Nicholas, " better known as "Twas the Night Before Christmas.

WSJ: Condos Blend Old With New

While you may be tempted by that triptych depicting "The Night Before Christmas, " for beginners, it's best to start small with simple, deeply carved molds, which are more forgiving for clumsy hands and yield specimens that hold their shape well while baking.

WSJ: Wunderbar Christmas Cookies

On another occasion, shortly before Christmas, the busiest time of the year, a burglar broke in during the night, smashed display cabinets and stole thousands of dollars' worth of jewelry.

WSJ: Jeweler Under Siege