'Visit From Saint Nicholas' Summary

The poem opens with a cozy scene of a sleeping household on Christmas Eve. The children are nestled snug in their beds, dreaming of sugarplums. Outside, a blizzard rages, but the sound of reindeer hooves is heard on the roof. Santa Claus, a jolly figure with a belly like a bowl full of jelly, enters the house through the chimney. He fills the stockings with toys and leaves gifts under the tree, then climbs back up the chimney to continue his journey. As the first rays of dawn break, the children awaken to the wonder of Christmas morning, their stockings overflowing and the magic of Santa's visit still lingering in the air. This classic poem captures the spirit of Christmas with its themes of joy, generosity, and the magic of childhood.