The History of Reindeer Decorations For Christmas

Reindeer decorations have become an icon for the holidays, because they are famous for pulling Santa's sleigh filled with lots of toys and goodies for all good little boys and girls. Santa's reindeer were named based on a poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas", written in 1823. This was the beginning of popularity of Christmas reindeer decorations adorning yards across the world.

The original names of the eight tiny reindeer were Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, Dunder and Blixem. Later, Dunder was changed to Donder, then Donner, and Blixem was changed to Blitzen. Then later followed Rudolph due to the popular Christmas song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer".

The poem written in 1823, was published anonymously as "A Visit from St. Nicholas", and later called "Twas the Night Before Christmas", is the the main reason for our love of reindeer decorations today along with their friend Santa Claus.

Now, you can't have reindeer decorations without the most famous reindeer of all, Rudolph. The story of Rudolph began in a verse written by Robert L. May for Montgomery Ward, a department store chain, in 1939. He published a small coloring book which was given to the children when they came to the store at Christmas time.

According to this famous story, Rudolph was Donner's son, and was born with a nose that was glowing red. His red nose made him an outcast with the other reindeer. However, there was one special Christmas that had severe fog, making it impossible for Santa to fly his sleigh. Santa was about to cancel Christmas that year until he noticed Rudolph's nose, which would make a perfect lamp to guide the sleigh.

You know the rest of the story, and this is the reason why we love reindeer decorations at Christmas time. Keep the tradition alive, add these magical reindeer decorations to your display this year. This is one decoration that will never go out of style.