The Cajun Night Before Christmas by Trosclair

The Cajun Night Before Christmas® has been a part of Louisiana's holiday traditions since it was first published. Now, more than forty-five years later, a new generation is discovering the charm of Gaston® the Green-Nosed Alligator. First conceived by J.B. Kling, Jr. writing as 'Trosclair', the CLIO award-winning sales jingle for the Bergeron Plymouth Company in New Orleans was based on the Clement Moore poem. The exclusive rights were purchased by Pelican Publishing Company and the illustrations of then fledgling artist James Rice brought the story to life. Beloved master storyteller Coleen Salley narrated the read-along CD. Radio personality and voice talent Tommy Joe Breaux became the voice behind the recordings at City Park and on the audio version of the adventures of Gaston®. The book also created what has become the largest segment at Pelican Publishing-the children's book division. With the passing of publisher Dr. Milburn Calhoun and his wife Nancy Calhoun, illustrator James Rice, and the loss of Colleen Salley, the people behind the creation of the story are mostly gone. What remains is a long legacy of delight. Each year at the Celebration in the Oaks light show featuring the classic cabin from the story, dedicated staff from Pelican Publishing collect memories of attendees as they flow through the premiere preview parties. From now grown children who remember it as the first Louisiana tale they ever heard to young parents who laugh about a non-Louisiana spouse reading it to their children in full-blown Cajun accent, the book is universally loved and remembered. Teachers talk about how they use it in the classroom, business people mention they send it to out of state clients, and children laugh as they try to mimic the dialect that has all but disappeared from everyday life. The classic tale has been interpreted in gingerbread houses in competitions as far away as California and in cakes at the Edible Book competition at NOMA in New Orleans. For years, the miniature book ornaments have appeared on Christmas trees across the country as a reminder of a faraway Louisiana home. Even the New York Times praised the lilt, the humor, and the rough-hewn drawings of the Cajun tale. At Pelican Publishing, a huge portrait of Gaston® and his bearded friend hangs in the boardroom watching over each new author and illustrator that joins the family.

Shipping Policy

All orders are processed within 1-5 business days (excluding weekends and holidays) after receiving your order confirmation email. You will receive another notification when your order has shipped.

Shipping Rates

Flat-rate shipping is available for $9.95 for orders placed in the U.S.

Heavy-goods shipping for oversized items is available for $29.95 for orders placed in the U.S.

Free ground shipping is provided for orders placed in the U.S. over $100.

International shipping is available for $29.95 (standard) & $49.95 (heavy goods) for orders placed outside of the U.S.

*Free Shipping Not Applicable for Oversize items, International Shipping, or Fragile Items requiring extra packaging services.

In-Store Pickup

You can skip the shipping fees with free local pickup at our Harrison Ave. location. After placing your order and selecting local pickup at checkout, your order will be prepared and ready for pick up within 1-5 business days. We will send you an email when your order is ready along with instructions. 

Our in-store pickup hours are 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, & 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. on Sundays. Please have your order confirmation email with you when you come.

How do I check the status of my order?

When your order has shipped, you will receive an email notification from us which will include a tracking number you can use to check its status. Please allow 48 hours for the tracking information to become available. 

If you haven’t received your order within 14 days of receiving your shipping confirmation email, please contact us at thecustomerservicemuffins@gmail.com with your name and order number, and we will look into it for you.

For some merchandise returned within 30 days of delivery date, a refund will be issued to the original form of payment at the original selling price.

If returned within 45 days, a store merchandise credit will be issued at the original selling price.

Jewelry purchased via online store can be returned for a refund within 14 days of purchase in the original condition. Jewelry is not refundable after 14 days. Jewelry purchased in store is final sale, with few exceptions.

Christmas items are final sale.

This refund policy excludes SALE and discounted purchases. All SALE purchases and all other discounted purchases are final sale, and no returns will be accepted.
Reusable & protective face masks are a final sale and cannot be returned or exchanged.