“A Visit from St. Nicholas”, better known as “The Night Before Christmas” or ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” from its first line, is a poem first published anonymously in 1823. Clement Clarke Moore claimed authorship in 1837, but it has also been suggested that Henry Livingston Jr. wrote it. To this day, true authorship is an open question.

Authorship may be questioned, but the poem’s impact certainly isn’t. Its publication significantly shaped modern Christmas customs by popularizing the image of Santa Claus, the tradition of gift-giving, and festive symbols such as stockings and reindeer. Its portrayal of a jolly St. Nick and the cozy family setting transformed Christmas into a family-oriented holiday celebration.

We read Moore’s poem every holiday . Another must-read around our house is The Night Before Christmas in Texas, That Is by Leon A. Harris.

The book has entertained Texas audiences for more than forty years. From the inside cover flap:
A Western Santa Claus-decked out in Levi’s, a ten-gallon Stetson, a cowboy vest, and with a bandana around his neck-makes his Christmas journey on a buckboard piled high with presents. Swooping in over the prairie to the amazement of sleepy residents and jackrabbits alike, a plump, jovial Santa parks his buckboard outside a peaceful ranch house. From boot-stuffing gifts to the faithful “hosses” pulling his “sleigh,” this is a Christmas tale rich in Texas tradition.

In the 1950s, Gene Autry recorded Harris’ poem for Columbia Records. Somewhere, I still have an original 78 record. Have a listen.

With no snow, and usually no wintry weather, southern holiday traditions are different. Check out the list below to read about a few.

Hanging a pickle on the Christmas tree
Lining our sidewalk with Luminaries
Eating tamales on Christmas Eve
Singing “Merry TEXAS Christmas, You All.”

Do you have any special holiday traditions in your family?