Celebrate “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”

Celebrate “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” in 2023 as the classic poem celebrates its 200th anniversary! Start by decorating your tree to tell the story. With this in mind, look to Bronner’s giant “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” tree just inside our west entrance for inspiration.

No doubt, vintage ornaments and trims will take you back in time. And for extra fun, invite the festivities to Christmas dinner with our DIY dining room table décor.

DIY Christmas Placemats Celebrate “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”

If you had ever told me I would one day be a fan of tearing a book apart for a DIY project, I would have told you that you were crazy. But here I am today, not minding it at all as I take one apart for our “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” placemats. Maybe that’s because I’m using the pages to honor and tell the story.

In particular, the hardcover book “The Night Before Christmas,” illustrated by Christian Birmingham, is perfect for this project. (#1200994, available in-store or by contacting customer service at 800.361.6736 or customerservice@bronners.com) Rich in color, the illustrations come to life before your eyes. No doubt, you’ll want a copy of this version of the story for yourself as well as several to give as gifts!

Assemble Placemats

To begin with, gather a copy of the book, mat knife, desktop paper cutter or scissors, and clear tape. Open the front cover and gently cut the strings holding the bound pages to the book cover. Repeat from the open back cover as needed.

Next, take the pages (free of the book cover but still bound together) to a paper cutter. As close to the binding as possible, cut each page free from the binding. (Remember you can do this by hand with scissors, but it’s more difficult to keep the cut line straight and clean.

Now run each page through a laminating machine. If you don’t have one readily available, you can take your pages to a business supply store or teacher supply store for this step for a small charge. Or you can purchase self-stick self self laminate. You will need sheets at least 11 by 14 inches in size. Regardless, you’ll need two sheets per book page.

Finally, trim the laminate back but not so far that the seal is jeopardized, tape together a page of matching text (on the right) to a matching picture (on the left). The tape seam should be on the back. Voila!

Trim Your Table to Celebrate “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”

Indeed there’s something magical about the author’s encounter with Santa captured in Moore’s classic poem. In similar fashion, bring that magic to your Christmas table.

Without a doubt, you’ll transform your table instantly by laying our white tablecloth that’s trimmed with red embroidered stars along with Santas and sleighs pulled by reindeer.

Now continue the transformation by arranging your place setting. You can top your DIY “Twas the Night Before Christmas” placemat with our ruby shimmer dinner plate. Next, add silver, stainless steel or pewter flatware. Follow your flatware by threading a gray fabric dinner napkin through the ring of our red leather jingle bell strap. Lay it across the dinner plate and complete the setting with clear stemware.

Carry the Theme

Now carry the theme throughout the room to your fireplace mantel. After all, our Santa-reading-letters wall art (1241063) captures the magic of the jolly old elf. And our house tree table sign (1242805) suggests the neighborhood visited by St. Nick. This is especially true when the houses are lit from behind with battery-operated tea lights (not included).

By the same token, share the theme on our 11-inch magnetic round easel (1240529). Just add magnets to a letter set of your choice. No doubt you’ll find many seasonal and holiday uses for this easel!

Lastly, don’t forget to trim the back of your chairs with a vintage-style corduroy red stocking (1216405) – available in-store or by contacting customer service at 800.361.6737 or customerservice@bronners.com.

Read The Book

For certain, Bronner’s has a version of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” for every member of your family! Find them in-store or contact customer service, 800.361.6736 or customerservice@bronners.com, to order your favorites. And don’t forget to add a copy of the book to the children’s Chrsitmas stockings.

• “The Night Before Christmas” board book (reindeer cover) – (1251900)
• “The Night Before Christmas” board book (Santa in sleigh cover) – (1251943)
• “The Night Before Christmas” Little Golden Board Book – (1186894)
• “The Night Before Christmas” Little Golden Book – (1166016)
• “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” board book (blue cover with stars, Santa, sleigh and reindeer) – (1216836)
• “The Night Before Christmas” sound book – (1255740)
• “The Night Before Christmas” illustrated by Christian Birmingham – (1200994)
• “The Night Before Christmas” illustrated by Antonio Javier Caparo – (1200953)
• “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” illustrated by Jim Shore – (1255039)
• “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” bicentennial keepsake hardcover edition – (1255791)
• “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” keepsake board book – (1255790)

More “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas”

Wait! Before you leave, be sure to sign up for a virtual author visit with Pamela McColl, author of “‘Twas the Night: The Art and History of the Classic Christmas Poem.” In brief, this virtual event is a joint venture of the Frankenmuth Wickson District Library and Birch Run Fleschner Memorial Library. So you can attend from either library or the comfort of your home.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!