tartmas

Tartmas is a modern informal term used to describe a festive focus on baking, sharing, and enjoying tarts during the winter holiday season. Unlike official holidays, Tartmas has no universal date or governance; it arises in online communities, food blogs, and local celebrations, typically taking place in December or alongside Christmas.

The term is a portmanteau of tart and mas, referring to Christmas, and began appearing in online discussions in the 2010s. Since then it has been used to describe both individual gatherings and community events centered on tart-making.

Common practices include hosting tart bake-offs or potlucks, exchanging tart recipes, and running tart-themed charity bake sales. Participants may use a Tartmas hashtag to share recipes and photos, and some bakeries or cafes offer limited-time tart menus to mark the season.

Culinary scope ranges from fruit tarts and custard tarts to savory options such as quiche; seasonal ingredients like citrus, apples, berries, and nuts are often featured. Techniques highlighted include blind baking, lattice tops, and frangipane fillings.

In cultural terms, Tartmas emphasizes hospitality and culinary creativity in dessert making, serving as a lighthearted way to celebrate winter holidays through pastry. It appears in fiction and marketing as a festive motif, but remains informal and highly variable by region and community.