a poem (1823) by Clement Moore (1779–1863) which is well known to many American children. It presents the traditional image of Santa Claus as a cheerful fat man who travels through the sky at Christmas bringing gifts. It begins:
T’was 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.