What Santa Really Wants: Snacks and Drinks To Leave Out This Christmas

Plant protein is all the rage right now and these gluten-free, non-GMO baked veggie crisps are a great source of just that! This delightful flavor has a hint of sweetness with just a bit of a kick. You may want to set out a bag or two — once you start, these are hard to stop eating. 

If Santa has a sweet tooth, SmartSweets is the way to go. This company has innovated the delicious candy you know and love with up to 92% less sugar than traditional candy. SmartSweets’ pinky promise is delicious candy with no artificial sweeteners, added sugars, or sugar alcohols. Santa is sure to love their take on Gummy Bears, Peach Rings, Sourmelon Bites, and more!

If you're one for tradition (cookies and Santa go together like peanut butter and jelly, after all), these are the ones to leave out. Made with premium, clean ingredients and ready in just three simple steps, they’re the perfect treat for Santa (and his helpers) without the hassle of baking from scratch. Founded by a single mom and former KIND Snacks exec, Lindsay Hancock, simplifies baking with her simple premium, clean cookie mixes in flavors like Double Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix, Chocolate Chunk Cookie Mix, Celebration Cookie Mix and Classic Sugar Cookie Mix. 

Pretzels are an ideal snack for Santa on Christmas Eve — it's the busiest night of the year, after all! These bite-sized pretzel sticks were made for grab and go. They come in a ton of delicious flavors and this six-pack makes the perfect thing to crunch on for the proprietor of presents. 

If a hot snack is what you'd like to leave out, this sampler set from Porto's Bakery has something for every taste! We're talking Potato Ball®, classic Chicken Empanada, and savory Meat pies all in one irresistible selection. These arrive frozen and are ready to bake for Christmas Eve! 

Modballs are a healthier alternative to sugar-laden protein bars, which makes them the perfect snack for the protein-focused Santa. They come in two flavors: Almond Coconut Chocolate ModBalls and Peanut Butter Chocolate. These poppable snacks feature the most nutrient-dense food on Earth and they taste like an absolute treat. 

Leave out something savory for Santa to balance out all of the sweets! Huli Huli Jerky is a collaboration between Kiki Aranita, acclaimed chef and founder of Poi Dog Sauces, and Marcos Espinoza, founder of Side Project Jerky, a Philadelphia-based maker of chef-created gluten-free jerky inspired by global cuisine. An homage to Aranita's upbringing in Hawai'i, this chicken jerky made with Poi Dog Huli Sauce is the perfect snack to fuel Santa's Christmas Eve adventures. 

Caroline’s Cakes is a beloved nationwide mail-order cake and cake bite company, and an easy no-hassle option to impress guests (or Santa!) this holiday season. Perfect for Santa, Caroline's Cake Bites are not only deliciously addictive dollar-sized sweet treats, but they also come conveniently packaged in a gift box. This best-seller this time of year featuring mini sized cakes including 12 Red Velvet, 12 Peppermint, 12 Pumpkin and 12 Caramel Cake Bites.

The most festive drink that's good for the gut! As Poppi says, "it's time to love soda again," and Santa will do just that when he sips this seasonal delight. It has the perfect amount of sweetness without any of the junk traditional soda comes with. With 5 grams of sugar or less and at under 25 calories, Santa's gut (and waistline) will thank you. 

If Santa prefers something a bit stronger than milk on Christmas Eve, this tasting box is just the thing! It comes with five sample sizes of varying Cristalino tequila (crystal clear and similar to a blanco) and mezcal, plus a decorative coaster and tasting notes to make an entire experience out of setting the gifts up under the tree for the Big Guy (or Gal). Patron makes a stellar Cristalino Tequila too — you know, if you just wanted to put the bottle out.  

Blume is the better-for-you superfood latte and with flavors like Mint Cocoa, Gingerbread, and Nut Nog, Santa will be sipping the night away! Leave a glass of this out for Santa to experience all of the benefits of superfoods in this low-sugar, low-caffeine alternative to the classic latte. 

If you know Santa to be an iced-coffee lover, this oat cold foam creamer makes the perfect topping! It's perfect for hot or cold beverages and has a hint of vanilla that adds a velvety texture to any drink. Whether it's a hot cocoa, gingerbread latte, or eggnog, froth this up for 30 seconds and top Santa's favorite beverage for a barista-level drink. 

Doesn't this just sound so refreshing?! Rockaway is a better-for-you soda from two-time beverage entrepreneur and Rockaway Beach native, Bridget Firtle. It's a soda is for those in pursuit of balance who work hard, live hard, and want to stay healthy. Crafted with real fruit juice, a can only has seven grams of organic cane sugar and a kiss of sea salt. There are four unique flavors to choose from: Berry Hibiscus, Lemon Lemongrass, Watermelon Guava and Pineapple Ginger.

If you know Santa to be more of a wine lover, The Federalist Wines are handcrafted in a small-batch, boutique production process. This brings out the boldest and brightest flavors! A new Oak regiment has been implemented to improve overall mouthfeel and smoothness, and the brand’s best In class bourbon barrel aged portfolio results in longer aging and higher quality overall.

If Santa's not big on the sauce, Mockly has a New Orleans-inspired canned mocktail that emulates the fun and flavor of a delicious cocktail without the booze. Crafted by renowned mixologist Jesse Carr, these unique beverages don't try to mimic a booze-free version of a cocktail, but instead create a whole new tasting experience with real, quality ingredients. Choose from Love Bite, Baron Von Blue, Eye Opener, or a Party Pack at Amazon! 

Santa might need a little espresso boost on Christmas Eve. MOTH (Mix of Total Happiness) has a pre-made, canned espresso martini that'll hit the spot! Made with Wood Brothers Vodka, coffee liqueur, and cold brew, this sipper is smooth, bitter, and balanced. MOTH drinks promise bar-strength perfection in every can and are made using award-winning craft spirits. Enjoyed straight from the can, these spirit-based canned cocktails are sure to put anyone on Santa's nice list.

PWR LIFT is like a traditional sports drink, only better. Keep Santa fueled through his long night with this protein-infused water with 10g of protein, 650mg of electrolytes, and zero sugar with a delicious fruit flavor. 

KEY is a 100% natural, zero-sugar energy drink that is free of stimulants, and crafted without artificial ingredients. Unlike most energy drinks on the market, it's a mindful energy choice! Each sip delivers long-lasting energy and focus without the crash. So not to worry Santa, with a can of KEY you can deliver all those toys to kids this year.