Christmas Town
Busch Gardens
Williamsburg VA
2021

"Old Santeclaus with Much Delight" is an anonymous illustrated children's poem published in New York in 1821, predating by two years the first publication of "A Visit from St. Nicholas" ("Twas the Night before Christmas"). It is the first publication to mention (and illustrate) Santa Claus's reindeer and his sleigh, as well as being the first to describe his arrival on Christmas Eve. The accompanying illustrations are the earliest published artistic depictions of a Santa Claus figure.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Santeclaus_with_Much_Delight

Old Santeclaus with much delight
His reindeer drives this frosty night,
O'r chimney tops, and tracts of snow,
To bring his yearly gifts to you.

The steady friend of virtuous youth,
The friend of duty, and of truth,
Each Christmas eve he joys to come
Where peace and love have made their home.

Through many houses he has been,
And various beds and stockings seen;
Some, white as snow, and neatly mended,
Others, that seemed for pigs intended.

To some I gave a pretty doll,
To some a peg-top, or a ball;
No crackers, cannons, squibs, or rockets,
To blow their eyes up, or their pockets.

Where e're I found good girls or boys,
That hated quarrels, strife and noise,
I left an apple, or a tart,
Or wooden gun, or painted cart;

No drums to stun their Mother's ear,
Nor swords to make their sisters fear;
But pretty books to store their mind
With knowledge of each various kind.

But where I found the children naughty,
In manners crude, in temper haughty,
Thankless to parents, liars, swearers,
Boxers, or cheats, or base tale-bearers,

I left a long, black, birchen rod,
Such as the dread command of God
Directs a Parent's hand to use
When virtue's path his sons refuse.


The World's Most Beautiful Theme Park is once again transformed with over ten million twinkling lights, one of the largest light displays in North America.


https://buschgardens.com/williamsburg/events/christmas-town/

Busch Gardens Williamsburg's Christmas Town in 2021 was a holiday celebration with over 10 million lights, shows, rides, and more.

The tradition of Santa and reindeer lawn ornaments is rooted in historical and cultural influences. The idea of Santa being pulled by reindeer to deliver gifts to children became popular in the 19th century.

Reindeer in Norse and Germanic mythology
Reindeer were used to pull sleds and transport goods in Scandinavian and Eastern European countries.

The poem Old Santeclaus with Much Delight
Published in 1821, this poem was the first to feature Santa being pulled by a reindeer.

The poem A Visit from St. Nicholas
Written by Clement Clarke Moore, this poem immortalized the image of Santa's sleigh pulled by reindeer.

The poem The Night Before Christmas
Written by Clement C. Moore, this poem also immortalized the image of Santa's sleigh pulled by reindeer.

Reindeer symbolize creativity, resourcefulness, knowledge, safe journeying, and endurance.

Vintage blow mold decorations have been a classic part of holiday decorations for over a century, and are still highly sought after by collectors. From witches and ghosts to Christmas trees and snowmen, these hand-crafted decorations are the perfect way to bring back timeless Halloween and Christmas memories.

Blow molds are hollow plastic figures that were generally placed outside. Most of the blow molds everyone is obsessed about have lights in them.

Blow molds were the most popular in the 1950s-1970s.

Vintage blow molds are handcrafted decorations that are created out of melted plastic. The mold is filled with liquid plastic, then air pressure is applied to shape the plastic into predetermined design patterns. They're available in classic Halloween motifs such as witches, ghosts and pumpkins, but can also be found featuring iconic Christmas images like Santa Clause, snowmen and Christmas trees.