I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

Christmas Song Lyrics

I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus
Underneath the mistletoe last night.
She didn't see me creep
Down the stairs to have a peep;
She thought that I was tucked up in my bedroom fast asleep.
Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus
Underneath his beard so snowy white;
Oh, what a laugh it would have been
If Daddy had only seen
Mommy kissing Santa Claus last night.

History of this Christmas Song

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus is a mischievous and humorous Christmas song that first delighted audiences in 1952. It was written by British songwriter Tommie Connor and recorded that same year by thirteen year old Jimmy Boyd (see video below). His charming delivery helped the song shoot to the top of the charts in the United States, where it quickly became a holiday favorite.

The song tells the story of a child who sneaks downstairs on Christmas Eve, only to spot Mommy sharing a kiss with Santa. Listeners quickly realize the playful twist. Santa is almost certainly Dad dressed in red. The child, however, doesn't quite catch on, which gives the song its innocent sense of wonder and comedy.

When the tune debuted, it stirred a bit of controversy among some church groups who misunderstood the storyline. Jimmy Boyd famously visited the Catholic Church in Boston to explain the joke. Once everyone realized it was simply a bit of domestic holiday fun, the song's popularity soared even higher.

Over the decades, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus has been recorded by many artists, each adding their own personality to the cheeky tale. It remains a lighthearted reminder that Christmas Eve is full of surprises, especially when seen through the eyes of a child.

Performance Video by Jimmy Boyd

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