What is Mincemeat Pie and Figgy Pudding?

Yay, the holiday season is upon us and once again, my children have questions that are hard to answer! Or hard to understand, maybe. This year, they have asked about mincemeat pie and figgy pudding, so I thought I would share what I know/found out with you. When I was an itty bitty one, my great grandmother made mincemeat pies from venision. I hated them. Why? In my mind, they weren't pies. Pies were supposed to be sweet and candy-like. You know, like apple pie, or pumpkin pie. And, they had raisins. I have never cared much for raisins. But…