Santas From Around The World: Greenland: Juulimaaq (Advent 2020, Day 18)

Kids need to stop trying to stay up late to see Santa. According to the people of Greenland, all you have to do to meet the real St. Nick is to travel to the small village of Sragle Bay near Uummannaq. 

It is there that Santa lives in his workshop and some very lucky children get to visit him and his elves there every year! Well, actually, it turns out that elves are invisible to non-magical children. But you can still arrange to be some of the few who get to see the Santa of Greenland, known as Juulimaaq in his home on Ice Street.

Juulmaaq looks exactly as he’s depicted in American and British culture. The red suit, white trim to match his snowy white beard and black boots. Only, with Juulmaaq, this flair is all about the glitter. It is said that every inch of Santa’s suit (and beard too!) glitters with fairy dust!

With Juulmaaq being the one true Santa, he makes his regular deliveries every year with one special difference. Every Christmas Eve, Juulmaaq rides inside of an Air Greenland helicopter and heads over to Queen Ingrid’s Hospital in Nuuk to deliver toys to the children who can’t come home for Christmas. (Remember how the children of Colombia think that Baby Jesus flies in a helicopter. Maybe Juulimaaq uses the same one!!) 

After the toys are all doled out, Juulimaaq takes off for his annual trip around the globe.

Oh and for those of you wondering. Juulimaaq does utilize the North Pole. That’s where his toy warehouse is located.

Chocolate Malt Ball Cookies

 Servings 16 cookies

 Author Rachel Conners

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter cubed

• 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

• 1/3 cup sugar

• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar

• 1 egg lightly beaten

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup malted milk powder

• 2 tablespoons baking cocoa

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

• 1 cup malt balls gently crushed

Instructions

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and chocolate. Stir until completely smooth. Cool for 5 minutes. Whisk in the sugars, egg and vanilla.

2. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, malted milk powder, cocoa, baking powder and salt. Add to chocolate mixture and mix until combined. Stir in milk chocolate chips and malt balls. Use a medium-sized cookie scoop to form 16 cookies.

3. Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes or until set. Cool for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.