Cookies for Claus: The ultimate guide to sweeten Santa’s night

BY HELENA KNUTSON

Marketing Director

Baking warm cookies with family, pouring a glass of milk and writing a thank-you letter to Santa are Christmas traditions many kids fondly remember.

Giving cookies to Santa for Christmas has been a long-time tradition, with children all around the world providing an array of different cookies. But which cookie is the correct one to give to Santa?

To determine which cookie is best for Santa, I asked 30 students to share their opinions. But first, it’s important to know how the tradition first started.

The tradition is believed to have originated in the 1930s, during the Great Depression, when parents sought to teach their children the importance of giving back to others and expressing gratitude for the gifts they received.

Now, that tradition remains strong, with children setting out cookies and milk as a thank you to Santa, and in some cases, as a bribe.

When asking students about their memories of baking cookies for Santa, Kayci Beverly, a sophomore animal science major, recalls a family snickerdoodle recipe passed down to each member of the family to make for Santa.

“I would always make snickerdoodle cookies with my grandparents. That was their favorite thing. We figured if my grandparents like it, Santa likes it, too,” Beverly said. “Then it became a tradition in our family. We have a secret snickerdoodle recipe from Santa himself that’s ‘given by the elves.’ I've taught it to my brother for the last year, and whoever moves out next teaches it to the next person.”

I found that students have varying opinions on what cookies they feel are the best to give Santa.

Two students believe that M&M cookies are the best for Santa, while three students thought that snickerdoodles were the best.

Other students have unique answers like sugar cookies, pecan pie, crinkle cookies and thumbprint cookies.

Out of all the respondents, three thought store-bought cookies were the best; one of these students was Megan Farr, a freshman majoring in communication concentration science disorders.

“Store-bought cookies are just easier and take less time. It is much easier to just buy them than make them and purchase a bunch of ingredients,” Farr said.

Out of all the responses, the most popular, and the one believed to be the best cookie for Santa, was chocolate chip, with 14 responses.

Whether it’s chocolate chip cookies, snickerdoodles or even a slice of pecan pie, the tradition of leaving treats for Santa continues to be a cherished part of Christmas for kids and families alike. No matter the cookie, it’s the thought, the care and the joy of sharing that make this holiday custom so special.