Since the birth of Jesus Christ himself, Christmas has become a very important time of year with encompassed traditions that make the holiday what it is.

Many people certainly have Christmas traditions they value, maybe listening to their favorite Michael Bublé song or watching 50 hallmark movies that are so different, but also exactly the same, everyone has something that makes Christmas special to them. 

Most of these traditions are just universally loved, but one has been up for debate for decades now, and that is the presence of eggnog at Christmas time. 

Eggnog has been a part of Christmas traditions for centuries, and its exact origins are unknown. It is traced back to the 13th century, where it was commonly consumed by British aristocrats, and became very prominent in colonial America.  

The name comes from the old English word “nog” meaning a small cup. 

It was served warm, and consisted of eggs, milk, cream, and sugar. As it spread to other countries, adaptations were made to people’s likings, but the main premise remained unchanged for centuries, and is a staple in the American kitchen around Christmas time. 

Although some people argue against eggnog, there exists a group of avid pro-eggnog activists. 

Seniors Nick McCarry and Vinni Mina are Roncalli’s local eggnog connoisseurs and did not hesitate to give their opinions on the festive drink. 

“I love the creaminess of the drink,” McCarry said. 

“I can’t imagine Christmas without eggnog by the fire and your dog laying on the ground. I’ve had a whole mini carton before, and I’ve seen spiked eggnog at Costco that I would love to try when I am of age,” McCarry Said. 

“I wouldn’t drink it year round, but it puts me in the holiday spirit.” Mina said. “It reminds me of that scene in The Grinch when he has the helmet on and is drinking eggnog. I kind of get the zoomies when I drink it.”

And McCarry and Mina aren’t alone in these passions. 

A survey by Visionmonday.com shows that 25% of Americans identify eggnog as their favorite seasonal beverage, but love for eggnog is slowly dwindling as it’s competitor, hot chocolate (brought to fame in the 1700s by the Spaniards), gains more popularity. 

Senior Bridget Agresta, who was vocal about her preference of hot chocolate, said she “used to like eggnog, but can no longer drink it after I put it in my cereal,” showing how eggnog can ride a fine line from love to hate. 

When asked about her liking of Eggnog, math teacher Mrs. Angie Toner immediately expressed disdain for the beverage. 

“It looks like something you would cough up,” Toner said. 

“If cousin Eddie likes it, it cannot be good.” 

Although Mrs. Toner does prefer hot chocolate over eggnog, she did admit that hot chocolate was not her favorite Christmas beverage.

“My favorite Christmas drink is called wassail,” she said. 

“It’s like a cider with cinnamon sticks and fruit juice, and it tastes really good.” 

So what do we get from all of this? What do we take away? What drink is better? The world may never know. 

Although eggnog has been deemed questionable by some, it’s more so the tradition and spirit that keeps it around, and hot chocolate may be deemed superior by some, but I suppose there is room for both of them during Christmas. 

So whether you’re drinking eggnog, hot chocolate, wassail, or tomato juice for Christmas, it’s about who you’re sharing it with and what you’re celebrating, not the foul eggy taste.