In the United States, Santa is known for his penchant for cookies, so children across the country leave him cookies by the baker's dozen along with a nice glass of milk to wash it down. This ritual of leaving out cookies and milk for Santa (and sometimes carrots for his reindeer,) has become a tradition in the U.S., but it's not the standard worldwide. Here's a guide to Santa's buffet as he travels across the globe.

Australia

Santa starts his Christmas Eve journey with a nice cold beer, courtesy of little kids in Australia. They may also leave some cookies and milk and even a few carrots for the reindeer. But the beer comes first — maybe it's to keep Santa warm on the long night ahead.

Sweden

After that beer and his long flight, Santa — or Tomte, a mythological creature from Scandinavian folklore traditionally associated with the winter season — might be feeling a little tired. Fortunately, the good children of Sweden leave out a cup of coffee to keep him awake for the rest of his journey.

Denmark

The next stop on Santa's buffet is Denmark, where he can find a bowl of risengrod, or rice pudding, waiting for him on Christmas Eve. According to Denmark lore, the magical elves, Nisser and Tomte, will cause mischief if the bowl of risengrod is missing.

The Netherlands

The horses benefit from this gift. At this point, the guy in the red suit has had a few treats, so it's OK. (Photo: Suzanne Tucker/Shutterstock)

The children in the Netherlands leave gifts for Sinterklaas' horse rather than the big man himself. Kids leave carrots, hay, and water and in exchange are given marzipan, chocolate coins, hot cocoa and mandarin oranges.

Germany

By now, Santa and his steed have had enough to eat and drink, but he does take time to read the personalized letters that children leave out for Christkind, the German's nickname for him. In the morning, German children wake up to find that their letters are gone and presents have been left in their place.

France

In France, children leave out carrots for the reindeer and biscuits for Santa or Père Noël as he is known here. Some children leave these treats in their shoes and in the morning the treats are gone and their shoes have been filled with small toys and trinkets.

United Kingdom

Mincemeat pie — filled with dried fruits and spices — is a tasty British tradition. (Photo: Sven Hansche/Shutterstock)

By the time Santa gets to the U.K., he's ready for a proper meal. Fortunately, the kids here leave him mince pie — filled with dried fruit or the more ancient tradition of meat pies. The children also leave him a nip of sherry to chill his weary bones.

Ireland

This might be the stop that Santa Claus looks forward to most of all. In Ireland, the children treat him to a pint of Guinness and maybe another mince pie or two. Now Jolly Old St.Nick is ready for his leap over the Atlantic.

Argentina

Kids in Argentina spoil Santa's reindeer after their long flight from Europe, leaving them hay and water to sustain them through the rest of the night.

Chile

In Chile, children leave pan de pascua for Viejo Pascuero, or Old Man Christmas. This special treat is a spongy, rich cake flavored with rum and filled with dried fruits and nuts.

United States

Kids in the U.S. treat Santa to a buffet of cookies and milk as he heads across the country delivering his goods. The traditional treat is gingerbread, but sugar cookies, chocolate chip, and macaroons work just as well. And many kids remember Santa's reindeer, leaving carrots and oats for them too.