Putting out milk and cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve is a ritual that few people forget from their youth. At our house, Mom let us help decorate Santa's favorite shortbread cookies with red and green cherries. And we secretly stayed awake as long as possible to listen for his reindeer on our roof.
It is believed that the tradition of leaving a snack for Santa started around the time of the Great Depression, when parents wanted to inspire their children to share with others in hard times. Offering milk and cookies to Santa does have a practical use as well. It may be the ultimate bargaining tool for kids to position themselves for better gifts the next morning, or get off the "naughty list" at the last minute!
A few examples of the snacks that Santa encounters around the world:
U.S. and Canada: milk and cookies and carrots for the reindeer
Britain & Australia: Santa is given sherry and mince pies
Sweden: children leave rice porridge for Santa
Ireland: it is popular to give Santa Guinness or milk, along with Christmas pudding or mince pies
Belgium: children believe Santa rides a horse, so they leave hay, carrots and water for the horse just outside the house
Denmark: children fill wooden shoes with hay for Santa's horses.
No matter what your family leaves for Santa, we hope all your holiday wishes come true. From our family to yours, we wish you a blessed Christmas and pray God's richest blessings on you in the coming year.
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