Let’s Celebrate National Fruitcake Day

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Fruitcake. People either love it or they hate it. Whichever the case, it makes for a fun little holiday tucked between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Celebrated every year on December 27, it’s a day to share stories, tell jokes, and perhaps even try a sample of this unique treat.

Since 20% of Americans say they’ve never tried fruitcake, here’s what you’re missing. A fruitcake is a heavy cake containing a variety of ingredients that may include candied fruit, nuts, dried fruit, and spices. A traditional baker would also soak a fruitcake in some sort of liquor such as brandy or rum.

Here’s everything your residents want to know about fruitcake—and more!

1.   We must begin with the history of fruitcake. This article from How Stuff Works offers lots of fascinating facts.

2.  Fruitcake makes a great topic for reminiscing. Try asking these questions:

• How many of your residents ever received a fruitcake as a gift?
• Has anyone re-gifted a fruitcake?
• If any of your residents enjoy baking fruitcakes, do they have a secret ingredient that makes theirs unique?
• Does anyone have a funny fruitcake story to share?

3.  Did you know that you can find many versions of fruitcake in countries around the world? Find out if any of your residents have tried these delicacies.

4.  Your residents will enjoy learning alternative uses for a fruitcake. (Don’t try these at home!)

5.  Perhaps you don’t want to waste the fruitcake you received as a gift. Check out these ways to repurpose a fruitcake. (Did you know you can hide it in brownies?)

6.  If you want to offer your residents a taste of an old-fashioned fruitcake, you’ll find lots of options on Amazon. Here’s one of the most highly rated brands. (It’s often less expensive to buy a fruitcake than to make your own when you consider the expensive ingredients.)

7.  If you’re looking for another day to celebrate fruitcake, check out National Fruitcake Toss Day on January 3.

Are you looking for other little-known holidays to celebrate with your residents? Check out the activity archives!