Traditions and Trivia: Reindeer

Once the legend of Sinterklaas and Saint Nicholas began circulating in multiple countries, the logical question would have been asked, ‘How does he get everywhere in one night?’

The first answer was a wagon, according to altogetherchristmas.com, which states: “Washington Irving refers to St. Nicholas as ‘riding over the tops of the trees, in that self-same wagon wherein he brings his yearly presents to children’.”

However Irving, or Knickerbocker as his pseudonym was, never mentioned what pulled the wagon. 

Irving’s story came out in 1812, the answer arrived in 1821 with William Gilley, a New York publisher, printing “A New Year's Present, to the Little Ones from Five to Twelve Number III: The Children's Friend”.

“Old Santeclaus with much delight
His reindeer drives this frosty night.
O'er chimneytops, and tracks of snow,
To bring his yearly gifts to you.”

Altogetherchristmas.com also has a short explanation that the author, while still unknown, merely used the idea of the far northern animal, whom his mother told him could fly.

But the real infamy began with everyone’s favorite poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas” in which the eight reindeer are named.

The rest is repeated lore and history still present in many holiday celebrations involving children.