A Reindeer's Tale: Fun Facts You Never Knew About Santa's Magical Team

Ho ho ho,

Of all the magical wonders here at the North Pole, none are quite so special, or have such big hearts, as my magnificent reindeer team. You know their names, of course! You’ve sung about them and seen them in stories. But I’ve been their friend for a very, very long time, and I can tell you they are even more amazing than the legends say.

They are the true engines of Christmas, and I thought it might be fun to share a few of their secrets with you. Here are some fun facts straight from the stables!

1. What makes them fly? Pure Christmas Spirit (and a little snack).

My reindeer don’t just have wings you can't see. They are powered by the bright, wonderful glow of Christmas spirit from all around the world! All the kindness, joy, and belief from children like you create a magic that literally lifts them into the sky. It also helps that Mrs. Claus feeds them special "Magic Oats" mixed with a tiny bit of ground stardust before the big flight.

2. Rudolph's nose is warm!

It's true! His nose isn't just bright; it's also quite warm to the touch. The elves often huddle around him on very cold days. The light it gives off is pure, concentrated joy, and it can cut through the thickest fog, a swirling blizzard, or even a bit of lingering doubt.

3. They All Have Very Different Personalities

You can't have a team without a few characters! Each one is truly unique.

• Dasher and Comet are the speediest. They are always racing each other around the North Pole and love the thrill of the Christmas Eve dash.

• Dancer and Prancer are the most graceful. They are light on their hooves, and they love to leap and twirl in the snow. They're the ones who make our sleigh landings so wonderfully soft and quiet.

• Vixen is very clever and a bit of a prankster. She’s the one who's always hiding the elves' hats in the hay bales or nudging the cookie jar open when Mrs. Claus isn't looking!

• Donner and Blitzen (which mean "Thunder" and "Lightning") are the strongest and most dependable. They are the powerful pair that pulls the sleigh through the toughest weather, no matter how strong the wind blows.

• Cupid is the most affectionate. He is the first to greet me in the morning and loves to nudge the elves for a nice scratch behind the ears. He brings a lot of love to the team.

• And Rudolph, of course! He may be the most famous, but he is also the most humble. He was a little shy when he was younger, but he has grown into a brave and wonderful guide. He is very kind, takes his job very seriously, and is truly the bright, shining heart of the team.

4. Their favorite snack is not just carrots.

While they do love a crunchy carrot (it's very good for their teeth!), their absolute favorite treat is what my elves call "Reindeer Moss Cakes." It’s a special, sweet moss that only grows on the North Pole tundra, which Mrs. Claus bakes into little cakes with molasses. They will do anything for one!

5. They train all year long.

They don't just rest for 364 days! The reindeer need to stay in top shape. They have a very important job, after all. The elves set up obstacle courses for them, and they practice taking off and landing on all sorts of rooftops. Their favorite game is the "Northern Lights Dash," where they race the shimmering lights in the sky.

6. There are more than just nine reindeer!

While my main sleigh team is the most famous, we have many other wonderful reindeer here at the Pole. There are younger "reindeer-in-training" who are learning to fly and pull the practice sleighs. We also have the older, retired reindeer who live in a very cozy pasture and get to spend their days napping and telling the young ones stories about their Christmas Eve adventures.

7. They can hear their names being called.

This is the most magical part. When you sing their names in a song or read them in a story, they truly can feel it! A little shiver of joy runs through the stables, and it makes their coats shine just a little bit brighter.

It is their greatest joy to know that you believe in them. It is that belief that makes my sleigh soar. Thank you for helping them fly!

With love, Santa Claus