This is a collaborative post: The tradition of leaving treats for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve is a delightful and widespread custom observed in various parts of the world. While the core idea of offering a small gesture of appreciation for Santa as he goes about his deliveries is pretty consistent, I was intrigued to find out that the specific items left out for him to enjoy can vary significantly across cultures.
United Kingdom: Mince Pies and Sherry
Mince pies, filled with a mincemeat (a mixture of dried fruits and spices and definitely not actual meat), are a Christmas staple in here the UK and almost everyone agrees that you need to leave one out for Father Christmas on Christmas eve. However what you leave for him to wash it down with is up for debate.
Milk v sherry for Father Christmas is one of the big Christmas arguments plaguing modern day parents.
According to a study, 36% of brits are doing it wrong and leaving booze out for the big man in red. I would argue that it’s not wrong, it’s very right; I actually did a quick poll on Twitter of a similar number of people, and found exactly the opposite – that here in the United Kingdom, Santa is more often than not welcomed with a boozy offering. Instead of milk, it’s customary to leave out a glass of sherry along with mince pies and I will die on that hill.
The combination of the sweet, fruity pies and a sip of sherry provides a festive and comforting treat for Father Christmas. If you don’t happen to have sherry, a beer, glass of wine, whiskey, brandy or Bailey’s go down just as well so I hear.
Recommended Treats:
- Mince pies
- Sherry or brandy
- And don’t forget a carrot for Rudolf!
But what about other countries?
United States: Milk and Cookies
In the United States, the classic combination of milk and cookies takes centre stage as the preferred treat for Santa Claus. Families across the country leave out a plate of freshly baked cookies, often accompanied by a tall glass of milk. The tradition is deeply ingrained in American culture, with children eagerly participating in the ritual of preparing this special offering before bedtime on Christmas Eve.
Recommended Treats:
- Chocolate chip cookies
- Sugar cookies
- Gingerbread cookies
Australia: Beer and Mince Pies
In the Southern Hemisphere, where Christmas falls during the warmer months, Australian families often swap traditional hot beverages for a cold one. It’s not uncommon to find Santa greeted with a nice cold beer alongside a plate of mince pies. This adaptation reflects the Aussie spirit and the desire to offer refreshment suited to the climate.
Recommended Treats:
- Cold beer
- Mince pies
Sweden: Rice Pudding
In Sweden, the offering for Santa Claus diverges from the usual cookies and milk. Instead, families prepare rice pudding known as “risgrynsgröt.” It’s a creamy, spiced rice pudding often topped with cinnamon and sugar. The belief is that Santa enjoys this warm and hearty dish during his visit.
Recommended Treats:
- Risgrynsgröt (rice pudding)
- Cinnamon and sugar for topping
Netherlands: Carrots for the Reindeer
In the Netherlands, children not only leave treats for Sinterklaas (the Dutch version of Santa Claus) but also consider his loyal companions – the reindeer. Alongside the usual offerings of cookies and milk, Dutch children place carrots or hay in their shoes for Sinterklaas’s horse or reindeer.
Recommended Treats:
- Carrots or hay
Germany: Christstollen
In Germany, the tradition of offering a sweet treat to Santa takes the form of “Christstollen.” This fruitcake-like bread, filled with nuts, spices, and dried fruit, is a Christmas specialty. Families may slice a portion of Christstollen and leave it out for Santa Claus to enjoy.
Recommended Treats:
- Christstollen (fruitcake)
Japan: Christmas Cake
In Japan, Christmas is celebrated with a unique twist, and the treat left for Santa reflects this cultural difference. Japanese families often leave out a slice of Christmas cake, typically a sponge cake adorned with whipped cream and strawberries. This reflects the Western influence on Japanese Christmas traditions.
Recommended Treats:
- Christmas cake with whipped cream and strawberries
So there you have it; it doesn’t matter where you are, really, Santa has a sweet tooth. It’s probably sensible to book in a sweet treats delivery before the big day comes around!