10 snacks children around the world leave for Santa (2024)

FAQs

10 snacks children around the world leave for Santa? ›

Children in the United States bake cookies for Santa and leave them out with a glass of milk on Christmas Eve. Some kids even leave carrots for Santa's reindeer. In other parts of the world, however, Santa's beverages are a bit harder.

Children in the United States bake cookies for Santa and leave them out with a glass of milk on Christmas Eve. Some kids even leave carrots for Santa's reindeer. In other parts of the world, however, Santa's beverages are a bit harder.

While milk and cookies are considered the norm in the US, around the world, kids are leaving Santa anything from beer to rice pudding. In Iceland, children believe that there are 13 completely different Santa-like figures who visit throughout December, which results in very different treats all month long.

Traditionally, snacks are left out for Father Christmas and his reindeer on Christmas Eve to help keep their strength up as they deliver all the presents to children around the world in one night. In the UK, we often leave out mince pies, a carrot for the reindeer and a little sherry to help Santa on his merry way.

Japan. Christmas is considered a romantic holiday by the Japanese. Santa-san gets no particular treats, but if he's lucky he might get to sample some of the food and drink that the Japanese like to celebrate Christmas with – KFC and a special edition version of Pepsi that tastes of strawberry cake.

American boys and girls leave milk and cookies for Santa Claus, like our Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies. Knit stockings are hung on the fireplace for Santa to stuff with small gifts—or coal for the naughty children—before he ascends back up the chimney.

Chinese children don't normally leave out cookies and milk for Santa or write a letter detailing their wish list of toys. Colorful, cellophane-wrapped 'Christmas apples' are a popular gift. The word “apple” apparently sounds like “peace” or “Christmas eve” in Mandarin.

In Hamburg and throughout Germany, children leave their shoes near the fireplace or front door on the night of 5 December. The next morning, they should find that their footwear has been filled overnight with small presents and treats by Nikolaus.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, coal was commonly burned to heat homes, so when Santa Claus came to visit, it was convenient to grab a lump to leave for children on his "naughty" list. Of course, Santa would never give children lumps of coal for Christmas... unless they asked for it!

Santa Claus, Daidí na Nollag (Daddy of Christmas), is known in Ireland as Santy or Santa. He brings presents to children in Ireland, which are opened on Christmas morning. It is traditional to leave a mince pie and a bottle / glass of Guinness for Santa along with a carrot for Rudolph.

What is Santa's Favourite snack? ›

Now that you know Santa's favorite food is cookies, make him one !

Many families have different festive favourites that they like to leave out for Father Christmas. In the UK, some popular options are mince pies, brandy, a glass of milk, cookies, candy canes and even a carrot for Rudolph to munch on. Across the pond in the US, popular cookie options are chocolate chip and gingerbread.

There are slight variations in each family but Santa usually gets a glass of milk, beer or whisky and then biscuits to munch on. Rudolph and his pals are given the healthy option of carrots but the new trend of lighting their way with 'reindeer food' laced with glitter adds the taste of oats and magic into their diet.

And many other countries have their own special treats to leave for Santa and whatever animal pulls his sleigh. Children in the United Kingdom leave the holiday-favorite mince pie, Swedish kids leave a special Christmas-time rice porridge, and in Germany, the gift is instead a letter to Santa.

Children don't traditionally leave food out for Christmas Baba in India, but they do make Christmas treats called kulkuls, which are sweet balls of fried dough made from coconut milk.

Sherry and Mince Pie (United Kingdom)

In the United Kingdom and Australia, children leave out mince pie and sherry for Father Christmas. Mince pie is a fruit-based pie, where small chunks of dried fruit are cooked in a beef suet, and then added to the pie crust.

Santa loves his white milk and cookies, but after stopping at every child's home, give Santa Claus some flavored milk for a tasty surprise. Or switch out the milk for some holiday eggnog! Put your own twist on holiday traditions this year with your family.