When do you start making your Christmas cake?

[One2Three4Five6]

Just that really...
I LOVE Christmas cake, but have never actually made my own.
I remember my Grandad always making one and 'feeding' it alcohol weeks, or maybe even months before the day itself.
When is best to start the cake?

Made mine last week (Delia recipe). Will be feeding it once a week from today. Will marzipan and ice it a few days before Christmas

Stir up Sunday! I think it's the last Sunday in November.

A lovely tradition but no bugger eats the bloody thing

3 weeks ago, but if you make it now it's still fine!

Made mine 2 weeks ago. Got given a recipe a couple of years back by a mumsnetter for vodka and cranberry cake. It's lush

Made mine 2 weeks ago-chocolate and stout this year, no feeding required with this one.Always use good housekeeping recipes they are very reliable

Ooh, vodka and cranberry sounds fab [santa]

I made mine at the weekend. Dried fruit is much plumper these days so you don't need to soak it for as long, or feed cake as long. I'd say though it takes a good 5-6 weeks to mature though so early Nov works for us, as we always start it early to ensure it gets eaten!

I use the Delia recipe and shave an hour off the baking time as ovens are more efficient these days!

I would love a recommendation for a lighter Christmas cake recipe if anyone has one? No-one else in the family likes traditional fruit cake but I think a lighter one would go down well. I've seen a recipe from Mary Berry but it doesn't involve booze, marzipan or icing (which are the best bits in my view)

My friend makes the Nigella chocolate Christmas cake which she makes just the week before and is delicious :
www.nigella.com/recipes/chocolate-fruit-cake