Why We Leave Cookies for Santa: and Other Christmas Food Traditions

Mrs Carol Claus: Hello everybody.

. My dears and darlings.

It's Mrs. Claus.

Well, Carol, to you all, and Rudolph.

We are here today at Family Tree Food and Stories.

Just taking a little break or giving a little break to Nancy and Sylvia so they

can enjoy the holidays with their family, and we can be with you to tell you about

the taste of Christmas around the world.

Yeah, well, you know, you said I was a co-host, I believe.

so that's fine.

But could be possibly a future, uh, main host.

You know, you wanna see some of my fan mail?

You take a look.

Girly.

Mrs Carol Claus: sweetheart, the only thing that's glowing brighter

than your nose is your ego right now.

So just pipe it down a little bit, really.

No way Girly.

Mrs Carol Claus: but for all of you here we are talking global Christmas foods.

What Santa gets, what we sample on the sleigh and all the

different and delicious traditions

we adore

Mrs Carol Claus: around the world because, you know, everybody's got to eat.

And by the way, just so that you know, I do work hard during the year to oversee

you, Mr. Rudolph and the other reindeers.

Okay.

Stop with the whining and the, alright.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Well, we do need those elves to make the toys along the way.

And the cookies, my Lord.

Cookies galore.

They just never stop.

I would be nowhere.

I'd be a cookie.

Hell.

Oh, sorry about that.

If it weren't for snickerdoodle, my cookie crumble expert,

thankfully.

Hmm.

I've gotten some messages from Snicker Doodle

Mrs Carol Claus: Yeah.

apparently that kitchen isn't as cool as you think it is.

Mrs Carol Claus: Rudolph.

I am going to put something evil in your porage time, but honestly I do

have to give it to you because you do guide the sleigh and keep those

rowdy reindeer somewhat under control.

but just a few of us know just how much I'd enjoy hiding out in the

sleigh and flying all around the world just to see an extra glimpse.

But I kind of sneak in there every now and then.

Yeah.

Well here we are together.

Let's have some fun.

And just gimme some of the respect I deserve.

Mrs Carol Claus: Oh,

Rudolph.

Pity party.

Pity party.

Oh, you think that you're such a hot, well, I won't go there.

See my red hot nose,

Mrs Carol Claus: Yeah, red is about what it is.

Hot.

Maybe not, but let's get on with the trip, shall we?

Okay, let's do it.

Let's do it.

, What are you having today?

You go first.

Mrs Carol Claus: Well, I think we have to start with Mexico because families down

there, they leave some pretty special treats for you and Santa called Bunelos.

I think I'm pronouncing that right.

If not, you know, it's.

The North Pole pronunciation, and they are those crispy little

gusty cinnamon sugar things.

Have you had their, they're like long fingers, delicious

little children's fingers.

Now I'm sounding like a witch, but

Yeah, I'm taking notes by the way.

Mrs Carol Claus: Oh, please.

Well, you know the thing about those, oh, they're good.

Okay.

I get it.

But I always seem to get the crumbs and I do deserve better,

as do my fellow reindeers.

. We might get a union thing going on here.

there's some shakeup that needs to be done in the North Pole

Mrs Carol Claus: Well wait a second, Rudolph.

, You have to keep your hips under control because you have to get up off the ground.

And if there's too much of those things like German Lupkins and little

honey molded gingerbreads that are so delicious, then you are not flying.

And that's not good for the kids around the world.

Well, I'll tell you what's good for me.

Australia leaves out cold beer.

Mrs Carol Claus: No.

What a thing.

Mrs Carol Claus: You might lose your way around the world in that case, or

the Philippines, the Punto Bung Bong.

There's those beautiful little rice cakes again, it is the North Pro pronunciation,

and I'm not Spanish or filipion, but I do try because I am Mrs. Claus.

Uh, yeah, right.

We got that.

Okay, Mrs. You know the gold cold beer?

That's a good thing.

'cause, Santa does share that cold beer with us, huh?

Mrs Carol Claus: I'm gonna tell on him, I'm gonna put him in

Santa jail if he's not careful,

you better watch it, You just remember who's got hook.

Mrs Carol Claus: Well, I have the paddle, so there it goes, the paddle to put

the cookies in and out of the oven.

So just be careful.

But speaking of beer, thankfully there is a feisty mom in Peoria,

Illinois who likes to put out wine.

And since I'm kind of sometimes stashing in the back of the sleigh,

I really like this Karen lady thing.

You know, she's, she's a good girl for all times sake.

Yeah.

Well it's five o'clock somewhere, right?

Mrs Carol Claus: Well, we gotta make sure that we are landing somewhere

close, around five o'clock for sure, because she wins in my,

well, in my naughty and good list.

Yeah.

How about Japan though?

We gotta get there fast.

'cause I like what they're serving.

Mrs Carol Claus: Fried chicken.

Mm. It's finger licking good, ain't it?

For sure.

Uh.

You know, , fried chicken is a delicacy in Japan at Christmas time, and it was a huge

marketing campaign by that Rascal, the Colonel at KFC, Kentucky Fried Chicken.

He was pretty cool,

Mrs Carol Claus: Well, I think he was trying to be a stand in

for Santa because he wore a white

suit and he did have a mustache and a goatee, not the

full lovely beer that Santa

has, and he somehow.

Snuck in strawberry Christmas cakes into Japan as well.

How dare he get into my cooking gig

Yeah, well I think you ought to take this up with the

Japanese, 'cause apparently that is a delicacy on Christmas Day.

And it, grew out of the war, the World War ii.

Remember that we were there, right.

Mrs Carol Claus: Yeah.

How can I forget?

Yes.

Terrible, terrible times

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah.

But strawberry Christmas cake, it's not so simple.

You know?

I couldn't help, I wanted to look it up 'cause I really want some

of this, but it's sponge cake reminds me of our angel food cake.

with whipped cream and strawberries in.

It came about in the wartime because Japan was defeated of course, and had

to build themselves back up in red and white as there were flag colors.

So cool.

Patriotic thing going on there,

Mrs Carol Claus: KFC finger looking good.

I think I'm turning Japanese.

I'm turning Japanese.

I think there's a song in there somewhere like that.

But , I am kind of old and crusty, so I'm not as hip, but I do try.

I

do try.

Hey baby.

Keep to the kitchen.

Okay.

Mrs Carol Claus: The cool things will happen in the barn, I

Uh uh, that's right.

That don't get too big for your britches.

Mrs Carol Claus: No, that's Santa's job.

He has to get big for his purchase.

But anyway, milk and cookies.

Uh, how did we get there?

Those were quite a thing,

yeah.

And how did that happen?

That's kind of interesting.

Mrs Carol Claus: Well, , the milk and cookies happened during the

depression and you're such a goofball because don't you remember that time

Oh yeah, there was that first time we saw those cookies,

I remember we just went crazy.

And I think you maybe gave us a little No, we snuck and got 'em.

I think it was Santa.

Santa did it.

It wasn't you.

Mrs Carol Claus: no.

I would've kept your hips nice and trimmed so you could get up off the

ground and dance on the rooftops for sure.

Today there is still a tradition, which is really wonderful and we're so

fortunate to have all the gifts that we can get today and in, well in today's

day and age that, if we could go back to some of those old fashioned traditions

where once in a while cent and I can put some magic dust on those roofs and

down the chimneys to make sure that.

Things stay just magical the way they should.

And when mom and dad don't put out cookies for us, And well

occasionally we like to do our little mischievous deeds as well

Yeah.

You know, in that magic dust, it's still out there.

We'd still use it.

People don't even know do they?

Mrs Carol Claus: No, they don't know.

A little magic dust goes a long way.

Ho, ho, ho.

Oh, wait a second.

That Santos line.

Uhhuh Uhhuh.

Don't you cross that line?

Okay.

Mrs Carol Claus: Well, before we get crossing lines or, or jumping poles

or whatever that might be, let's just take a quick break and tell

everybody about the special gifts that Nancy and Sylvie have created that

are wonderful to use all year round.

not just at the holidays, because you know what?

Every meal has a story and every story is a feast, even if it is a cookie.

Oh yes, let's go.

Let's do it.

. Mrs Carol Claus: So Rodolph, let's just jump right back into that sleigh

again and talk about Scotland because well, you know, those Scots put the

oatmeal in their little Sporran Bag.

You know, I call it that thing that sort of covers the, the family jewels,

Oh, Mrs. Claus.

Mrs Carol Claus: Yeah, I know.

I kind of rock at times.

A little, a little dancing risque

Mrs.

Mrs Carol Claus: That nose does heat up a little too fast sometimes, I think.

But in the Scottish area, we have haggis cookies, which kind kind of interesting.

Well, okay, but you ate the sugar cookies as I recall, and the

reindeers got the haggis cookies.

Do you care to explain what those are my dear?

Mrs Carol Claus: Well, I do not because I'll just stick to the sugar cookies, the

Hagas cookies, they're all yours, darling.

That's what I figured.

Mrs Carol Claus: But let me tell you who's really in charge of what the

crew eats and yes, you just heard that Rudolph got the haggis cookies not moi.

that's French for me.

Yes, we do get to France too, but the inquiring minds Do want to know

really who runs the North Pole?

So yes, as I said, please, let's be clear.

Rudolph, you are not in charge, darling.

Yes, but my dear, I do provide that moral compass.

I know it was wrong to give us those haggis cookies.

I know it was wrong.

and I'm gonna tell Santa on you and.

Mrs Carol Claus: no,

Talking about the family jewels.

Listen to you.

and I add the possess.

No one has a red nose like mine.

Mrs Carol Claus: No, except for Santa.

After he is had, some of, Nancy's husband's Santa Secret flying Sauce,

Well, we'll

talk about that later.

Mrs Carol Claus: Yes.

Yes.

That recipe's in a previous show, so Oh, dears really sparkle in red noses.

They just sometimes get to be a thing this time of year, don't they?

Oh yeah.

, Let's talk reindeer cuisine.

my fans wanna know what do I eat when I'm on the road besides haggis cookies?

Mrs Carol Claus: Well, you might eat a McDonald's burger along the

way, but I think you're vegetarian.

So, you might, sneak a pickle off of Santa's.

Sandwich here and there, but let's see what you do eat.

hmm.

Let me, go around the kitchen here.

Just gimme a second.

, Let me ruffle up some things.

What's going on?

Yeah, I am kind of hungry by the

Mrs Carol Claus: Okay.

Okay.

Just like pipe down.

Pipe down.

Rudolph.

Just wait a second.

Mrs Carol Claus: You are getting this year a little bit of oats.

We talked about oats before, again, in the oatmeal show we talked about oats.

You have a little molasses for just a little sweet treat, dried cranberries.

Those are one of my favorites too.

So I might sneak a few off the top of your meal and a bit of candy Ginger.

So that is what you're getting this year.

So healthy.

Oh, let's sneak a little more beer in there.

Okay.

I am gonna lobby for that.

I'm unionizing this crew if you don't feed us just a little bit better.

I understand about the hip argument.

Okay, I get it.

But, you're not like petite yourself, , and you got all that

kitchen work you have to do and you gotta kind of stay like with it, now.

I'll tell you what Mr. Claus does for me.

I just wanna stand up and declare that I do get my peppermint infused carrots..

A little bit of fun, a little bit of serious food, even when you complain

about how expensive that food is, that's so necessary to keep this thing shining,

this nose that I have and I'm so proud of.

It's called Prestige and Leadership.

Yay.

Mrs Carol Claus: Now Rudolph, don't expect your name in Lights on Broadway

because they dim it for Christmas Eve so that all the crew can go home.

The cast and characters.

And by the way, I think Wicked might be thinking that your nose is

a little too bright on Broadway but anyway, for that glow maintenance,

yes, it is extremely expensive.

But we had the elves to take care of too, and , there were a lot of them.

Mostly they survive on marshmallows, cocoa, and fudge.

But they do have one big feast a year, and that's on December 23rd

where they have a big cocoa roast.

Just as we're packing the toys into the sleigh the night before, you gotta

make sure they have a little bit of fun in merriment before the takeoff.

Kind of like rocket launch.

I'm thinking Elon Musk, right?

Yeah, you know what Elon tried to talk me into going and taking

my reindeers and leaving y'all and heading for Mars on that spaceship

he has, because He says there's something about we know how to fly.

He's trying to figure it out.

Right.

'cause he had a couple of explosions or something like that.

But I told him no.

I said my loyalty is to Mr. And Mrs. Claus.

So you owe me

Mrs Carol Claus: Okay.

All right.

Maybe I will put a little extra beer in your

mash tonight, but

I think Elon Musk is gonna go on the naughty list as we have

162 elves bubbling around a vat of molten chocolate and dipping.

Anything that they can hold into their hands into it, you know, you gotta watch

out for Clarice because she might get dipped into the chocolate next as well.

As occasionally a bicycle wheel or two that.

Accidentally gets mistaken for, oh, a pretzel.

I will taste totally done and include me in the party next time.

. I'm holding some threats over your head, so just, just remember.

. I've got some, arson in my arsenal.

I've

Mrs Carol Claus: You've got a few, Yes, for sure.

I'll try and keep you off the naughty list this year, Rudolph, really?

You are, are a little mischievous at this time of year and oh, sometimes I

have to put up with that nonsense really.

But let's talk about some myths about the holiday times that, you and others

might not necessarily know about, but I think, you know, a few myths as well

Do we sneak food into Santa's pockets?

Mrs Carol Claus: Well, yes, occasionally I do.

I'll sneak a ginger snap and, oh, wait a second.

The ginger snaps.

We talked about that with Magdalena ginger snaps and a little blue cheese

and maybe a little bit of port wine just to make sure they're extra good and.

in his coat.

He has some caramels along in his gloves and occasionally a

surprise fudge cube in his boot.

But that makes sure it's nice and soft.

How about do you ever put any kisses in his pockets?

Mrs Carol Claus: Oh,

don't make me blush.

Don't make me blush.

Oh my God.

Hey, I'd like a few of those 'cause I got a girlfriend

going on in this, reindeer bunch.

Okay.

Mrs Carol Claus: Oh,

Aw.

Mrs Carol Claus: Rudolph, you're a swinger.

Ho.

Ho,

I am,

although they say not to date, anybody that's employed So I guess

I gotta be careful about this,

Mrs Carol Claus: Well, I don't wanna fire her either, so please be careful

about your, antics on the side.

But, you know, travel insurance, we have to worry about that too

because occasionally a sleigh gets stuck on a roof and.

We gotta put an extra little burning fire under your butt or out your butt.

So maybe I should put some onions in your mash to make sure we

get a little extra poof going there for burning those calories.

Because , Santa does burn a lot of calories like a

hummingbird on an espresso drip.

Oh,

Mrs Carol Claus: Really?

Yes,

clever.

You're

pretty clever girl.

Yeah.

you know that, that stuff about me crashing and burning and,

all of that kind of stuff.

let's just remember that I got some things on you too.

Okay.

We

Mrs Carol Claus: Well, I was just saying the onions, so you can have extra

little gas to go up when you need to.

All right.

All right.

let me ask the next question, Ms. Claus.

Uh.

Rudolph trying out for the host position.

Okay.

Fans.

Fans.

Right in.

Okay.

I wanna hear from

Mrs Carol Claus: Oh, please, Rudolph, speak up a little louder so we

yeah.

Oh, no, no, no.

That's okay.

That's okay.

Uh, Mrs. Claus, what happens when parents eat the cookies before Santa arrives?

What happens there?

Mrs Carol Claus: Well, honestly, we need the parents to have the

children, so, we don't punish them.

But Santa does respond oh and makes sure that they know their place.

oh, you're a weenie.

. So just saying, go ahead.

Say, what do you do?

Mrs Carol Claus: well, here's what we do.

We leave handfuls of glitter in the air vents where it appears throughout the

year, just to let them know who's been there and that there's a little bit of

extra magic in the air that they might not know about around this time of year.

So that's what that is.

When I was growing up and I was a little reindeer and one day I want

you to tell me how you found me.

Okay?

But that's for another show.

But.

it's slow sparkling justice.

Mrs Carol Claus: It is beautiful though.

Now Rudolph, you have to admit, and I know you wanna be in charge, but food is my

domain, so I have to be the one to make the suggestions of the dirty dastardly

glitter deed.

Oh, okay.

can I at least close the show

Mrs Carol Claus: If you must, you are a co-host today, but I am the star, but

I'll let you go.

So let's take it from here,

I, I gotten it.

You're pretty good with this.

but you've been at it for a long, long time.

Mrs. Claus.

I'm just a young pup b and I just wanna spread joy everywhere.

And I have an enormous fan base.

And

people wanna pet me and all that kind of stuff.

And all of that is good, but , I'll give you your due.

You're pretty good at this.

Mrs Carol Claus: Thank you.

Thank you.

So may I take it forward?

Oh yes, you have permission.

Mrs Carol Claus: So as we close out this show, Nancy and Sylvia are off

enjoying the holidays, and we want to take this time to thank you for helping

them and for being there for them and listening to the show throughout the year.

Because we do, don't

Hmm.

We do, we love it.

So yeah, stay tuned.

, Mrs Carol Claus: and , we want you to keep your kitchens warm, your

traditions close, and your cookies even closer, wherever Santa can

reach them, because every meal has a story and every story is a feast.

And stay tuned because there's a lot more in store in 2026.

Ho, ho, ho.

From Mrs. Claus and Rudolph to you and your family.

A merry Christmas

And a

tip of the antlers to

Mrs Carol Claus: Yes, and from the tip of the antlers to the tip of

his nose and the top of my heart.

Merry Christmas to you all and to all a good night.

Bye-bye.

bye.