It was a chilly night in December; I slept late thinking about Santa Claus and the great big mystery. Does he really exist? And what about his sleigh, is it real, too? Oh, and the question that intrigued me most was, How many reindeer does Santa have? Which one is his favourite, and what must be their names? 

This is what the winter nights during my childhood were all about; I was a curious kid with a million questions about Christmas! These reindeer have become a symbol of holidays, with our favourite Christmas ornaments in the shapes and pictures of reindeer to reindeer-themed snow globes in Canada; we love celebrating Santa’s favourite companion! 

Read more : Who is santa's favorite reindeer

If you are as curious as I used to be and want to know how many reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh, then keep on reading. This blog is a place of Christmas joy!

The Original Reindeer Team: Eight Majestic Helpers

The first mention of Santa’s reindeer comes from the classic 1823 poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas”, also known as “The Night Before Christmas”. The poem famously names eight reindeer:

1. Dasher

2. Dancer

3. Prancer

4. Vixen

5. Comet

6. Cupid

7. Donner

8. Blitzen

The personalities of these eight reindeer are described as charming, loving, playful, courageous and strong. They happily help Santa in his mission to spread happiness. 

Santa’s reindeer are known to be swift, powerful, and wonderfully blissful! They proudly pull Santa’s sleigh across the night sky to deliver joyous presents to children around the world. The traditional answer to how many reindeer pull.          

The Ninth Reindeer: Rudolph’s Shining Moment

Did we come this far in the blog of Santa Claus’s reindeer without mentioning Rudolph? The story of Christmas is incomplete until all the reindeer, especially Rudolph, are mentioned! Introduced in 1939 through a Montgomery Ward Christmas booklet, Rudolph was initially a storybook character; he then gained more by featuring in a beloved song and stop-motion TV special. 

What makes Rudolph special is his glowing red nose that gleams to guide Santa through the dark and foggy night skies; he is an irreplaceable part of Santa’s team. A beloved addition to the eight reindeer, making them a beautiful group of 9!

Reindeer in Popular Culture

Reindeer have also advanced from time to time to the modern popularity of fiction, movies, and television shows. They have been described with fun and loving characteristics as a species that enjoys jokes, is diligent, and is not devoid of mischief. Some authors even expand the team and create new reindeer or depict new adventures for the main characters.

This evolving reindeer of Santa is a symbol of the constant transformation of the events of Christmas. As the tales of the reindeer changed from the time of publication, the styles of decorations changed as well. For example, Rudolph’s glowing red nose evokes the warm, magical ambience created by Christmas tree decorations like fairy lights and glowing ornaments. Check out our blog on How to Decorate a Christmas Tree for Any Theme and Style for ideas on how to make your Christmas decorations look the way you want them to. 

Fun Facts About Santa’s Reindeer

Following are some fun Christmas facts about all the reindeer and their magic that you don’t want to miss out on!

• Origins in Norse Mythology: The concept of reindeer flying in the air wasn’t random; it originated from the mythology of the Norse god Odin, who used to ride an eight-legged horse in the sky. 

• Names with a Twist: Two of the reindeer named “Donner” and “Blitzen” have their names from the German language, where donner means thunder and Blitzen is lighting. 

• Pop Culture Influence: Reindeer are now a staple in holiday movies, from The Polar Express to Elf.

We love to make our Christmas decorations more specific, including Christmas stockings and tree ornaments. If you want to explore unique stocking ideas, check out our blog on Best Christmas Stockings Ideas for Christmas.

Decorating with Reindeer-Inspired Themes

How many reindeer are there that you can put up on your Christmas decorations? These reindeer aren’t just tales to be told; they inspire the spirit of festivals. You can set a reindeer-inspired theme for the upcoming Christmas with these ideas!

1. Reindeer Ornaments: Adorn your tree with reindeer-shaped decorations or personalized ornaments featuring the names of Santa’s reindeer. For tips on tree themes, read our blog on How to Make Pine Cone Christmas Tree Decorations.

2. Stocking Designs : Choose stockings with reindeer patterns or create custom designs that highlight your favourite reindeer.

3. Tabletop Decor : Mini reindeer figurines can be part of your holiday centrepiece, paired with other Christmas elements like pinecones and candles.

How Many Reindeer Are There Really?

The number of reindeer typically associated with Santa at least is generally agreed to be about eight or nine, including Rudolph, although more recent stories and renderings of the legend are free to expand the cast. Due to this flexibility, families then build and invent the unique team to which the sleigh belongs, making it interactive and exciting.

Tying It All Together with Reindeer Magic

Reindeer is the magic of Christmas and the first fantasy of every child, which symbolizes the wonder and joy of the season. Whether you’re learning about how many reindeer Santa have or decorating your home with reindeer-inspired accents, these iconic animals bring a sense of nostalgia and excitement to holiday celebrations.

Shop From Santa’Ville

Visit Santa’Ville to find all the joy of Christmas in one place! From decorations that bring meaning to your family, like couples ornaments, baby’s first Christmas ornament, or cat ornaments to include your feline friends. We have it all; visit our blog or shop from our page to summon your hidden holiday spirit.