I find it harder and harder to get into the Christmas spirit every year.

I'm not really sure why my ho-ho-ho comes out more ho-ho-hum, but one package arriving at the door each year gives me the jingles all over.

My wife's Aunt Barbara sends a homemade fruitcake each year, and once I bite into a slice I'm ready to don a Santa hat and hop on a sleigh.

There's always been a great divide when it comes to fruitcake. Either you grew up with it, or you didn't. I'm the former, and I find all of the homemade offerings (no matter what shape they come in) delectable, as well as a store-bought variety here and there.

Fruitcakes have been around for centuries, with ancient Egyptians being credited for the invention, which they often placed on the tombs of loved ones. Roman soldiers took them into battle, and the fruitcake has been a common gift for military personnel ever since.

Apparently, the gift connection is how it became attached to Christmas, and eventually it made an appearance in Truman Capote's short story, "A Christmas Memory."

The cake has been the butt of infinite jokes, centered around its density and ability to remain edible for a long period of time.

I think it must be the candied fruit - often red and green pieces - which harbor the most disdain for the cake. I feel you gotta have that in there, or it's just not Christmas.

And really, the cake should be popular just on the ingredients alone: mainly rum and butter. C'mon - it doesn't get much better than that.

I've never turned down any other fruited cake or bread either. I'm a sucker for banana or zucchini breads, and a chocolate zucchini bread will have me under its spell immediately. If my wife made one and told me I'd have to paint the house before I could have a slice, I'd be there with a brush in my hand before she finished the sentence.

But back to the season. Just a little slice of heaven every morning sets the holiday mood for the entire day. Aside from the great flavor, I'm sure there's a psychological element involved - knowing Aunt Barb tossed a lot of love into the mix as well.

Yep, it's the season for festive feasting. And besides: I have a whole other year coming up to stick to my diet.

Jerry Hitchcock will surely add a few more pounds to his frame before the end of the year and, if he's taking a break from raiding the kitchen, you might be able to reach him at 664-8176, Ext. 2017, via email at jhitchcock@cdapress.com or on Twitter at HitchTheWriter.