Holiday Mince Pie Etiquette

This custom has been part of a British Christmas since the mid-1800’s. “It is considered a marked breach of etiquette to refuse the little pie, although one is allowed to take it home and eat it later. This, however, is not very often done, for who would refuse the coming of a happy month by refusing to overtax the stomach for just one more little pie?” – These mince pies fall into the “finger food” category, unless accompanied by whipping cream, custard or some other accompaniment. Then the proper etiquette is to eat your mince pie with a fork.
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Happy Months – An Odd Custom Observed in England at Christmas Time

“Happy Months” is the name applied to the little mince pies made at Christmas time throughout England and served to any guests who may call at the house during the holidays. The saying is that for every one of those tiny pies one eats, a happy month will come during the year, only the pies must be given to the one who eats them. 

When one calls at the house the little pies are brought forth with a glass of wine or a cup of tea, and, however well satisfied one may already be as regards one's appetite or how many of these “happy month” pies he has already eaten. It is considered a marked breach of etiquette to refuse the little pie, although one is allowed to take it home and eat it later. This, however, is not very often done, for who would refuse the coming of a happy month by refusing to overtax the stomach for just one more little pie? 

In some parts of England these little pies are literally made by the dozen, so there will be plenty of them for family and friends. They are made of the richest of puff paste, too, which, at the best of times, is an indigestible goody, and the crust is filled with a mince meat filling that is even richer than the crust.—Suburban Life, 1908

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