Leaving Milk and Cookies For Santa is a heartwarming tradition for children. Find out more about this Christmas custom, plus over 40 fun cookie recipes.
It's that time of year again, when Christmas lights twinkle, carols fill the air, and the anticipation of Santa's arrival reaches fever pitch.
Among the many traditions that make Christmas so special is leaving milk and cookies for Santa.
This heartwarming tradition not only fuels Santa's long journey across the globe but also instills a sense of wonder and excitement in children.
It's a tangible way for them to show their appreciation for Santa's generosity and create a lasting memory of the magical spirit of Christmas.
In this article, you can find out more about this fun festive tradition, plus get 40 Christmas cookie recipes. Everything from Chocolate Peppermint Cookies and German Bethmaennchen, to Christmas Tree Cookies.
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A Brief History of Milk and Cookies for Santa
The exact origins of leaving milk and cookies for Santa / Father Christmas are shrouded in mystery, with various folklore and traditions contributing to its popularity.
One story traces the tradition back to Saint Nicholas, the 4th-century bishop known for his generosity and kindness. It is said that Saint Nicholas would often leave treats for children in need, and this practice evolved into the custom of leaving milk and cookies for Santa Claus.
Another theory suggests that the tradition emerged from the belief that feeding spirits and deities would bring good fortune. In many cultures, it was customary to leave offerings for supernatural beings to ensure their favor and protection.
During the Great Depression in the United States, the country was grappling with economic hardship. So, parents sought ways to instill gratitude and kindness in their children. As a part of this effort, the idea of leaving a little snack for Santa emerged.
Over time, this practice blended with the Christmas tradition of Santa Claus, leading to the custom of leaving milk and cookies for him.
Global Variations on a Beloved Tradition
While the basic concept of leaving food and drink for Santa remains consistent, there are interesting variations celebrated around the world.
- The UK: Father Christmas is often left a mince pie and a glass of brandy.
- Denmark: children leave rice pudding, risengrod, with a cinnamon sprinkle and a note for Santa.
- Norway: families leave out porridge with almond butter and sugar for Santa and his horse.
- Iceland: children leave out bread and fish for the Jólasveinar, mischievous Yule Lads who visit homes during the 13 nights leading up to Christmas. Or you could leave Icelandic Pepper Cookies - Piparkokur.
- Germany: children leave out carrots and an apple for Santa's reindeer alongside milk and cookies.
- Australia: cookies are often accompanied by a glass of cold beer for Santa, reflecting the country's warm summer Christmas.
Making Milk and Cookies for Santa Extra Special
To make the milk and cookie tradition even more special for kids, consider these tips:
- Set the Stage: Create a festive atmosphere by placing the milk and cookies on a decorated plate or tray.
- Personalize the Cookies: Let the kids decorate the cookies with their names or festive messages for Santa.
- Add a Note: Write a heartfelt letter to Santa expressing gratitude and sharing the year's highlights.
- Involve the Whole Family: Make it a family activity by baking the cookies together.
- Capture the Moment: Take pictures of the kids placing the milk and cookies for Santa to cherish these memories for years to come.
Leaving milk and cookies for Santa is more than just a tradition. It's a lovely way to nurture the magic of Christmas and create lasting memories for children.
It's a reminder of the spirit of giving, the joy of anticipation, and the belief in something extraordinary. So, as you prepare for the holidays, don't forget to set out those special treats for Santa. It's a lovely way to let the enchantment of Christmas fill your home.
You could try making some of these Christmas cookie recipes with your little ones. Then they can leave out a homemade treat for Santa! Don't forget the carrot for the reindeer.
Cookies For Santa
Leaving milk and cookies for Santa is a heartwarming tradition not only fuels Santa's long journey across the globe but also instills a sense of wonder and excitement in children. Here are some tasty cookie recipes so you can make them together for Santa Claus.
These Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are a decadent mix of triple chocolate flavors with a minty kick from crushed candy canes on top.
Make your own 3D edible Christmas Tree Farm! These thick shortbread cookies can stand up and be decorated to look adorable.
This traditional recipe for Bethmännchen marzipan cookies is one of the most famous German Christmas cookies. The outside of Bethmaennchen is firm and crisp, the inside is chewy, and they're studded with three crunchy almonds.
Tender sweet dried apricots and creamy white chocolate come together in these tasty, chewy cookies.
These Icelandic Pepper Cookies, also known as piparkokur or pepparkokur, are a popular Scandinavian Christmas cookie similar to gingersnaps.
These Pumpkin Snickerdoodles are a fun and festive twist on the classic cookie recipe. They're tender and full of flavor. Add them to your tray of milk and cookies for Santa!
Cut out fun shapes with these festive sugar cookies - they are soft, chewy and hold their shape perfectly! Plus an easy sugar cookie frosting that tastes great and hardens with a beautiful shine.
Condensed milk makes these chocolate chip cookies super soft and chewy. Perfect for Santa's cookies and milk.
These chocolate chip cookies have a tropical coconut twist. It not only adds flavor, but extra chewiness.
Santa might be vegan! Leave him these adorable vegan gingerbread cookies. They're fun for the kids to help make and decorate.
These tender and soft condensed milk cookies are decorated with a drizzle of frosting and dash of sprinkles. Go for Christmas themed sprinkles to make them perfect for your milk and cookies for Santa.
Switch up your cookies with these mild and sweet white chocolate chip cookies! They're perfect for a snow themed Christmas.
Add walnuts to give your chocolate chip cookies extra flavor and texture. These cookies are easy to make and a great twist on the classic cookie recipe.
Turn your cookies into s'mores with these tasty Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Cookies. Easy and sooo tasty. Santa will love them!
These lemony Anginetti (Italian Lemon Drop Cookies) are easy to make and full of bright flavors. You can switch up the sprinkles for festive coloured ones!
Cornstarch is the not-so-secret ingredient in these light and tender shortbread cookies. They turn them into a melting moment of cookie delight. Only the best for Santa!
A soft peanut butter cookie is coated in sugar and topped with a chocolate kiss! A modern, classic Christmas cookie.
Persimmon are a winter fruit, so make the most of them in these tender and tasty soft cookies.
These tender oatmeal cookies have chunks of chocolate and bursts of festive flavor from the dried cranberries (craisins).
French children leave carrots in their shoes for Santa to give to his reindeer and leave presents in return. Why not leave Santa these easy, flaky, French sable cookies this year?
Add a bit of zing this Christmas with these delicious lemon cookies with lemon glaze.
These Christmas Tree Meringue Lollipops are sweet, airy and easy to make!
Even Santa needs to get his five-a-day vegetables, so leave him these tasty, soft and tender Chocolate Oatmeal Zucchini cookies!
Enjoy the soft, fuss-free texture of these sugar cookies that require no chilling. Crafted with powdered sugar and accompanied by a straightforward sugar cookie icing recipe, these are top-choice cut-out sugar cookies! The kids will love decorating them for Santa!
These leaf-shaped maple cream cookies are delicious - Santa will love them!
These green Grinch cookies are actually very healthy! They're full of oats, raisins and... avocado! These are healthy cookies that everyone can enjoy.
Sweet potatoes make these cookies super tender and sweet. Add in chocolate chips and they are sure to be a hit this Christmas! They're easy to make and taste amazing.
Pumpkin makes these cookies lovely and wintery. Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies with Hazelnuts are soft, chewy, and full of great flavors and textures.
Discover the authentic Italian charm with this straightforward Pignoli Cookies recipe, showcasing the traditional method of crafting these delightful pine nut treats, which are soft inside and crispy outside.
These soft cake-like pumpkin cookies are covered in an icing drizzle to make them extra special!
Not technically cookies, but these little bites are full of flavor. Crumbled cookies, chocolate, spices and dried fruit all come together in this recipe.
Fill these tender and flaky Linzer cookies with your favorite jam - or even try it with Cranberry Compote.
You only need 5 ingredients for this popular Icelandic holiday treat. The cookies are filled with cornflakes, meringue and chocolate.
Santa will love these cute snowman cookies, and the kids will love decorating them!
Make Candy Cane Blossoms by adding Candy Cane Kisses to crinkle cookies! Super cute and perfect to leave out for Santa.
These beautiful stained glass cookies are a holiday classic - and for good reason! They are not only beautiful but are easy to make. Buttery sugar cookies with a candy center.
These classic cookies are meltingly tender, and coated in fun festive sprinkles and sugar.
Combine green and red m&ms, white chocolate and pretzels in these festive Kitchen Sink Cookies!
Holly
We used to do this all the time when my kids were small, but unfortunately, they are all grown and out of the house now. Someday we will continue the tradition with our grandchildren. In the meantime, those chocolate peppermint cookies look amazing! We will be making them for our own consumption this Christmas 🙂
Beth
Ho ho ho! I, I mean Santa, live for milk and cookies on Christmas Eve. There are so many delicious kinds here!
Kathleen
Wow! All of these cookies are so festive, fun and delicious. It's going to be hard to choose which one is best for Santa.
rebecca
yum! so many great cookie recipes! I particularly love those Christmas tree cookies with the adorable figurines!
Susannah
There are so many great ideas here. We usually leave snickerdoodles, but this year I'm going to try the 3D Christmas Tree Farm cookies. They're so cute!