Santa's Reindeer, Reindeer, Reindeer!
Now Dancer, Now Prancer, Now Vixen...!
How many reindeer does Santa have? What are their names? And how do you make reindeer food? Read this page to learn more about those famous flying Christmas reindeer from the North Pole, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and all the other special creatures who pull Santa's sleigh.. You'll find trivia, jokes, crafts, gift ideas and even a few videos. Have fun!
(Image of Santa and his reindeer provided by Zazzle)
Santa's Reindeer
Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer!
Santa's reindeer are a team of magic flying reindeer that 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
(Image of Rudolph and Bumble ornament provided by NewEgg)
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
(Image of Santa's reindeer from personalized Christmas mug on Zazzle)
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!
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Recordable Book - Read and record a story about Santa's favorite reindeer
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.
Reindeer DVDs - Christmas DVDs featuring Robbie, Olive and, of course, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
You know Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, but did you know there are some other reindeers who have rated their own DVDs? Yes, indeed. Check 'em out below.
Where to Find Reindeer Coloring Pages
Let your kids color Santa's reindeer!
My son loves to color and he loves it when I download images from the web for him. If your kids are clamoring to color Rudolph, here are links to sites that offer free reindeer coloring pages.
Coloring.ws - Christmas Reindeer coloring pages
ClassBrain.com - - Christmas coloring page
First-School.ws - - Reindeer coloring pages
Free-Coloring-Pages.com - Christmas coloring page
Coloring-Page.net - Christmas coloring page
Reindeer Gifts at Amazon - Cute reindeer gifts you can buy online
If you love Christmas reindeer, check out some of the products available online.
Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer Video
I can't help it. I love this song!
Reindeer Jokes
Because flying alone isn't funny enough
How does Rudolph know when Christmas Eve is coming?
He looks at a calen-"deer"
Where do you find flying reindeer?
It depends where you leave them!
What does a reindeer say before he tells you a joke?
"This one is going to sleigh you."
Can Santa's reindeer fly higher than a 10-story building?
Yes, buildings can't fly at all.
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I Believe in Santa PawsCHECK PRICE
More Recommended Christmas Sites
- Printable SantaLetterTemplates.com
Offers Microsoft Word documents with Christmas backgrounds and Santa letter text that you can personalize at home and use again and again. - www.FreeSantaLetters.net
Customize a free letter from Santa Claus online in minutes.