Christmas cake as a derogatory term in Japan

If you spend enough time in Japan, you may eventually hear the phrase Christmas cake used in a way that has nothing to do with a festive dessert. For many expats (myself included) it can be a real record-scratch moment.

Historically, Christmas cake (クリスマスケーキ) was a derogatory term used to describe unmarried women over the age of 25, with the logic behind it uncomfortably literal. The idea was that after December 25th, Christmas cake is discounted or thrown away because the "special day" has passed, and by extension, women past the age of 25 were framed as having missed their ideal marriage window. The term gained traction during the 1970s to 1990s, when early marriage and rigid gender roles were still widely expected.

This is the only reference to クリスマスケーキ that I want to be hearing :)

It's worth stressing that this expression is now considered outdated and sexist (as it should be). From what I understand, younger generations know it only as an example of how harsh social pressure once was, rather than something to use seriously. If it does pop up today, it's usually in an ironic or self-aware context.

The first time I heard the term, I found it to be especially jarring. Don't get me wrong, I think some age-based stereotypes exist everywhere, but in my home country there's no widely accepted metaphor suggesting someone loses social value after a specific birthday. In Australia, staying single into your late 20s or 30s barely raises an eyebrow. I only married my husband at 28, but I have plenty of friends back home who enjoy the single life or choose not to marry and prefer to just remain in de-facto relationships. 

Have you ever heard anyone use the "Christmas Cake" term in this fashion here in Japan?