What is the story behind Christmas cookies?

This tradition started in the 1700s, when German settlers in Pennsylvania brought over the traditional unleavened, easy-to-store treat from Europe. Pliable sugar cookie dough is easy to roll and cut into shapes, which adds to its popularity at Christmastime today.

How did cookies become a part of Christmas?

At a time when most families were not that well off, people started making cookies and sweets as a way to share gifts during the medieval Christmas season. Christmas in many cultures was a time of visiting friends and family. Since it was cold outside and the ground was hard and frozen solid, farming was not an option.

What was the first cookie associated with Christmas?

Lebkuchen (gingerbread) was probably the first cake/cookie to be traditionally related with Christmas. Cookies spread all over Europe by 1500.

When did Christmas cookies become popular?

Modern Christmas Cookies When the Great Depression of the 1930s ended, buttery, sugary cookies took America by storm. It was about this time that Great Grandma Irene Grebe began baking and selling her famous butterhorns. In 1941, when we moved into our first commercial bakery, cookies were on the menu.

Who Invented Christmas cookies?

The earliest examples of Christmas cookies in the United States were brought by the Dutch in the early 17th century. Due to a wide range of cheap imported products from Germany between 1871 and 1906 following a change to importation laws, cookie cutters became available in American markets.

Where did the tradition of leaving cookies for Santa begin?

Some also believe that leaving milk and cookies for Santa Claus originated as an American holiday tradition in the 1930s, during the Great Depression. During that time of economic hardship, parents tried to teach their children to give to others and to show gratitude for the gifts they received at Christmastime.

Why do we put milk and cookies out for Santa?

Why do people set out cookies and milk for Santa?

The act of leaving a treat out for Santa was born during the Great Depression as a lesson from parents to children on giving. Leaving cookies and milk for Santa also doubled as a sign of appreciation and show of gratitude for the gifts the children received even while America was going through economic hardship.

Who started the tradition of leaving cookies for Santa?

Who started the idea of giving milk and cookies to Santa?

This tradition was handed down to Dutch children who would leave treats out for Father Christmas’ horse. Leaving cookies and milk for Santa could be linked to the Great Depression. During this time, it is believed that parents wanted to inspire their children to share with others.

Why are cookies left for Santa?

“The leaving of cookies for Santa or St. Nicholas is a tradition that started during the Feast of St. Nicholas that the Dutch held each year,” said Smith. “They would bring cookies to honor the saint, and to give travelers a snack for when they arrived from all over the country to praise the saint.”

Who started the tradition of leaving milk and cookies for Santa?

According to one theory, the milk-cookies custom can be traced back to the 1930s, during the Great Depression. During that time of economic hardship, many parents tried to teach their children that it was important to give to others and to show gratitude for the gifts they received over the holiday.

Why do kids leave cookies out for Santa?

Who started cookies for Santa?

Going Dutch But we can thank the Dutch, along with other northern Europeans, for inventing cookies and bringing them to America. Gingerbread made with honey and black pepper appeared as early as the 13th century in the Netherlands.

Why do we leave cookies out for Santa?

Who invented cookies?

The first cookies are thought to be test cakes bakers used to test the oven temperature. They date back as early as 7th Century A.D. Persia which is now Iran. They were one of the first countries to grow and harvest sugar cane.