I prefer homemade or from bakery because since I did make it, I could appreciate the effort by others to make it. But I prefer a light fruitcake vs. dark.

For several Christmases, a while ago, I did make my own fruitcake which was fresh cranberry-apricot fruitcake soaked in brandy for 1 month. Gave pieces to family members and some close friends as part of my gifts. Mine had candied ginger and I never put in maraschino cherries.

I stopped making and giving it when 1 of my brother-in-laws told me that their chunk was still around after a few months.

Note: Real marzipan is lovely. One needs to go to a European style artisan bakery.