'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

 

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

 

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

 

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

 

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, DONDER and BLITZEN!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

 

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

 

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

 

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

 

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

 

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

 

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

 

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

 

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD-NIGHT!"

I only ask because I was curious to know if this was just an "American thing" or if it was known elsewhere...

 

 

I know.. I'm nuts.. but my poll also had a 3rd option.. which mysteriously dissappeared.....:thinking:

yeah i've heard of that, it was in a christmas book i had when i was 'ikle :D

I just love Christmas :P

I only ask because I was curious to know if this was just an "American thing" or if it was known elsewhere...

 

 

I know.. I'm nuts.. but my poll also had a 3rd option.. which mysteriously dissappeared.....:thinking:

 

Same.

I still have the book though, along with three other festive stories!!

oohh!! I'm learning so much from you guys... thanks!

I supposed to quote Jak then :embarrased:

where's Camille :/ ?

you rang... :cool:

yes, Camille is back :)

i love that story!!! roll on xmas day!

what do you want... this is a thread for Christmasmas cheer... and such.. and to proove the nay sayers wrong...

 

 

;)

christmasmas??

christmasmas??

 

 

 

you've never heard of chritsmasmas..... ?? :laugh3:

 

 

that was a typo... :blush:

;)

 

I was going to leave a smilie but the ones here don't always convey what I would like :( .

Anyway....how you doin'?

:idea2: :idea2: twas the nite b4 Xmas and i got a bj from one of Santa's daughters. :sneaky: :sneaky: ..LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!! :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

yup, we have about 6 different versions to buy!!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

:santa2:

have you seen my new pics Camille ^ ? :D

yes

thank you for looking :D :wink3:

:santa: :santa2: :santa3: hohoho :santa3: :santa2: :santa:

hey JaK, I'm gonna give you a nickname

 

it's called JaKster :lol: :) :D

ok ok fess up..

 

 

who were the 2 who have no idea what I am going on about... :embarrased: I think I know one of them... :P