Christmas Trivia: Why Reindeer are Linked to Christmas

A lot of people wonder why, of all creatures, reindeer are associated with Christmas. Just as otherwise general images like snowmen, mistletoe, and snowflakes are now used in Christmas decorations and holiday greeting cards, reindeer have also become a modern Christmas symbol.

A Famous Poem

Reindeer are deer species found in the Arctic regions and are well-adapted to living in cold and under rugged conditions, thus a perfect animal symbol to use during the winter season - the season most associated with Christmas. But other than that, reindeer came to be popular in contemporary Christmas lore because of the poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas," which was written by Clement Moore, and the song "Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Moore's poem, also known as "The Night Before Christmas," talks of Santa Claus and his little sleigh, driven by eight flying reindeer. Moore’s poem was published annually during Christmas and has established the reindeer as a beloved symbol of the holiday.

Then Came Rudolph

Rudolph, on the other hand, was created by Robert May in 1939. May's employer, Montgomery Ward, asked him to write a story which they could use in promoting its department store chain. The story of Rudolph was specifically used in a giveaway booklet. Needless to say, the short tale became a hit among children. The story of Rudolph - first ostracized by others of his kind because of his red, shiny nose, and who eventually led Santa's team of flying reindeer, lit his path, and helped him deliver Christmas gifts to all the children around the world - later on became a short animation feature. In 1949, the lyrics and a melody were written, although the story has been significantly modified. Rudolph then, and reindeer in general, became one of the most modern of Christmas symbols.

So next time you see greeting cards with reindeer or Christmas reindeer decorations, wonder no more. Reindeer have become a part of Christmas history and a significant Christmas image and symbol and will remain so as long as the stories of Rudolph and Santa's flying sleigh are retold from generation to generation.