Milk & Cookies

An altruistic act of generosity for the overworked old elf in red who labors tirelessly up and down chimneys filling countless stockings with goodies? Or is it a blatant bribe in the hope of currying favor with the giver of gifts and thus earn more and better presents?

Leaving treats for Santa could be traced back centuries. Viking children would leave hay and apples for the god Odin and his eight-legged horse Sleipner at Yule time. In Germany, Christmas trees were decorated with fruit and cookies, which might tempt a hungry Santa to snack.