What makes Christmas in Wisconsin tick? These 9 traditions elicit warm nostalgia on cold nights — but that might just be the brandy
The way we celebrate the holiday season here in Wisconsin is recognizable to a lot of people: lights, gifts, time with loved ones and plenty of good food.
However, like the Green Bay Packers organization, the word "bubbler" or how we make Old Fashioneds, there are a few things that Wisconsinites do differently.
Whether you prefer treats, tinsel or toasts, Wisconsin has a number of unique holiday traditions.
Kringle
When many people think of things unique to Wisconsin, kringle — a flaky, oval-shaped Danish pastry — frequently comes to mind, to the point where the treat was named Wisconsin's Official State Pastry in 2013 and one from Uncle Mike's Bake Shoppe in De Pere was named the "Coolest Thing Made In Wisconsin" in 2018's Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce contest of the same name.
Though kringles have been part of Wisconsin life for decades, recent years have cemented its reputation as an essential part of holiday brunches. Why is that?
One possibility is "the ability to deliver it directly to family and friends' doorsteps," according to Marie Heyer, Director of Marketing at Racine Kringle. Here's another: "Kringle happens to be the perfect fit for sharing," said Matt Horton, Vice President of Ecommerce and Marketing at O & H Danish Bakery. "It's pretty easy to have a conversation, grab a slice of kringle and then come back and do it all over again a few minutes later."
Regardless of the reason, many of us can't imagine the holidays without it.
More: Kringle maker O&H Danish Bakery adds a new store, keeps the family tradition
Aluminum Christmas trees
These sparkling artificial trees were first mass-produced under the Evergleam brand in 1959 at Aluminum Specialty in Manitowoc. Though the Space Age trees fell out of favor by the end of the '60s — and production ended formally in 1971 — they've enjoyed a revival in recent years. You can buy reproductions in big-box stores, and vintage trees regularly sell for hundreds of dollars.
Downtown Manitowoc pays tribute to this part of the city's history with an annual event called "Evergleams on Eighth." From Thanksgiving to New Year's, nearly 40 styles, sizes and colors of vintage aluminum Christmas trees will be on display this year in storefront windows in Manitowoc.
The largest display will be at the Manitowoc Public Library, 707 Quay St., Manitowoc. To learn more about this holiday event, visit evergleams.org.
More:Manitowoc's aluminum Christmas tree display brings sparkle to season amid COVID-19
Stollen
This yeast bread is an annual holiday tradition in its home country of Germany. While it comes in many varieties, most recipes use the same basic ingredients: candied and dried fruits, nuts, and spices. Additionally, the finished bread is covered with butter and powdered sugar.
German immigrants brought this tradition with them to Wisconsin, and it took hold. Whether your stollen uses candied citrus peel instead of green cherries, or adds marzipan, or loads the bread with nuts, you can find it at holiday brunch tables across the state.
If you're short on time to make your own stollen, you can find it for sale this time of year in specialty bakeries, such as Olde World Pastries Plus in Green Bay, Johnston's Bakery in Sheboygan, Peter Sciortino Bakery in Milwaukee, and New Glarus Bakery in New Glarus. Several grocery store chains, such as Sendik's and Aldi, also have stollen for sale in some locations. You may want to call ahead or order online to ensure that you can pick up yours.
More: Christmas means stollen time in Wisconsin. Find out where to get the German holiday treat.
Brandy slush
The origins of brandy slush are unknown, but it's yet more evidence that Wisconsinites love their brandy. This uniquely Wisconsin cocktail is popular around the holidays, partly because it's a simple, crowd-pleasing treat.
According to Daniel Higgins of the Appleton Post-Crescent, here's what the taste of brandy slush is like: "Think sugared brandy with a lemon-orange kiss...In terms of sweetness, texture and calories, think of the brandy slush as you would an ice cream dessert drink."
Whether you use a dash of bitters, skip the tea, or add a couple ounces of triple sec, the basic ingredients for brandy slush are the same across recipes: water, sugar, orange and lemon juice concentrate, lemon-lime soda, and your favorite brandy (skip the brandy for a kid-friendly version). Freezing the concoction inside an old ice-cream bucket is optional, but highly recommended for added nostalgia.
More: Brandy slush is the sangria of Wisconsin and you betcha we'll serve it at winter holidays
We Energies Cookie Book
Over the past 93 years, We Energies has come out with over 50 editions of its Cookie Book and has distributed free copies since the early 2000s. The Cookie Book began as a way to demonstrate and sell newly electrified ovens, but the tradition persisted even after the company moved from selling appliances to providing power.
"For many of our customers...getting the Cookie Book kicks off their holiday season," said We Energies' senior communication specialist Amy Jahns. She also stated that putting together the Cookie Book takes an entire year, and a dedicated group of employees tests every recipe before it's included.
This year's Cookie Book features recipes submitted by veterans and active-duty members of the military. While We Energies has finished distributing the book's physical copies for this year, you can download a free electronic copy of the Cookie Book at we-energies.com/recipes.
Tom and Jerry
The Tom and Jerry's name doesn't come from the cartoon — the drink's history goes back to the mid-1800s, when it was likely invented as a promotional drink for a then-popular play. Ever since, Tom and Jerrys have become part of the holidays in many Wisconsin homes.
On the surface, this holiday cocktail seems like just another kind of eggnog, with its heavy emphasis on eggs, spices and alcohol. There are, however, a few important differences. A Tom and Jerry is served hot, and the egg whites are beaten several times throughout the process of making the batter, making the drink's texture light and fluffy.
Otherwise, if you're short on time, pre-mixed Tom and Jerry batter is available this time of year in many grocery stores. Just add hot water, rum, and brandy; for a non-alcoholic drink, you can use warm milk or tea instead.
More: What is a Tom and Jerry, and why does Wisconsin love and make this unique winter cocktail?
St. Nick's Day
St. Nick's Day, also called Saint Nicholas Day, is commonly celebrated in Europe and in communities with a strong German background. Even though St. Nick's Day isn't as well-known as Christmas, many Wisconsin residents, especially Milwaukeeans, celebrate the holiday as part of their roots.
Traditionally, on the evening of Dec. 5, children leave out stockings and wooden shoes, and Saint Nicholas is said to visit and leave small gifts behind, such as coins, fruit, candy and small toys.
Why has the tradition persisted? Amy Schwabe of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes, "My own kids see the festivities of St. Nick's as a great way to temper the long wait for Christmas Eve."
Other parents tell their kids that St. Nick's Day is Santa Claus practicing for his Christmas Eve visit, or they instead focus on the historical St. Nicholas as "kind of like the Robin Hood of saints," according to Wauwatosa resident Jess Koerner.
More: In Milwaukee, St. Nick leaves keepsake ornaments, writes letters and even visits schools
Cheese balls
Cheese balls have had moments of retro revival across the country. Part of their renewed appeal might be their simple assembly. Or how cheese balls seem to go perfectly with charcuterie boards. Or possibly just that they're another excuse to eat cheese.
Trends come and go, but cheese balls have been a staple of Wisconsin holiday tables for decades. As our state's collective love affair with cheese is the stuff of legend, this shouldn't be any surprise.
To create a cheese ball for your next party, you can find many recipes online. During this time of year, pre-made cheese balls are also available at many grocery stores across the state.
More: Those cheese spreads on your holiday tray? They likely come from this Wisconsin maker.
More: Recipe: The "Party Magnet" cheese ball.
Cannibal sandwiches
Otherwise known as tiger meat or steak tartare, these sandwiches, served at many Wisconsin holiday parties, consist of raw beef with onions and salt and pepper, served on rye bread. Some will even crack a raw egg on top.
No one is entirely sure where this food came from, but it may be another nod to the Germans who settled in Wisconsin nearly two centuries ago. In fact, Germans have a similar recipe to cannibal sandwiches: mettbröchen, which is made from raw minced pork and served with onions on a bread roll.
Regardless of what you call cannibal sandwiches, the Wisconsin Department of Health now has an annual holiday tradition of advising against eating them. According to their website, the dish has been responsible for eight reported outbreaks of food poisoning in Wisconsin since 1986.
However, cannibal sandwich fans on social media poo-pooed the image of pale ground beef that the DHS tweeted out with their warning last year. Even though eating raw meat always poses a risk, people who partake in this tradition usually get high-quality ground beef from a butcher they trust.
If you want to try making cannibal sandwiches with as little risk as possible, Wisconsin Public Radio has advice from Dr. Zorba Paster: "Aim for the leanest cut of beef you can get, let your butcher know you’re using the meat for cannibal sandwiches and ask for it to be freshly ground with a clean grinder...Eat the meat the same day you buy it, and preferably before the end of the party."
More: Wausau deli owner appears on 'The Daily Show' touting cannibal sandwiches
More: Here are 10 holiday dishes that are popular in Wisconsin, from kringle to venison sausage
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune: Wisconsin holiday traditions: Cannibal sandwiches and aluminum trees