Marks And Spencer Christmas Puddings 2026

Picture this: it’s October 2026. You’re shuffling through your local Marks & Spencer, dodging a man in a reindeer jumper who’s eyeing a Percy Pig advent calendar like it’s a Fabergé egg. And then you see it—the stack of Christmas puddings, sitting there like little brown fortresses of festive ambition. You might think, “Oh, it’s just a pudding.” You’d be dangerously wrong.

Let’s start with the Colossal Collection Pudding, the heavyweight champion of the 2026 lineup. M&S claims it weighs a staggering 1.8 kilograms. That’s heavier than a newborn baby, a bag of potatoes, or your aunt’s Opinions on Tinsel. I’m not saying you’ll need a fork lift to get it to the table, but if you drop this thing, it’s not bouncing—it’s declaring war on your floorboards.

The Booze Situation: It’s Getting Serious

M&S has always been the pub landlord of Christmas puddings—generous with the splash of brandy. But the 2026 version takes it to a new, slightly terrifying level. The traditional pud is soaked in 85% proof cognac that’s been aged in oak barrels once owned by a retired pirate. Okay, I made that last bit up, but the ABV is real enough to make a mince pie blush.

Here’s the shocking part: under UK law, you can legally feed this to children. The alcohol mostly burns off during steaming, but I still wouldn’t serve it to a toddler unless you want them demanding a tax refund from Santa. One bite and you’ll taste the dark, boozy confidence of a man who just bought a Porsche.

The New “Marmalade & Ginger” Rebel

In 2026, M&S is pulling a plot twist. Forget the usual raisins and currants. They’ve launched a Marmalade & Stem Ginger pudding that tastes like your grandmother got into a cozy fight with a gingerbread factory. It’s zesty, spicy, and alarmingly orange.

I tried a sample. The first bite whispered, “Happy Christmas.” The second bite shouted, “BRUSH YOUR TEETH.” It’s aggressively refreshing, like a snow globe that fights back. If you hate traditional pudding—maybe you’re a fruitcake heretic or a keto desperado—this one might convert you. Or at least make you forget your regrets.

The Price Tag: A Game of Royal Ransom

Let’s talk money. The standard 800g pudding will set you back £12.50—roughly the same as a posh sandwich and a cry. But the Colossal Collection? That beast is £34.99. That’s not a pudding; that’s a down payment on a festive second mortgage.

But here’s the twist: M&S guarantees every single pudding is hand-finished with a star-shaped glacé cherry and a sliver of almond that looks like a tiny, edible halo. You’re not just buying dried fruit soaked in sin. You’re buying theater. The theater of setting the thing on fire with a 50p bottle of brandy, while your family applauds like you’ve just solved world hunger.

Serve It Like a Chaos Agent

M&S’s official serving suggestion is “steam for two hours and serve with brandy butter.” But I say: microwave that bad boy in three minutes like a savage. The instructions will frown at you, but the pudding won’t care. It’s too busy being a dense, sticky miracle.

Pro tip: smother it in their new “Salted Caramel & Pecan Cream”—a 2026 addition that tastes like a hug from a millionaire. I accidentally ate half the pot with a spoon before the pudding was even ready. No regrets. It’s that good.

The Environmental Christmas Pudding Plot

Here’s a surprising fact: M&S has pledged that all 2026 puddings are 100% plastic-free in packaging. The puddings come in a recyclable cardboard “hat” and a cotton string that looks like it was knitted by a woodland elf. You’ll feel virtuous, even as you’re inhaling 2,000 calories of butter and sugar.

Also, the raisins are now Rainforest Alliance Certified. Which means you can tell your eco-skeptic cousin, “This pud saved a monkey,” while they roll their eyes. Science (and marketing) wins again.

How to Buy Before the Swarm Attacks

Last year, the Colossal Collection sold out by November 5th. People were listing them on eBay for £70—I am not joking. A man in Cardiff reportedly traded a bicycle for one. If you want the 2026 version, mark your calendar for October 1st. That’s when M&S drops the seasonal tabernacle of carbs.

Better yet: buy two. Eat one on Christmas Day. Save the other for New Year’s Eve, when you’ll be too drunk to care about “proper” dessert. It’s the gift that keeps on giving, mainly to your waistline.