How did the legend of Santa Claus get associated with reindeer?

Answer by  TXrosebud (26)

The myth is based on the 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas, also known as "The Night Before Christmas" or "Twas the Night Before Christmas". In the poem, Sants's sleigh is described as a "miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer" and the reindeer are "more rapid than eagles." There was no mention of flight in the original poem.

Answer by  pieface (273)

The myth is attributed to Clement Clarke Moor's 1822 poem "An Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas". The minister wrote the poem for his daughters. In the poem he names the reindeer. The poem was brought to life by Thomas Nast in 1881.