Flying Reindeer and Reindeer Chow

We all know Rudolph, the most popular of Santa’s reindeer, but how much do you know about the other reindeer that pull the famous sleigh each year?

Washington Irving wrote in 1812 about the magical St. Nicholas, who would ride in a wagon over the tops of trees in order to bring Christmas gifts to children. But in his story, "A Complete History of New York," Irving never mentions how the wagon is moving about through the sky. It’s not until 1821, when a poem written by an anonymous author called "A New Year’s Present" is published in New York that we first learn that reindeer are pulling the famous sleigh along.

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.

In 1823, Clement C. Moore wrote "A Visit From St Nicholas," which is more popularly known as "The Night Before Christmas." In this poem Moore firmly plants the tale of eight flying reindeer into our holiday traditions and is the first accounting of the actual names of the creatures.

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, Dunder and Blixem!
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!
Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all!"

Rudolph, the lovable red-nosed outcast who later becomes a hero, was first brought to us by Robert May, who wrote a book in 1939 for the Montgomery Ward Department Stores that was to be given as a gift to children who visited the store’s Santa.

Did you notice that two of the reindeer are named Dunder and Blixem? Well those names actually are Germanic words that translate to thunder and lightning. It’s not surprising that we’d see those German names as these stories originated in New York, which was initially called New Amsterdam and settled by Dutch and German immigrants. Well, in 1949, Johnny Marks composed the enormously popular song, "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," based on the Robert May book, and in it those two reindeer are named Donner and Blitzen, and those two names remain the popular versions today.

So why reindeer? Well, many of our Christmas traditions were brought to us by early Dutch and German immigrants, and along with them came their customs and their own stories. In their homelands, the reindeer population was quite widespread and once the majestic creatures were domesticated they were popularly used for transportation…including pulling sleds and sleighs.

So this season, while you’re creating your wonderful holiday cookies, why not whip up a batch of Reindeer Chow too? It could be a new tradition in your own home!



Reindeer Chow

1 box Crispix or Chex cereal
1 small jar peanut butter
1 box powdered sugar
1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 stick butter

In a small saucepan, melt the chocolate chips, butter, and peanut butter over low heat, stirring constantly until liquidy and hot.

Pour the cereal into a large bowl (make it plenty large because you’ll need room!) and when the chocolate mixture is ready, pour over the cereal. With a wide spoon, gently stir until all the cereal pieces are evenly coated. Let sit for a few minutes until it cools a bit.

Meanwhile, pour half of the powdered sugar into a brown grocery bag. Once the cereal mixture is sufficiently cooled, pour the contents of the bowl into the brown bag and then pour in the remainder of the powdered sugar.

Roll the brown bag closed and shake, shimmy, and roll the contents around in the bag until the contents are completely coated with the sugar. This may take a few moments, so have a good time dancing around the kitchen with your kids while doing this step of the recipe.

Once covered, let the reindeer chow sit in the brown bag until cooled. Store in an airtight container.

Enjoy!