Santa's Reindeer, Reindeer, Reindeer!

lisadh by lisadh
Last updated: 01/03/2012

Now Dancer, Now Prancer, Now Vixen...!

How many reindeer does Santa have? What are their names? And how do you make reindeer food? Read this lens to learn more about those famous flying Christmas reindeer! You'll find trivia, jokes, crafts, gift ideas and even a few videos. Have fun!

Santa's Reindeer

Now Dasher, now Dancer, now Prancer!

Carlton Cards Heirloom Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Bumble Ornament with SoundSanta's reindeer are a team of magic flying reindeer which pull his sleigh and help him deliver Christmas gifts. The 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas" (better known now as Twas the Night Before Christmas) led to the popularity of reindeer as Christmas symbols. The poem reads in part:

With a little old driver so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

Now Dasher! Now Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!


According to the poem, the appearance is a "miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer" and they are "more rapid than eagles". The poem does not describe them, nor their positions in the sleigh-team, but does say they fly.

Over time, another famous reindeer was added and is now perhaps the best known. Rudolph, who became popular from the Christmas song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," is now known to lead Santa's sleigh with his bright red nose.

-Source: Wikipedia

How Many Reindeer Does Santa Have? And What Are Their Names?

Do you know the names of all Santa's reindeer?

Originally, Santa had eight reindeer. And then Rudolph came along. So now he has nine. These are their names:

1. Dasher
2. Dancer
3. Prancer
4. Vixen
5. Comet
6. Cupid
7. Donner (or Donder)
8. Blitzen
9. Rudolph

Santa and His Reindeer

Magic Reindeer Food Recipe

Help Santa's reindeer find your home with this magical recipe to sprinkle on your lawn

Catch Santa in your houseReindeer Food Recipe
- 1/4 cup dry oats
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- handful of green sugar sprinkles

If you're giving the magic reindeer food as a gift, you can add this poem to the outside of the bag or jar:

Sprinkle on the lawn at night.
The moon will make it sparkle bright.
As Santa's reindeer fly and roam,
This will guide them to your home!

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Recordable Book

Read and record a story about Santa's favorite reindeer

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer Recordable Story Book

Amazon Price: $19.92 (as of 02/17/2012)Buy Now

Description: Create a cherished memory to be handed down though generations--narrate and record the story of Rudolph in your own voice! Each page has voiced suggestions on how the story might be heard out loud.

By simply pressing the "record" button, you can begin narrating while following the printed words! You can record and save, or erase and re-record over and over! There's even a place to fill in names at "Gift for _______" and "Read to you by ______."

The last page plays "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" sung by Burl Ives. Rudolph stands in the center while his nose and the other reindeer names light up. Uses 3 AAA batteries (included).

What Goes In Must Come Out...

A fun Christmas gag for kids

With a simple reindeer poop poem, you can turn plain candy into a fun gag gift.
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Easy Clothespin Reindeer Craft

A quick project that kids love

This is a simple reindeer craft that is cheap, quick and fun for kids. You'll need:
- 3 clothespins (the old-fashioned kind work best)
- 2 googly eyes
- 1 red pom pom
- glue

Directions
1. Glue 2 clothespins on top of each other to form the body.
2. Glue the third clothespin upside down on top of the other two to form the head and antlers.
3. Glue the googly eyes and pom pom on the top clothespin to make the eyes and nose.
4. Let dry, and then have fun!

For more reindeer crafts you can make or buy, visit Reindeer-Crafts.com.

NORAD Santa Tracker

Keep track of Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve!

If you want to keep track of Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve, be sure to visit NORAD Tracks Santa. Beginning at 2:00 am Mountain Time on Christmas Eve, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), will be tracking Santa's journey across the globe. These are the same folks who watch our skies to keep North America safe from any air attacks, so you know they're on their toes and will be watching those reindeer as they take to the heavens. NORAD Tracks Santa starts their countdown on December 1 for the annual Santa tracking event, so be sure to bookmark the page and come back on Christmas Eve to watch Rudolph and company at work.

You might also want to check out the Santa cam at SantaSpeaking.com.

Reindeer DVDs

Christmas DVDs featuring Robbie, Olive and, of course, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

You know Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, but did you know there are some other reindeers who have rated their own DVDs? Yes, indeed. Check 'em out below.
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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Dominoes

A great stocking stuffer

Rudolph is so famous now that he's everywhere. Toys, games, clothes, everywhere! But this was a new one for me. When I saw these Rudolph reindeer dominoes online, I knew I had to include them on this page. I used to love playing dominoes when I was a kid, and I wish these had existed way back in the Stone Age of my youth so Santa could have dropped a set in my stocking. I'm sure my parents would also have appreciated the fact that it was a nice QUIET toy for Christmas morning. :-)

Rudolph Dominoes (Tin)

Where to Find Reindeer Coloring Pages

Let your kids color Santa's reindeer!

My son loves to color and he loves it when I download images from the web for him. If your kids are clamoring to color Rudolph, here are links to sites that offer free reindeer coloring pages.

Coloring.ws - Christmas Reindeer coloring pages

ClassBrain.com - - Christmas coloring page

First-School.ws - - Reindeer coloring pages

Free-Coloring-Pages.com - Christmas coloring page

Coloring-Page.net - Christmas coloring page

Reindeer Getting Ready to Fly!

Reindeer Gifts at Amazon

If you love Christmas reindeer, check out some of the products available online.
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Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer Video

I can't help it. I love this song!
Grandma Got Remixed by a Reindeer
by Laughingstockrecords | video info

757 ratings | 666,880 views
curated content from YouTube

Reindeer Jokes

Because flying alone isn't funny enough

How does Rudolph know when Christmas Eve is coming?
He looks at a calen-"deer"

Where do you find flying reindeer?
It depends where you leave them!

What does a reindeer say before he tells you a joke?
"This one is going to sleigh you."

Can Santa's reindeer fly higher than a 10-story building?
Yes, buildings can't fly at all.

Reindeer Aren't the Only Cute Christmas Animals

More About Christmas

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Rescuing Rudolph

A man saves a fawn before Christmas

Watch how a Wisconsin man saves a fawn who has gotten trapped on ice.


Man risks life to rescue deer
Man risks life to rescue deer

Do You Believe in Flying Reindeer?

Which one of Santa's reindeer is your favorite? Does Rudolph deserve all that fame? Sign our guestbook!

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Countdown to Christmas

Christmas: December 25, 2010

'Tis the Season

santa on train

This lens belongs to the
'Tis the Season for Christmas Lenses
group, where you'll find more interesting pages
with holiday tips, ideas and trivia.

This Happy Snowman page written by

lisadh

Of course I believe in flying reindeer! Santa obviously couldn't drive an SUV.

Seasons Greetings from the Wonderland

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