<P> In traditional festive legend , Santa Claus 's reindeer pull a sleigh through the night sky to help Santa Claus deliver gifts to children on Christmas Eve . The commonly cited names of the eight reindeer are Dasher , Dancer , Prancer , Vixen , Comet , Cupid , Donner , and Blitzen . They are based on those used in the 1823 poem `` A Visit from St. Nicholas '' ( commonly called `` The Night Before Christmas '' ) , arguably the basis of the reindeers ' popularity . </P>
<P> In traditional festive legend , Santa Claus 's reindeer pull a sleigh through the night sky to help Santa Claus deliver gifts to children on Christmas Eve . The commonly cited names of the eight reindeer are Dasher , Dancer , Prancer , Vixen , Comet , Cupid , Donner , and Blitzen . They are based on those used in the 1823 poem `` A Visit from St. Nicholas '' ( commonly called `` The Night Before Christmas '' ) , arguably the basis of the reindeers ' popularity . </P>
where did the names of the reindeers come from
where did the names of the reindeers come from
the 1823 poem `` A Visit from St. Nicholas '' ( commonly called `` The Night Before Christmas '' )
the 1823 poem `` A Visit from St. Nicholas '' ( commonly called `` The Night Before Christmas '' )