TechWife Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 (edited) I was today years old when I realized that, according to the Night Before Christmas, the sleigh is miniature, the reindeer are tiny with little hooves and Santa is little with a little mouth. Ya’ll - this explains the chimney! Why does no one talk about this? https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43171/a-visit-from-st-nicholas Edited December 14, 2023 by TechWife 5 1 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 I've seen people talk about it about once a year when I see something about the origin of modern Christmas. Santa was an elf in that story. No one seems to notice anymore. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsmith Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 I've read that story/poem countless times, and it only struck me this year that Santa, the sleigh and the reindeer are all tiny. I think maybe it was the cartoon with the mice that made me notice it more, lol. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted December 14, 2023 Author Share Posted December 14, 2023 11 minutes ago, dsmith said: I've read that story/poem countless times, and it only struck me this year that Santa, the sleigh and the reindeer are all tiny. I think maybe it was the cartoon with the mice that made me notice it more, lol. I realized it when I was listening to Christmas music & it was recited. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 There are so many little bits in that poem. Like, he was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot. Oh, okay. Not this bright red, fur trimmed outfit? Got it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 Wow! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busymama7 Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 I noticed when reading it this year that one reindeer is named "Donder". Everyone writes/says Donner. Also one year reading the Grinch I realized it's in black and white primarily. So is the cover. He's not green in the book 😲 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 1 hour ago, busymama7 said: I noticed when reading it this year that one reindeer is named "Donder". Everyone writes/says Donner. I think the original was 'Dunder & Blixem", or Thunder & Lightning. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted December 14, 2023 Share Posted December 14, 2023 I memorized the entire poem when I was in high school (along with various other poems / songs). Pretty sure I still remember it word for word. He was a right jolly old elf. So I understand the chimney trick. Unfortunately, the writer didn't address the difficulty of chimneyless dwellings (something I've heard many kids ask about). But, in his defense, he wasn't necessarily writing for the entire world present and future. 😛 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathyl Posted December 15, 2023 Share Posted December 15, 2023 Well, I didn't realize it until I read your post just now. Wow. I guess I just looked at all the Christmas cards with Santa on them and assumed he was that size - ordinary. I'm going to quiz my kids and see whether they noticed it. lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almondbutterandjelly Posted December 15, 2023 Share Posted December 15, 2023 I always thought the elf phrase was figurative rather than literal. Now I have to check my copy and ponder. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corraleno Posted December 15, 2023 Share Posted December 15, 2023 This article traces some of the early depictions of Santa, including the 2 images below (the one in the yellow suit was an illustration for an 1864 version of the Night Before Christmas poem), and this article in the Guardian covers some of the later iterations, like the Coke ads. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Camper Posted December 15, 2023 Share Posted December 15, 2023 I always assumed that he (and the sleigh) appeared miniature from a distance. It was when he looked out the window that he described him that way. Regardless, it's just a poem (that I happen to love). It's not like he has inside knowledge of Santa! 😁 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busymama7 Posted December 15, 2023 Share Posted December 15, 2023 1 hour ago, Happy Camper said: I always assumed that he (and the sleigh) appeared miniature from a distance. It was when he looked out the window that he described him that way. Regardless, it's just a poem (that I happen to love). It's not like he has inside knowledge of Santa! 😁 When my kids ask various things relating to this or movies or whatever I just remind them that these are people's imaginations 😉 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted December 16, 2023 Author Share Posted December 16, 2023 On 12/14/2023 at 10:55 PM, Happy Camper said: I always assumed that he (and the sleigh) appeared miniature from a distance. It was when he looked out the window that he described him that way. Regardless, it's just a poem (that I happen to love). It's not like he has inside knowledge of Santa! 😁 Ah - but the hooves on the roof are “little” - so not at a distance “And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.” 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.