In the isolated outposts of Newfoundland and Labrador on the eastern coast of Canada, unique Christmas customs evolved.  In the old days, one of these was called "blowing the pudding". This meant:

As the pudding was successfully lifted from the pot, the man of the house would do his part by shooting a gun into the air.  Enlivening Christmas celebrations with gunfire or fireworks is a widespread custom, though it is not usually associated with puddings.  In some places, the loud reports serve the additional purpose of driving away evil spirits.