Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

Can (should) children eat Christmas pudding?

103 replies

Dampfnudel · 12/12/2016 10:26

We are going to relatives for Christmas, and there will be Christmas pudding. They always drench it in brandy and set fire to it, plus it is home-made and I think there is a fair bit of alcohol in it too.

My 9 year old loves foods like that - dark and full of dried fruit. I know she'll want to eat a big portion of Christmas pudding, and I am worried about the alcohol content.

Am I being ridiculously over-protective? I am considering buying a mini size non-alcoholic pudding just for her.

This has never come up with any of the other children in the family (who are older), they always have ice cream or chocolate sundae or something instead because they don't like Christmas pudding. Last year I only let DD have a very small portion because I was concerned about the alcohol, and the rest of the family told me I was daft, and DD was upset.

Am I worrying about nothing, or is it too much alcohol?

OP posts:
Whatthefreakinwhatnow · 12/12/2016 10:28

I literally wouldn't bat and eyelid at DD9 eating it.

user1480946351 · 12/12/2016 10:29

It's a few sips of alcohol, I wouldn't even think about it.

TheRealCurlySue · 12/12/2016 10:29

I may be wrong but doesn't setting it on fire burn off the alcohol? I don't think as a one off it would matter if she had some either way.

ToDuk · 12/12/2016 10:29

Doesn't most of the alcohol burn off? We douse ours in brandy and the kids always have some.

ACubed · 12/12/2016 10:30

I would 't worry, I'm sure most of the alcohol burns off / is cooked out anyway, like with mulled wine.

Sparlklesilverglitter · 12/12/2016 10:31

You only have A slice of Christmas pudding so based on that no I wouldn't worry about children having it.

Even if your DD wants a "big portion" as a one off its fine

Kittenrush · 12/12/2016 10:32

The fire burns off the alcohol that it's covered in and as for the content well its mixed in with plenty of stodge. Also she's 9 :) In European countries lots of 9yos are guzzling watered down wine with their dinner! YABU, just a little x

halcyondays · 12/12/2016 10:32

nothing to worry about

NotCitrus · 12/12/2016 10:32

Give her some from the bottom which won't have brandy on. It'll be fine.

EmeliaHerveyHenryFitzroy · 12/12/2016 10:33

I wouldn't be bothered about it either. Mine don't like boozey puds but I wouldn't be bothered at 9 if they did.

blueskyinmarch · 12/12/2016 10:33

ACubed. The alcohol in mulled wine is not burned off as it is only heated not boiled. Please don’t think it is none alcoholic! I have had many a tipsy evening over the years drinking mulled wine. I would imagine the alcohol in a well boiled Christmas pudding will be minimal though.

EatTheCake · 12/12/2016 10:33

It's fine Xmas Smile

It would not worry me in the slightest all mine had it from really young. My youngest is 12 months and if he wants a taste on Christmas Day he will be given a teaspoon to try

Pinkheart5915 · 12/12/2016 10:34

Wouldn't worry me Xmas Grin

Original poster
Dampfnudel · 12/12/2016 10:36

Thanks, so I was being daft Blush.

I can get a bit over-anxious over things to do with DD, usually DH brings me down to earth, but he said he didn't know in this case.

OP posts:
Artandco · 12/12/2016 10:38

Mine will definatly eat and 4 years younger.Have since babies. They aren't eating the whole thing and it's a portion in relation to size ie at 8months old mine would have had but at that age literally a spoon full

Allalonenow · 12/12/2016 10:39

As long as she doesn't swallow the sixpence, she will be fine! Xmas Grin

ACubed · 12/12/2016 10:41

Really?? Wow just looked it up (not that I didn't believe you :) ) and I've been living a lie. I used to work on a mulled wine stall at Christmas, you'd think I should have known that!

icepop9000 · 12/12/2016 15:10

This is the reason you don't boil mulled wine othen wise the alcohol would eventually boil off. Most mulled wines have brandy etc in them.
As for Xmas pudding it a bit of pudding even if soaked in boozero it wouldn't be a hugeneral amount. Some mouth washes have alogos in them!!

rightsofwomen · 12/12/2016 15:22

I'd be more worried about her puking up after eating big portion of Xmas pud after a possibly large roast! It's very rich!

Yummy! I just fed mine brandy this morning. Grin

TheCompanyOfCats · 12/12/2016 15:23

I always had wine with my Christmas dinner when I was little (as far back as I can remember) so I wouldn't be worried about Christmas pud Smile

TwitterQueen1 · 12/12/2016 15:25

Presumably you mean your pudding Rightsofwomen and not your DD Xmas Wink

TinklyLittleLaugh · 12/12/2016 15:25

I imagine the alcohol on a pudding gets burned off. I've never worried about that. I do have a bit of a concern about my Christmas cake though, which is always liberally fed with brandy for weeks. My kids love Christmas cake.

Idiotxit · 12/12/2016 15:25

Yummy! I just fed mine brandy this morning

I usually wait until they're back from school or just before bedtime.

DixieWishbone · 12/12/2016 15:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ObsidianWinter · 12/12/2016 15:31

I'd be fine with my child having it. We've always been fairly relaxed about a little alcohol on special occasions. Our ds is 3yo and he will be allowed a "wine spritzer" (a dribble of wine with loads of lemonade), a watered down mulled wine (a dribble of wine in warm water), or a watered down mead (a dribble of mead in cold water) with his dinner if he wants one. As he gets older the ratios will gradually change, so it's not a shock when he reaches 18 and goes for a drink with his friends!

The way I see it, this takes the taboo out of it so it's not some special grownup drink that he will crave because he wasn't allowed it. It also will teach him that if he wants it, it comes in moderation (even if it's a feast day when there is the idea that it's ok to overindulge).