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Yearly Quest

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For decades, American children have been leaving out cookies and milk for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, but few people know how and when the holiday tradition began. 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. The custom eventually stuck, serving as an inspiration to countries across the globe who embraced their own versions of the popular Christmas tradition. (nypost.com/2020/)

Santa, on his yearly quest, Found cookies, always the best. With milk on the side, He’d take it in stride, A well-deserved snack, no jest.

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Bill Baker

Date: 12/23/2023 4:18:00 PM

Good tradition, fun Limerick to read. Thanks, Bill

Jerry Brotherton

Date: 12/15/2023 4:18:00 AM

Interesting bit of information you've given us, Sara. I just assumed it was a father's way of telling their children, "I had to stay up until 3 in the morning putting together this stupid bicycle, I need a snack." Your limerick is top-notch, my friend.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/15/2023 4:43:00 PM

thanks for your visit and for your comments and your cleverness. Your words made me smile. Thanks for your always supportive and kind words, Sara

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/15/2023 4:41:00 PM

thanks for your visit and for your comments and your cleverness. Your words made me smile. Thanks for your always supportive and kind words, Sara

Valsa George

Date: 12/15/2023 1:26:00 AM

You have thrown light on an age old tradition and made us understand the logic behind the practice. The attitude of sharing our gifts and thanking for the blessings received is so praise worthy and should be emulated. Well written dear Sara. The limerick at the end is an icing on the cake.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/15/2023 4:42:00 PM

thank you, sweet Valsa, for your visit and for your wonderful comments. I'm glad you received some interesting information...I agree the practice of giving should be emulated all year long. Glad you liked the Limerick, too. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas, hugs, Sara

Gershon Wolf

Date: 12/14/2023 6:03:00 PM

I'll take two --- candy canes, please. Uh, er, you see, ahem, my barber shop is out of poles. (Can't use Russians in my neck of the woods)... You know, Sara, I think I need a new writing staff. My current team is cracking up, instead of cracking us up! Stay tuned...

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/15/2023 4:44:00 PM

you cracked me up, Gershon...or maybe I'm cracking up from all the holiday baking and snacking on the 'goodies.' Me thinks I've made too much again. Watch out for Russians! smiles, Sara

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 12/14/2023 3:54:00 PM

How sweet. Thanks as well for the historical context. Merry Christmas.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/14/2023 4:40:00 PM

thanks for your kind words and your visit, Richard. Have a pleasant evening, Sara

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/14/2023 1:34:00 PM

Though my family never did it. This is so cute.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/14/2023 4:41:00 PM

thank you, Andrea! Merry Christmas to you and yours, Sara

Sotto Poet

Date: 12/14/2023 9:51:00 AM

This fact is indeed intriguing and previously unbeknownst to me. I relish the emergence of your pedagogical inclinations... Furthermore, your limerick possesses a remarkable fluidity in both its meter and rhyme scheme, dear Sara.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/14/2023 4:43:00 PM

I'm delighted that my poem and its historical context gave you some new information! I'm grateful you found my limerick fluid. I thought of you and what you said earlier about Limericks.. Thank you...Wishing you a pleasant evening, your poetess friend in Texas, Sara

Jay Narain

Date: 12/14/2023 9:19:00 AM

Nice Limerick. Santa loves cookies.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/14/2023 4:42:00 PM

thanks, Jay. Yes Santa loves cookies as does my hubby this time of year. Sugar overload :-) smiles, Sara

Heidi Sands

Date: 12/14/2023 8:37:00 AM

Interesting Sara. Very sweet Limerick too . I enjoyed this :)

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/14/2023 4:44:00 PM

thanks for your visit, Heidi, and for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed it...have a great evening, Sara

Ink Empress

Date: 12/14/2023 8:24:00 AM

This is so cute your limerick, a form I’ve never tried and can never really do. I love the information that you’ve shared in your notes. Its always good to learn about traditions: christmas is a beautiful time really, people give and is a time to show love and positivity. But also i know so many that feel so very lonely too during festive seasons, when loved ones are nowhere near. I love your rhymes and flow of your limerick. Pleasure always reading your work. Sending you light always

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/14/2023 4:46:00 PM

thank you, kind Ink, for stopping by. I'm glad you enjoyed the Limerick...I'm not really a 'limerick kind of gal.' I'm not good at them either. Hubby inspires me so I give one a whirl now and then. I agree with you. The holidays are sad for some people with no loved ones around. My heart goes out to them. Have a great evening...Merry Christmas, hugs, Sara

Silent One

Date: 12/14/2023 8:13:00 AM

That is an interesting fact and I did not know that.. Love it when your teacher side comes out.... Good limerick also it really flows and rhymes well my friend..

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/14/2023 4:48:00 PM

thank you, Silent One, for finding my 'Milk and Cookies' narrative interesting. True, the teacher in me still comes out from time to time. smiles :-) Also thank you for your kind comments about my Limerick...I'm not naturally a Limerick kind of gal. Have a great evening, Sara

Tom Cunningham

Date: 12/14/2023 7:39:00 AM

Interesting fact Sara, it explains Santa's large waistline. That said I think cookies are everyone's downfall. Lol Tom

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/14/2023 4:50:00 PM

Thanks for your visit and for your witty comment. Cookies are my downfall too.... :-) smiles, Sara

Hiya Sharma

Date: 12/14/2023 6:14:00 AM

Awwn this is a lovely limerick poem, also, I didn't know about this beautiful custom on the Christmas Eve. It's definitely heartwarming to know.. You've very well captured the essence here and it looks very cute to read as well. Beautifully done dear Sara - sending love & light always :)

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 12/14/2023 4:51:00 PM

thank you, sweet Hiya, for your beautiful comments. I'm glad my poem shared some information with you and that you enjoyed the Limerick itself. I'm not normally a Limerick kind of gal so I'm most grateful your found my Limerick enjoyable. Have a splendid evening, Sara