Santa's Reindeer: Which One Are You Like?

Santa's reindeer are named in the popular Christmas poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas." The names are called out in the poem written in 1823 by Clement C. Moore and originally titled "A Visit from St. Nicholas."

The animals form a team of flying reindeer that pull Santa's sleigh to help him get from place to place in a hurry to deliver Christmas gifts to boys and girls all over the world.

While the reindeer work together as a team, each reindeer has its own individual traits and responsibilities. As you read the profile of each reindeer, think of the one that you are like.

Traditionally, Santa's sleigh is led by eight reindeer: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. Rudolph was not part of the original team. Santa uses Rudolph only when there is bad weather.

Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer, and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Dunder and Blixem!

Dasher

Dasher's name describes his main characteristic. He is always ready to "dash" off because he is fast and always ready to go. He has lots of energy and is glad to be on the team with the other reindeer. Are you like Dasher?

Dancer

Dancer is the team's youngest female. She is named after what she does. She is a graceful dancer. She has strong legs that are just a little longer than the other reindeer.

If there were a "Dancing with the Reindeer" show, she would surely win the competition. Do you dance every chance you get? Then you are like Santa's famous female reindeer.

Prancer

The reindeer that is full of energy and loves to have fun is Prancer. Prancer is the only reindeer to have a spinoff movie of his own. He is the youngest male reindeer on Santa's team. Are you energetic like Prancer who loves to have fun?

Vixen

Vixen is the oldest female reindeer on the team and is harnessed with Dancer, the youngest female reindeer. All the reindeer could rely on Vixen to encourage them even in bad weather because Vixen is clever and strong-willed. Are you clever and strong-willed? If so, then you are like Vixen who doesn't mind being harnessed with someone who needs encouragement.

Comet

Comet is not as fast as Blitzen, but he is fast enough to do his part. Comet is usually hitched with Cupid. Are you a Comet on your team? Do you like getting paired with someone else for the greater good? If you don't mind doing your part, then you are like Comet.

Cupid

Cupid is always hitched at the front of the team because he flies straight as an arrow. He has a keen sense of direction that always keeps the team flying. Usually, Cupid and Comet are harnessed together to keep each other accountable.

Do you often get lost while driving? If so, you need to be hitched to Cupid to lead you straight to the places you need to go. If you are good at finding places, you are the Cupid who helps others find their way to get to their destination on time.

Donner

Donner is described as the most powerful of the reindeer. Donner's name means “thunder” in German. Donner is the oldest of the reindeer and is placed at the front. He is harnessed alongside Blitzen, closest to the sleigh, where their strength is needed the most. Don't be surprised if you see his name spelled Donder in some documents.

Do people notice your power and recommend you as the group's leader? If so, then you are like Donner. You are equipped to lead the group and help others who are not as strong as you are.

Blitzen

Blitzen is the fastest reindeer on the sleigh team. We just learned that Donner is the German word for "thunder." Well, Blitzen is the German word for “lightning.”

He is the second-strongest reindeer and is always hitched with Donner right next to the sleigh. As a duo, they are thunder and lightning. What a good combination! Perhaps you are like Blitzen.

Rudolph

Rudolph is not listed in the 1823 original version of the poem. He was never part of the original team. He is added to the team only when he is needed in foggy weather.

The story of Rudolph is recorded in a separate book about a reindeer with a very shiny nose that glowed in the dark. He is the smallest of all the reindeer and the one who has saved many Christmases.

Rudolph was a social outcast because of the way he looked. Have you ever been body-shamed because of the way you look? Or do you have a feature that has come in handy when it was needed to save the day? If so, then you are like Rudolph with the red nose that glows.

Rudolph's Story

Rudolph's story was initially written by Robert L. May for Montgomery Ward Department Store in 1939. The book was given to children in the store at Christmastime. According to this original story, Rudolph's glowing red nose made him a social outcast among the other reindeer. While visiting Rudolph's house to deliver his presents, Santa observed Rudolph's glowing red nose in the dark and used it as a headlight to guide his sleigh in the severe fog. Rudolph accepted Santa's request to lead the sleigh for the rest of the night, and he returned home a hero for having helped Santa Claus.

Rudolph, with his red nose, has gone down in history as the most famous reindeer of them all, even though he was not one of the original reindeer and not a character in "Twas the Night Before Christmas" poem.

Comment Please!

Which one of Santa's reindeer are you like?