Santa's Reindeer, Reindeer, Reindeer!

Santa's Reindeer

Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer!

Santa's reindeer are a team of magic flying reindeer which pull his sleigh and help him deliver Christmas gifts. The 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (better known now as Twas the Night Before Christmas) led to the popularity of reindeer as Christmas symbols. The poem reads in part:

With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!

According to the poem, the appearance is a "miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer" and they are "more rapid than eagles". The poem does not describe them, nor their positions in the sleigh-team, but does say they fly.

Over time, another famous reindeer was added and is now perhaps the best known. Rudolph, who became popular from the Christmas song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," is now known to lead Santa's sleigh with his bright red nose.

-Source: Wikipedia

How Many Reindeer Does Santa Have? And What Are Their Names?

Do you know the names of all Santa's reindeer?

Originally, Santa had eight reindeer. And then Rudolph came along. So now he has nine. These are their names:

1. Dasher
2. Dancer
3. Prancer
4. Vixen
5. Comet
6. Cupid
7. Donner (or Donder)
8. Blitzen
9. Rudolph

Santa and His Reindeer

Magic Reindeer Food Recipe

Help Santa's reindeer find your home with this magical recipe to sprinkle on your lawn

Reindeer Food Recipe
- 1/4 cup dry oats
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- handful of green sugar sprinkles

If you're giving the magic reindeer food as a gift, you can add this poem to the outside of the bag or jar:

Sprinkle on the lawn at night.
The moon will make it sparkle bright.
As Santa's reindeer fly and roam,
This will guide them to your home!

Easy Clothespin Reindeer Craft

A quick project that kids love

This is a simple reindeer craft that is cheap, quick and fun for kids. You'll need:
- 3 clothespins (the old-fashioned kind work best)
- 2 googly eyes
- 1 red pom pom
- glue

Directions
1. Glue 2 clothespins on top of each other to form the body.
2. Glue the third clothespin upside down on top of the other two to form the head and antlers.
3. Glue the googly eyes and pom pom on the top clothespin to make the eyes and nose.
4. Let dry, and then have fun!

For more reindeer crafts you can make or buy, visit Reindeer-Crafts.com.

NORAD Santa Tracker

Keep track of Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve!

If you want to keep track of Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve, be sure to visit NORAD Tracks Santa. Beginning at 2:00 am Mountain Time on Christmas Eve, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), will be tracking Santa's journey across the globe. These are the same folks who watch our skies to keep North America safe from any air attacks, so you know they're on their toes and will be watching those reindeer as they take to the heavens. NORAD Tracks Santa starts their countdown on December 1 for the annual Santa tracking event, so be sure to bookmark the page and come back on Christmas Eve to watch Rudolph and company at work.

You might also want to check out the Santa cam at SantaSpeaking.com.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Dominoes

A great stocking stuffer

Where to Find Reindeer Coloring Pages

Let your kids color Santa's reindeer!

Reindeer Getting Ready to Fly!

Reindeer Jokes

Because flying alone isn't funny enough

Reindeer Aren't the Only Cute Christmas Animals

Rescuing Rudolph

A man saves a fawn before Christmas

'Tis the Season