What was their problem with mince pie? Just too enjoyable?
Back when, the mince pies (called Christmas Pye) were baked in the shape of a manger, often adorned with a little pastry Christ child, and so were “idolatrous”. This seemed to me the main objection of the Puritans on this side of the pond. Our Puritans banned Christmas celebrations altogether, but seemed particularly incensed by mince pies.
Mince pie hatred seems to have begun in earnest in England with Cromwell trying to turn Christmas into a solemn occasion, no feasting and merriment. And, of course, they were associated with “popery”.
I learned about my mince-pie-hating ancestors through reading while doing family research before the internet, but tried to look it up online for you. Found these:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/crusades-christmas-history-mincemeat-pies-180966981/
https://www.vice.com/en/article/screw-the-puritans-and-eat-more-mince-pies/
https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/when-the-puritans-banned-mincemeat-pie/
Anyway, I can’t help thinking of my mince-pie-hating Puritan ancestors every Christmas when the mince pie is cut and silently thinking “In your eye — I’m having my pye!”