhilarating walkway above one of the Capital’s most iconic venues in the day and in the dark and explore the horrors of London along the way. Along the way there’ll be tricks, treats and surprises, including hidden Trick or Treat pockets in bespoke and cosy climb suits donned by visitors at Base Camp. At the Summit, climbers will be given a gothic-style spooky map of London enabling them to pinpoint and view some of the many horror hotspots of the Capital. A ‘You’ve Survived’ personalized certificate completes the experience on return to ground level. Pre-booking for this very limited capacity spooky experience of a lifetime is highly recommended.

Head to this outdoor adventure center in east London on Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 October for some extreme apple bobbing where you are suspended above a tank of water. Take a flight on the zip wire – Count Zipula – and win a prize for the most sinister laugh. There’s also ‘Pumpkin Bushcraft’ and ‘Going for Ghouls’ archery

The London Dungeon is always a winner for a great place to be scared! This Halloween meet The London Dungeon’s new mischievous Halloween character – The Trickster – residing at the attraction for a limited time only, from 29 September to 4 November. Lurking around corners and ready to startle you and your unsuspecting mates, be prepared to face The Trickster’s terrible torture or, if fortune is on your side, be pleasantly surprised by a sweet treat – all in the name of scary fun.

Double decker sightseeing bus tours are quite normal but have you ever traveled on an all black double decker bus and heard spooky tales of crime and murder as you’re taken around London? Probably not I’d guess but that’s exactly what’s on offer from Ghost Bus Tours.

On-board actors and technical trickery combine to create the scariest tour in town. A creepy conductor provides the commentary for this sinister sightseeing show, revealing haunted palaces, unmarked burial grounds and the skeletons in the capital’s cupboard.

If you are in search of ghosts and ghouls to get you shaking in your boots then a visit to The Tower of London is a must. Many an execution has taken place within these walls from Guy Fawkes to Anne Boleyn whose ghosts are said to dwell within the tower, haunting all those that are brave enough to enter.

So let’s have fun!

Resource: About.com Guide

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