You know the Christmas routine: Decorate the tree, wrap gifts and leave out treats for Santa on Christmas Eve.
But Why do we leave milk & cookies on Christmas eve?
Well, we wondered the same thing! So we decided to do a little research. Unfortunately, we could not find any one reason behind the tradition. We did, however, find several theories.
- According to one theory, the milk-cookies custom can be traced back to the 1930s, during the Great Depression. During that time of economic hardship, many parents tried to teach their children that it was important to give to others and to show gratitude for the gifts they received over the holiday.
- Leaving cookies and milk for Santa could be linked to Saint Nicholas. During the tradition feast of jolly old St. Nick, December 6th, children would leave food and drink for the saint and his attendants. These offerings would be exchanged for gifts overnight.
- Leaving cookies and milk for Santa could be directly related to the history of the Christmas tree. In Germany, the people would decorate what they called a paradise tree with apples, wafers and cookies. This German tradition would merge with Christianity and become the basis for our modern Christmas tree. And Santa would often snack on the delicious decorations. Over time, while Christmas tree decorations changed, the idea of leaving snacks for Santa stuck around.
- Leaving cookies and milk for Santa could be linked to Norse mythology. People would leave hay and treats for Odin’s eight legged horse Sleipner in hopes the god would stop by their home during his Yule hunting adventures. This tradition was handed down to Dutch children who would leave treats out for Father Christmas’ horse.
- Leaving cookies and milk for Santa could be linked to the Great Depression. During this time, it is believed that parents wanted to inspire their children to share with others. To help them do this, they would leave snacks out for Santa Claus and his reindeer.
These are just a few of the many theories behind one of our favorite holiday traditions.
The custom eventually stuck, serving as an inspiration to countries across the globe who embraced their own versions of the popular Christmas tradition. The milk-and-cookies tradition evolved to be a last-minute bribe kids could give Santa to ensure they’d get what they wanted from him.
Just Imagine millions of children around the world leave out cookies, Santa theoretically consumes around a billion calories in cookies alone.
Good thing Santa climbs chimneys to burn some of it off.Tags: ChristmasChristmas Traditionhistorical Christmas traditionMilk and Cookiespopular Christmas traditionSanta & Cookies
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