In the United States, for reasons best known to themselves, December has been declared both National Pear Month and National Fruit Cake Month, along with the 15th December being National Cupcake Day. In China, presumably because their ancient culture really appreciates such, the Chinese celebrate the winter solstice, 21/22 December, by feasting on dumplings in northern areas, sticky puddings in the south. But why this Christmas Day, Thursday 25th December, Americans will celebrate as National Pumpkin Pie Day is to the rest of us a mystery. Elsewhere we have other ideas in mind.
