Why Do We Leave "Milk and Cookies" for Santa? A Short History from Myth to the Great Depression
The glass and small plate by the bedside have a long story
On Christmas Eve, leaving milk and cookies by the bedside (or by the fireplace) is a familiar scene from movies and picture books. This tradition, in fact, was born from the intertwining of ancient folklore and modern life. Tracing its origins, we find it leads back to Odin in Norse mythology and Sinterklaas in the Netherlands, and in America, it became widely established in homes against the backdrop of the Great Depression in the 1930s.
A small timeline: Mythology → Europe → America
- Ancient Norse Yule (Winter Solstice Festival): Children prepared food for Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse of the chief god Odin. It was believed that if Odin passed by, there would be a reward. This "hospitality → gift" pattern is the original form.
- Dutch Sinterklaas: Children placed their shoes by the fireplace and prepared carrots, hay, and water for the horse. The next morning, they would find sweets and small gifts (the "shoes + reward" pattern).
- Victorian England: The custom of offering mince pies and sherry to Father Christmas spread (later, the drinks diversified in various countries).
- 1930s America (Great Depression): The custom of leaving milk and cookies for Santa rapidly spread in homes. The prevailing theory is that parents encouraged this practice as a way to teach children gratitude and sharing.
Why "by the bedside (or by the fireplace)"?
It was believed that Santa would visit through the chimney (fireplace). In Europe, there was a long-standing tradition of placing "offerings" in shoes or by the fireplace, while in America, the style evolved to placing milk and cookies in bedrooms or near the Christmas tree. The re-enactment of gratitude and hospitality towards the gift-giver continues to this day.
"Santa's Midnight Snack" Varies by Country
- UK / Australia: Mince pie + sherry.
- Ireland: In some regions, mince pie + Guinness (stout) is standard.
- Sweden: Rice pudding (porridge).
- Netherlands / Belgium: Carrots and hay for the horse in shoes (Sinterklaas).
- America: Milk + cookies (popularized in the 1930s).
"Milk & Cookies" A Deeper Dive (Trivia)
- In medieval Europe, monasteries and other institutions had a custom of sharing Christmas baked goods, which laid the foundation for "cookie culture." Later, this became associated with home-baked cookies.
- In America, family magazines and newspapers in the 1930s spread the image of "milk & cookies" and linked it to teaching children's etiquette and gratitude (reflecting the Great Depression era).
Summary: A gentle story on a small tray
The old pattern of "hospitality → reciprocity" has transformed into a family story of "gratitude → gifts," and it continues to live on in various countries. Tonight, if you place warm milk (or milk) and cookies by the bedside or near the tree, it would be wonderful to share the story behind it with your family.
