42. I’m Not a Fruit Cake, You Are
Fruitcake, a blend of dried fruits, nuts, and brandy, has a mixed reputation. In the UK, it’s a cherished treat, even making appearances at royal weddings like those of Princess Diana and Kate Middleton. However, in America, it’s often the butt of holiday jokes. Truman Capote captured its essence in his 1956 short story about “fruitcake weather.” Manitou Springs, Colorado, even celebrates an annual Fruitcake Toss Day on January 3.
The dessert’s comedic potential was famously highlighted by Johnny Carson in 1985 when he quipped, “The worst Christmas gift is fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other.” This enduring love-hate relationship with fruitcake remains a quirky and amusing aspect of holiday culture.