For decades, American children have been dropping cookies and milk for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, but few know how and when the holiday tradition began.
In a special Christmas episode of Fox Nation’s “At Home with Paula Dean,” the celebrity chef breaks the fascinating history behind the sweet tradition and how she inspires countries around the world in the new episode of “Cookie Cutter Christmas.”
“We can thank the Dutch, along with other Northern Europeans, for bringing cookies to America in the 17th century,” Dean said. “After the change in import law, cheap kitchen items like cookie cutters were finally allowed to be imported from Europe to the American market. From there, a set of new recipes began to appear and cookies and traditions that we know from the Middle Ages began to evolve.”
According to one theory, the custom of milk-cookies can be traced back to the 1930s, during the Great Depression. During that time of financial hardship, many parents tried to teach their children that it is important to give to others and show gratitude for the gifts they received during the holidays.
Excessive history of ugly Christmas sweaters
The custom eventually stalled and became an inspiration to countries around the world who embraced their own versions of the popular Christmas tradition.
British and Australian Australian children drop mince pies and street glass. Dean explains that the children in Denmark leave a bowl of rice cucumber, while the children in Ireland leave Santa a good old cup of Guinness, Dean explains.
“Hopefully one of Santa’s elves is leading the sling after that stuff.”
“In America, it is estimated that Santa eats more than 300 million cookies each year on Christmas Eve,” Dean said. “It’s no wonder he got a little punched.”
To watch the full episode of Paula Dean’s “Cookie Cutter Christmas” and for more exclusive holiday content, visit Fox Nation and join today.
Click here to join Fox Nation and get% 35% off Plus Hagseth’s new book ‘Modern Warriors’ with a free copy compared to the code on the plugin 35 35 OFF
Fox Nation programs can be viewed on demand and from your mobile device app, but only for Fox Nation subscribers. Visit Fox Nation to begin the free trial and see an extensive library of Tommy Lehren, Pete Hagseth, Abby Hornasek, Laura Ingraham, Einsley Erhart, Greg Gutfield and many more of your favorite Fox News celebrities.
