Why do we give cookies and milk for Santa?
Every country and household has its own unique Christmas Eve traditions, yet one custom, especially popular among children in the United States and many other places, is leaving out a plate of cookies (often Oreos or chocolate chip) and a glass of milk for Santa Claus.
While some find this tradition endearing, others might see it as a bit unusual.
However, this practice has deep historical roots, and its story is as heartwarming as the gesture itself. It is said that Saint Nicholas, a third-century bishop known for his generosity towards children and the less fortunate, is at the origin of this tradition.
The Dutch, honoring his kindness, would hold a grand feast on December 6. Since young children couldn’t stay up for the festivities, they would leave out treats for Saint Nick and his attendants, who were likely tired from traveling, and in return, they would wake to discover that their kindness was rewarded with gifts.
Over time, countries around the world developed their own interpretations of this tradition. In Britain and Australia, children typically leave out sherry and mince pies.
Swedish kids leave rice porridge, while in France, children set out a glass of wine and fill their shoes with hay, carrots, and treats for Saint Nicholas’s donkey.
German children skip the treats and instead leave handwritten letters for the Christkind, the symbolic figure who brings gifts.
In Argentina, kids leave hay and water for Santa’s reindeer, and in Denmark, rice pudding is left for Santa’s elves as a peace offering to keep them from causing mischief.
It’s truly fascinating to see how a single tradition has evolved into so many unique expressions of holiday cheer, reflecting each culture’s own take on the spirit of giving and celebration.
Milk and cookies for Santa Claus plate set
Traditions hold a special place in our hearts, especially during the holidays, and your family’s Christmas Eve traditions are no exception.
These cherished moments create memories that your children will carry with them forever and, in time, pass down to their own families.
Simple, fun Christmas traditions—like singing carols, playing holiday board games, baking treats together, and more—can add so much joy to the season!
And, in keeping with the baking spirit, why not make and leave a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for Santa this Christmas Eve?
If you want to inspire even more creativity in your kids, here are the 20 best plate set ideas for Santa’s treats! These options are perfect for adding a personal, festive touch to the classic tradition.
20. Soft Cherry Chocolate Chip Shorbread Cookies Recipe for Christmas Eve
These soft shortbread cookies with cherries and chocolate chips are sure to become one of your holiday favorites! If you’re looking to add a special touch to your Christmas cookie plates, these delightful cookies are perfect for you and Santa!
19. Santa’s Cookies – Classic Christmas Treat
Santa’s Cookies are a holiday essential! These soft, chewy cookies are packed with two kinds of chocolate chips, Christmas M&Ms, brown sugar, and butter. Sweet, festive, and totally classic, they’re perfect for leaving out for Santa on Christmas Eve!
18. Santa’s Boozy Milk & Cookies for Christmas Holiday
Give Santa a little treat with a twist this Christmas—Santa’s Boozy Milk & Cookies! Courtesy of Vance’s Bakery Bar, this 21-and-over version is so delicious, you might be tempted to toast Santa yourself when the presents are all delivered!
17. Leave Santa Milk & Cookies!
Kids everywhere love leaving milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve! Make it extra fun by letting them write their wish lists on festive sugar cookies.
With a spot for a straw, Santa will get a kick out of reading the lists and finding out who’s been naughty or nice! HO HO HO!
16. Santa’s Milk and Cookies Ice Cream – Easy Christmas Desserts
Santa’s Milk and Cookies Ice Cream captures the nostalgic flavors of childhood in a festive frozen treat! This simple, no-churn ice cream makes a perfect Christmas dessert and is an easy addition to your holiday sweets.
15. Cookies with Santa – Christmas Tradition
Bring Santa to life with these adorable sugar cookie cutouts! Frosted with homemade buttercream and topped with red sugar for Santa’s hat, these cookies make the jolliest holiday treat.
Leaving cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve is a cherished tradition, and these are sure to bring extra joy to the holiday.
14. Easy Santa Gift Cookies
These cookies are a showstopper for your holiday cookie tray and make an ideal gift for any Santa enthusiast on your list! With a festive design, they’ll be the highlight of your holiday baking.
13.
These Chocolate-Dipped Hazelnut Biscotti are packed with flavor, thanks to hazelnut liqueur and toasted hazelnuts! I’ll also be sharing the true meaning of “biscotti” along with step-by-step photos to guide you through making these holiday favorites.
12. Delicious Little Double Chocolate Kiss Cookies
My grandma was the “Cookie Queen” of our family. Whenever we visited, her house was stocked with cookies, especially during Christmas. Each year, she’d give us a tin filled with an assortment of holiday cookies—sometimes 10 or 12 varieties!
She must have baked for weeks to share these treats with us. These Double Chocolate Kiss Cookies are just one of the delicious recipes that made her Christmas tins unforgettable.
11.
I’m on a roll with Christmas posts, creating and sharing festive treats one after another—and loving every minute! These low-sugar Reindeer Cookies are a fun holiday treat with a twist: they’re made with chia seeds for a wholesome, festive snack.
10. Peppermint Hot Fudge Thumbprints with Crushed Candy Canes
Calling all chocolate lovers—this is the cookie for you! These buttery chocolate thumbprint cookies are filled with peppermint-infused hot fudge and topped with crushed candy canes, making them a decadent and minty holiday treat.
9.
I’m always on the hunt for the perfect holiday sugar cookie recipe, especially one that’s crispy around the edges with a soft center. These Candy Cane Amish Sugar Cookies are tender, delicate, and one of my all-time favorites for gifting!
8. Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies with Soft Centers and Crispy Edges
These Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies are packed with milk, white, and semi-sweet chocolate chips, giving them a rich, chocolatey flavor. They’re thick, chewy, and have that perfect combination of soft, gooey centers and crispy edges.
7. Christmas Lights Cookies with Vanilla and Lemon Juice
These Christmas Lights Cookies are as fun to make as they are to eat! Decorated with royal icing and mini M&Ms to resemble colorful Christmas lights, they’re flavored with vanilla and a hint of lemon juice for a festive twist.
6.
These carrot bliss balls are a healthy holiday treat I originally created a couple of years ago when my blog was brand new and my kids were little. Perfectly sized for tiny hands, these wholesome bites are a great way to celebrate the season!
5.
These adorable snowman-shaped Vegan Meringue Cookies are the perfect sweet, crisp, and airy treat for your next winter gathering. They’re light, delicious, and sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike!
4. Try Nice & Festive White Cake Mix Cookies with Chocolate Chips
Last holiday season was a whirlwind, and I didn’t have much time to bake. That’s when these Easy White Cake Mix Cookies saved the day!
Made with both chocolate and white chocolate chips and a festive touch of red and green food coloring, these cookies brought a cheerful vibe to our holiday cookie plate.
3. Bake Chocolate Peppermint Cookies!
Get ready for a festive treat with these Chocolate Peppermint Cookies! These chewy chocolate cookies are filled with a luscious mint chocolate ganache and topped with a sprinkle of crushed candy canes for a holiday twist.
2.
Chocolate Peppermint Blossoms are packed with rich chocolate and peppermint flavors and topped with a Candy Cane Hershey’s Kiss. These cookies are a dream come true for mint and chocolate lovers—perfect for the holiday season!
1. Soft and Chewy Candy Cane Cookies
If you love white chocolate and peppermint, these Candy Cane Cookies are a must! Soft, chewy, and filled with the flavors of chocolate and crushed candy cane, these cookies will be your new holiday favorite. Each bite is a delightful mix of peppermint and chocolatey goodness!
Milk and Cookies for Santa - 20 Best Ideas of a Plate set for Santa
Discover the heartwarming tradition of leaving cookies and milk for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve. Learn how this festive custom delights children and celebrates the joy of giving.
Ingredients
- Soft Cherry Chocolate Chip Shorbread Cookies Recipe
- Santa’s Cookies
- Santa's Boozy Milk & Cookies
- Santa Milk & Cookies
- Milk and Cookies Ice Cream
- Santa Gift Cookies
- 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.