Why do we give Santa cookies and milk?
All countries and family households have their own unique Christmas Eve traditions. But a common tradition, especially for the children, in the United States and other several countries is leaving out a plate of cookies (usually Oreos or a classic chocolate chip) and a glass of milk for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Now, some may find this tradition very endearing, while some may find it weird and confusing. But this tradition goes all the way back and its history is as quite as sweet as the gesture. It is said that the Saint who is most often associated with Christmas, Nicholas was a third-century bishop known for being particularly generous to children and the downtrodden. The Dutch would hold a grand feast in his honor on December 6. Unable to stay up for the celebration, children would leave out treats for Saint Nick and other attendants who were surely weary after traveling a great distance to be there, awaking to discover their kindness had been exchanged for presents in the night.
And over the years, different countries have developed their own versions of this tradition. For the British and Australians, children usually leave out sherry and mince pies. Swedish kids leave rice porridge. French children leave out a glass of wine and fill their shoes with hay, carrots, and other treats for his donkey. In Germany, children skip the snacks altogether and instead, leave a handwritten letter for the Christkind, a symbolic representation of the Christmas spirit who is responsible for bringing presents on Christmas. Argentinian children leave hay and water for his reindeer, and in Denmark, rice pudding is left for Santa’s elves to appease them into not causing mischief throughout the night.
It’s amazing to see how one tradition can be transformed into several unique ways to express each country’s holiday spirit.
Milk and cookies for Santa plate set
Traditions are important, and this includes your family’s Christmas Eve tradition because it will a memory that your children will not forget and will eventually be passed on to their own families in the future. Some common and simple Christmas traditions you can do is playing Christmas carols, playing Christmas board games and activities, Christmas baking, and more! And in the spirit of baking, why not make and leave cookies and a glass of milk for Santa this Christmas Eve?
If you want to further challenge your kids to be creative this Christmas, then here are the 15 best ideas of plate sets for Santa!
15.
These Chocolate-Dipped Hazelnut Biscotti get their flavor from hazelnut liqueur & toasted hazelnuts! Plus, I’m sharing the real definition of “biscotti” and some step-by-step photos to make them.
Check it here.
14. Double Chocolate Kiss Cookies
My Grandma was our family’s Cookie Queen. It didn’t matter when you showed up, there were always cookies at her house. But she really got serious about cookie making for Christmas. Every year, we’d all receive a Christmas tin filled with cookies – often 10 or 12 different kinds. She must have baked for weeks.
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13. Low Sugar Reindeer Cookies
I am on a Christmas post rampage, knocking them out left right and center and thoroughly enjoying myself in the process.
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12. Peppermint Hot Fudge Thumbprints
Hello chocolate lover. Meet your new favorite cookie. Buttery chocolate thumbprint cookies filled with a dollop of peppermint spiked hot fudge and a sprinkling of crushed candy canes.
Check it here.
11.
I’m always in search of a new holiday sugar cookie recipe. Especially a delicate, tender sugar cookie that’s crispy around the edges and soft in the middle. This candy cane Amish sugar cookie recipe is one of my all-time favorites.
Check it here.
10. Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies
These are simply the best Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies. Studded with milk chocolate, white chocolate, and semi sweet chips, these cookies are thick and chewy with soft, gooey centers.
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9. Christmas Lights Cookies
Christmas Lights Cookies with a small batch of royal icing and mini M&Ms as Christmas Lights.
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8. Carrot Bliss Balls – Energy Bites For Kids
These carrot bliss balls started as a wee flurry of healthy Christmas treats I created a couple of years ago when my blog was still very new and all my kiddos were very small.
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7. Berry Baked Alaska Cookies
These Berry Baked Alaska Cookies are a simple twist on the great northern classic. Forest berry-stuffed ice cream sitting atop cranberry shortbread cookies, coated in toasted meringue…could it get any better?
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6.
These snowman-shaped Vegan Meringue Cookies will be a hit at your next wintertime gathering. They are sweet, crisp, airy and completely adorable!
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5. Easy White Cake Mix Cookies with Chocolate Chips
Last years holiday season was a blur, so there wasn’t much time for baking so I mixed up these Easy White Cake Mix Cookies with chocolate and white chocolate chips. I added red and green food coloring to the cake mix cookie batter, and they really made our cookie plate look nice & festive.
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4. Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
These chocolate peppermint cookies are a fun, festive bake! Chewy chocolate cookies filled with a rich mint chocolate ganache and sprinkled with crushed candy canes.
Check it here.
3.
Chocolate Peppermint Blossom Cookies are loaded with rich chocolate and peppermint and topped with a Candy Cane-flavored Hershey’s Kiss. The perfect holiday cookies for mint (and chocolate) lovers everywhere!
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2. Santa’s Milk And Cookies Latte + Sugar Cookie Recipe
Treat Santa to his very own Santa’s Milk and Cookies Latte, paired with a buttery snowflake cookie perfect for dipping. No milk frother needed, this delicious sugar cookie flavored latte and snowflake cookies make the perfect holiday treat duo.
Check it here.
1. Candy Cane Cookies
If you love the combination of white chocolate and peppermint, then these candy cane cookies will be your new favorite holiday cookie! Soft and chewy, you’ll adore the flavor of chocolate mingled with crushed candy cane that you’ll get with every delicious bite.
Check it here.
Milk and Cookies for Santa - 15 Best Ideas of a Plate set for Santa
All countries and family households have their own unique Christmas Eve traditions. But a common tradition, especially for the children, in the United States and other several countries is leaving out a plate of cookies (usually Oreos or a classic chocolate chip) and a glass of milk for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
Ingredients
- Chocolate-Dipped Hazelnut Biscotti
- Double Chocolate Kiss Cookies
- Low Sugar Reindeer Cookies
- Peppermint Hot Fudge Thumbprints
Instructions
- Choose any Milk and Cookies for Santa from the post that you like
- Click on the link below the photo to get the full recipes and instructions.
- Try the best Milk and Cookies for Santa and share your photo under my pin on Pinterest!
I share healthy recipes, clean eating ideas, and meal plans for weight loss, as well as give you the best tips on wellness, pregnancy, and parenting advice.