Milk and cookies for Santa: Why not try something new? | Canadian Goodness (2024)

FAQs

Is leaving out milk and cookies for Santa a French tradition? ›

Traditionally, le Père Noël brings toys to good little boys and girls after evening Mass on Christmas Eve. 3. Children do not leave Santa Claus milk and cookies. French adults rarely drink milk and will usually laugh at the idea of a leaving a glass of milk for a grown man, even if he is Santa.

The treat shows appreciation to Santa for the gifts he leaves behind on Christmas Eve. It also signifies generosity, as you are sharing something with Santa, a quality often encouraged during the festive season. Milk and cookies are also a symbol of family tradition.

With millions facing sudden hardships, parents wanted their children to learn the importance of giving to others. To do this, families began leaving snacks for a weary Santa Claus and his 8 reindeer.

Treats for Jolly Old St.

The practice of putting out cookies for Santa began in the 1930s during the Great Depression, when parents were trying to instill a sense of thankfulness in their children. Leaving goodies, perhaps in a sweet cookie jar, continues to be a way of sharing the holiday bounty.

In the past, the Netherlands would celebrate Christmas on Dec. 6, so on Dec. 5 the kids would leave out their shoes and wake up to their shoes being filled with treats. This would change over time and eventually lead to children leaving out cookies and milk for Santa instead.

Feast of Epiphany

Just as our children leave milk and cookies for Santa Claus, La Befana also gets goodies left for her to enjoy. On Christmas day 'Babbo Natale' the father of Christmas better known as (Santa Claus) might bring them some small gifts, but the main day for present giving is on Epiphany.

Milk calms down the intense sweetness from the chocolate, according to Harting, and the emulsifiers “help to smooth out the chocolate as you're eating it,” giving you the perfect creaminess-to-cookie flavor ratio. Otherwise, it could taste too gritty and crunchy.

Milk 'N' Cookies was an American power pop band from Long Island, New York. Active during the 1970s, a particularly fertile and creative period in the suburban New York music scene, the band had a loyal following of fans attracted to their unique sound.

Chocolate Chip cookies

You can never go wrong with these classic, delicious cookies. Santa himself lists these as his favorites, and he prefers them soft and gooey with lots of chocolate chips. If you decide to leave these out for him, make sure there's a glass of cold milk nearby!

Rice Porridge for Santa: The Christmas rice pudding is a dessert, a very important one during Christmas. This is the one you leave out for Santa. So instead of leaving cookies and milk for Santa, you would leave rice pudding.

What do kids leave out for Santa in Germany? ›

German children leave out handwritten letters before going to bed. Germans have more of a Christmas angel, the "Christkind," than a Santa, and they don't leave any snacks. Instead, they leave the angel handwritten letters that are decorated with sparkles and markers.

Approximately one billion cookies are left out around the world for Santa, and since Santa needs something to help wash them down, about 500 million glasses of milk are set out.

Nick during that Roaring Twenties decade. First, any variations showing Kris Kringle as a little person, or thin, or in costumes of other colors, such as green, blue and brown, were basically not to be found. Instead, the modern image of Santa as rotund, jolly and wearing his red suit trimmed in white was everywhere.

German children became worried that Santa would go hungry without quick access to snacks, and began leaving cookies elevated by the fireplace for easy access during his journey. The most popular theory however, stems from the story of St. Nicholas.

By the 16th century Christmas biscuits had become popular across Europe, with Lebkuchen being favoured in Germany and pepparkakor in Sweden, while in Norway krumkake were popular. The earliest examples of Christmas cookies in the United States were brought by the Dutch in the early 17th century.

In France, children leave out carrots and cookies in their shoes. The French make sure Santa Claus isn't hungry by leaving him treats — like biscuits — as well as carrots for the reindeer. They typically leave the goodies in their shoes and awake to find the food gone and presents in their place.

In the UK, we often leave out mince pies, a carrot for the reindeer and a little sherry to help Santa on his merry way. In the US, milk and cookies are more traditional, and in Australia, he can even expect a refreshing ice-cold beer to help with the scorching heat of summer.

Ever wondered why size-challenged Santa is left cookies to fuel him on his one-night journey? Historians believe the tradition began during the Great Depression, as a way for parents to encourage generosity in their children. The tradition stuck, and Santa isn't in danger of needing a smaller suit any time soon.

Christmas Eve and Santa Claus in Spain

Then, on January 5th children will leave out some food like clementine oranges or nuts, and a glass of brandy, for the Kings - and even some water or food for the camels or donkeys they ride on. Kids also leave their shoes out on a windowsill or under the Christmas tree.