WHEN do I make this retirement cake?

[timetosmile]

I am making and decorating a big fruitcake for a retirement party.

I usually only bake large ones at Christmas, when I make them ages in advance, periodically slosh alcohol in etc etc., or small loaf tin ones which the family devour in a couple of days.

How many weeks in advance of the party should I make the cake, and do I add brandy or will that make it taste too Christmassy?!

Thanks MNers!

I made a standard Xmas fruitcake for a summer birthday celebration and it went down a treat!

My prep sounds like yours: make well in advance and drown dose with brandy once a week for 3 months

I would make it in a big deep circular tin, but that's just quibbling.

Am sure people will devour it - there's a reason fruitcake is a classic!