What to Leave for Santa in New England
From Maine to Connecticut, here’s a collection of New England state-specific cookie alternatives for what to leave Santa this year.
By Aimee Tucker|Dec 20 2021|
Coffee By Design | Portland, Maine
Photo Credit : Katherine KeenanBefore bed on Christmas Eve, it is customary to set out a plate of provisions for the man of the hour — the red-suited gift bearer known as Santa Claus. Cookies and milk are the traditional treat because it’s a widely accepted fact that Santa likes (and maybe even loves) cookies, but let’s say for a moment that Santa’s tired of chocolate chip. What if you were to leave St. Nick a locally inspired snack instead? Here are some non-cookie alternative suggestions for what to leave for Santa in New England, state by state!
Santa’s Favorite New England Treats, State-By-State
MAINE
In Maine, we bet Santa would love a big old chocolate whoopie pie, brimming with cream filling. While we’re sure he’d also love a glass of Moxie, milk seems a wiser choice for washing down all of those chocolate crumbs.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
VERMONT
In Vermont, Santa might be craving something savory and hope for a plate of sharp cheddar cheese served with crisp crackers and a bottle (just one, Santa) of local hard cider or craft beer.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
NEW HAMPSHIRE
In New Hampshire, Santa might start sniffing the air for the smell of maple syrup. Leave him a few maple sugar candies he can tuck into his pocket for later in the trip when someone leaves him a treat he’s not especially fond of.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
MASSACHUSETTS
In Massachusetts (since we’re skipping the Toll House Cookies in this non-cookie experiment) it’s peanut butter and marshmallow Fluff Santa needs to try. Fluff was invented in Somerville, MA and we know Santa loves anything sweet. Make him a Fluffernutter sandwich before sending him on his way.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
RHODE ISLAND
In Rhode Island, what else could Santa hope for than a plate of johnnycakes (thick or thin – we’re sure he likes them both) made from local whitecap cornmeal and and followed by an ice-cold glass of coffee milk?
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
CONNECTICUT
And finally, on his way out of New England, we’re sure that Santa would love if his friends in Connecticut left him a glass of eggnog, that beloved Christmas classic, topped with whipped cream and a generous shake of fresh grated nutmeg. Connecticut is, after all, nicknamed “The Nutmeg State.”
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
No matter what you choose to leave Santa, no doubt he appreciates the treat and (fingers crossed!) leaves something for you in return!
What does your family leave for Santa? Happy holidays and Merry Christmas!
This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated.
SEE MORE:
75 Classic New England Foods
15 Classic New England Christmas Cookie Recipes
Best 5 Unusual Places to See Santa in New England
Nice one, Aimee!
Love every single State’s Menu! Perfect for Santa.
Fluff was “invented ” in Lynn, Ma by two men from Swampscott, Ma.
What about Toll House cookies – first baked in Whitmen, Mass.? Or maybe Fig Newtons, also from Massachusetts.
An appropriate choice, but these are non-cookie recipes.
Hello M! With this list I was looking to think beyond the classic “cookies for Santa,” but you’re right — those are both excellent local sweet treats!
sure sign of the season ? the old norelco commercial with santa sleeding down the hill on the shaver !
HA! Love it! I will out myself: Fluffernutter sandwiches were a childhood favorite 🙂
Yes, ‘fluffer nutter’ guy was honired at his prep school for his contribution of Fluffernutter to the community at large.
I say go savory for Santa and leave him some Rhode island clam chowder and clam cakes to go with a coffee cabinet.
Great idea, Dawn! That’s a New England meal we can all support! 🙂
The coffee syrup trend seems to really be taking off in MA thanks to RI. Can anyone recommend a good website for recipes? TY !
Happy Holidays. Clever article, Amy.
Cookies and beer so he’ll come to your house first next year.
Loved this article. I grew up in Lowell, MA and was surprised you left the drink of Moxie for Santa in another state when it originated in Lowell. I go along with the eggnog, which is my favorite Christmas drink! And toll house cookies (from MA) are the cookies to leave for Santa. Toll house cookies and eggnog sounds just yummy to me! I think Santa will come to NJ for these!!
Bette Davis, the greatest actress…evah, was from Lowell
FLUFFERNUTTER!!!!!!!
Can’t lose with a combo of salty & sweet.
I was born and still live in Lynn, Mass. where Marshmallow Fluff was made. Glad to see that we are leaving it for Santa!!!!!! The media often seems biased against Lynn, but many good things came out of this city situated on a beautiful stretch of coastline.
Grew up in Lynn, MA and now living in Seattle…still love the Fluffernutter sandwich.
I love whoopie pies and Moxie … and I was born in Maine so very appropriate for Santa. I may have to eat what he leaves behind!
I’m from MA but I’d go with a CT style hot buttered lobster roll over everything else!
Being from Mass., I hope they also used Teddy Peanut Butter in the Fluff a nutter.
I was born and raised in MA. I still live here. I
I was born and raised in MA. I still live here. I don’t like fluffernutters. Never did.
Be sure to not use any wooden nutmeg. This nickname was given to Connecticut “because its early inhabitants had the reputation of being so ingenious and shrewd that they were able to make and sell wooden nutmegs.”