I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus
Perry Como Lyrics


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I saw Mommy kissin' 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 kissin' Santa Claus last night.

We know a secret, we got a little secret,
yeah, yeah, nah nah nah!

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 kissin' Santa Claus last night.





Words and Music by
Johnny Marks , 1949

Overall Meaning

The song "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus," written by Johnny Marks, tells the story of a child who wakes up on Christmas Eve to see their mother kissing Santa Claus under the mistletoe. The child watches as the mother continues to tickle Santa's beard, unaware that the child is watching. The song concludes with the child musing that it would have been quite the scene if the child's father had witnessed the interaction.


The song has a playful tone and is meant to evoke the magic and whimsy of Christmas. The lyrics suggest that the child is both amused and a bit scandalized by what they've seen. The mother's behavior is presented as slightly mischievous, since she is kissing someone other than her husband. At the same time, the child seems delighted to have discovered a secret, and there is a sense of camaraderie between the child and the mother in their shared moment of playfulness with Santa.


Overall, the song is a lighthearted reflection on the magic and joy of the holiday season. It celebrates the playful spirit of Christmas and encourages listeners to embrace the joy and wonder of the season.


Line by Line Meaning

I saw Mommy kissin' Santa Claus
I witnessed my mother engaging in a romantic act of kissing with someone dressed as Santa Claus.


underneath the mistletoe last night.
This activity occurred beneath a mistletoe plant hanging in the family home.


She didn't see me creep
My mother was unaware of my presence as I quietly watched her actions.


down the stairs to have a peep;
I went down the stairs to discreetly observe what was happening.


She thought that I was tucked up
My mother believed that I was sound asleep in my bedroom at the time.


in my bedroom fast asleep.
She assumed that I was in a deep, peaceful slumber up in my bedroom.


Then, I saw Mommy tickle Santa Claus
I went on to observe my mother playfully tickling Santa Claus while they were together.


underneath his beard so snowy white;
This tickling continued on the facial region of the Santa Claus performer, who had a long, white beard.


Oh, what a laugh it would have been
It would have been hilarious if my father had seen the playful interaction between my mother and Santa Claus.


If Daddy had only seen
Had my father witnessed the exchange, he would have surely found it amusing.


Mommy kissin' Santa Claus last night.
The specific act that my father would have found humorous was my mother kissing the man dressed as Santa Claus.


We know a secret, we got a little secret,
Despite the amusing sight I had witnessed, it was still a secret that only a select few knew about.


yeah, yeah, nah nah nah!
This is a playful exclamation, expressing our joy in knowing this amusing secret.




Contributed by Chase W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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