Ask most children what Santa's reindeer are called and they will recite them in a rush. Reindeer stories are part of the magic, and a few simple ideas can make them feel real on the night.
Make a name card for each reindeer
Write each name on a card and let your child decorate them. Put the cards on the mantelpiece or the kitchen table, so the children can see them each morning in December. It is also a good memory game on long drives.
Give each reindeer a personality
One is brave, one is shy, one always gets lost. Children enjoy being asked which reindeer they would like to ride with, and why. This gives a parent something to talk about at bedtime for a week.
Read a reindeer book together
Choose a story about a small or unlikely reindeer. Many have a lesson about kindness or being different, which fits neatly with a Christmas talk about helping others.
Leave a reindeer treat
Carrots, oats or a small handful of birdseed on the lawn are a classic. Remember to let the children leave it out together, and to check in the morning that it has gone. Most families are happy to pretend the reindeer were very hungry.
Keep the stories gentle
A reindeer story should end well. Children can be sensitive about lost or hurt animals, so choose tales where the reindeer find their way home.