Asking, ‘What do reindeer eat?’ is a common question at Christmas – as families with young children decide what they should leave out for Santa and his reindeer on Christmas Eve.
There’s no doubt that family traditions are a huge part of Christmas; joining together to carry out our own special rituals is what we remember from when we were small children, not the gifts.
Santa Claus would be very sad if the tradition of feeding him and his hungry reindeers was forgotten. In every country he receives something different to eat and drink and in some countries it’s just the animals who are fed so he never gets bored or full. I wonder which is his favourite treat?
Santa treats in the UK and US
There are slight variations in each family but Santa usually gets a glass of milk, beer or whisky and then biscuits to munch on. Rudolph and his pals are given the healthy option of carrots but the new trend of lighting their way with ‘reindeer food’ laced with glitter adds the taste of oats and magic into their diet.
The Netherlands
In the Netherlands it is Sinterklaas and his eight-legged horse who deliver the presents. On Christmas Eve, Dutch children leave out water, hay and carrots for the horse. Sinterklaas won’t mind as he is full up with cookies and biscuits so needs to give his stomach a rest.
Denmark and Sweden
In Denmark Santa is known as Julemand and he is treated to a dish of sweet rice pudding called Risengrod. A million or so bowls of this probably sits quite heavy in his tummy so he is pleased just to be given coffee for good digestion and energy in Sweden.
Germany
The children in Germany believe that Weihnachtsmann appreciates the gift of reading over more food so they leave him books to read on his long journey.
It’s hot in Australia at Christmas time so Santa’s job can be thirsty work. Families make sure he stays refreshed and jolly by leaving him a nice cold beer. He gets cookies to line his stomach and the reindeers enjoy their carrots and water.
Argentina
In Argentina gifts are left out on the 5th January for the Magi, the kings who are on their journey to meet the baby Jesus in Bethlehem. Children collect hay and provide water for the king’s horses to give them the energy to reach their precious goal.
Chile
Santa is called Viejo Pascuero, or Old Man Christmas, in Chile. Children leave him the delicious dish of Pan de Pascua, a sponge cake sweetened with honey and given a zing of ginger, it’s a perfect energy food.
The tradition of giving gifts and treats for Santa, along with wondering what do reindeer eat, has spread around the world. Leaving food and drink out is a great way to teach children about sharing and saying ‘thank you’ for any gifts they might receive at Christmas time.
If you have a strange tradition in your family, then let the Christmas.co.uk team know!
FAQs
How often do they eat? A: Santa feeds them hay and reindeer feed, with the occasional graham cracker Christmas cookie as a treat. They also eat mosses, grass (when it's not covered with snow, that is!) and lichens. They get to eat the hay any time they want, but they get their reindeer feed twice a day.
What does Santa eat at Christmas? ›
- In the United States, many children leave a glass of milk and a plate of cookies for Santa. ...
- Although Australians also leave cookies for Santa to snack on, they replace the glass of milk with a cold glass of beer. ...
- Some Irish families leave a pint of Guinness for Santa on the eve of Christmas.
"The reindeer are partial to red apples, carrots, barley, magic reindeer food and plenty of water," Canter continued.
What is the tradition of reindeer food at Christmas? ›
After all, they get hungry on Christmas Eve, too. The theory behind the magic dust is that if it's sprinkled outside your house, the starlight shining on the sugar will guide the reindeer to you for their present drop and give them a munch of oats to keep up their stamina for the next stop on their journey.
What can you feed the reindeer for Christmas? ›
Reindeer food mix
- A handful of wild bird seeds - this may include sunflower hearts, naked rolled oats, dried mealworms, yellow millet, kibbled peanuts and black sunflower seeds - this is what helps the reindeer fly!
- A few rolled oats.
The Perfect Snack for Santa's Caribou
If you're going to leave a treat for Santa's reindeer this Christmas, we recommend: mushrooms, alfalfa sprouts, carrots, or beets (although they may not eat all the beets).
What is Santa's favorite meal? ›
Santa loves his white milk and cookies, but after stopping at every child's home, give Santa Claus some flavored milk for a tasty surprise. Or switch out the milk for some holiday eggnog! Put your own twist on holiday traditions this year with your family.
What foods for Santa Claus? ›
Here are the most popular ones.
- Gingerbread, cookies, shortbread – all the biscuits. By far the most popular choice, Santa definitely loves his bikkies. ...
- Mince pies. ...
- A glass of milk. ...
- A glass of water. ...
- All types of alcohol. ...
- An invoice. ...
- Cheese and Jatz. ...
- Homemade oat sprinkle.
Of course, Santa loves to chase his cookies with a glass of milk because it's tasty, but it also him helps endure the long road ahead of him. Milk provides 13 essential nutrients that give Santa the ability to lead his reindeer to all the kiddos around the world expecting to see their favorite toy on Christmas morning.
Can Santa's reindeer eat apples? ›
They eat alfalfa hay, Reindeer feed, apples as a treat and they LOVE raisins!! So on Christmas Eve, when you leave cookies for Santa, don't forget a small dish of raisins for the Reindeer.
Myth 2 – Reindeer eat carrots
Recent surveys have suggested that British people leave out around 3,000 tonnes of carrots for Rudolph to eat every Christmas Eve. But we aren't sure where this tradition stems from as they do not grow in sub-Arctic habitats, and reindeer physically can't eat carrots.
What do Santa's reindeer like to drink? ›
Believe it or not, the most simple and desired food that reindeer want is water. Water is so important for them and they really appreciate being able to drink water while Santa is in the house. Many times, Santa has to go get them water when he is at a house.
What do Santa's reindeer eat? ›
Like other subspecies of caribou, Santa's reindeer eat the leaves of willows, sedges, flowering tundra plants, and mushrooms during the summer. They switch to lichens (reindeer moss), dried sedges (grass-like plants), and small shrubs (like blueberry) in September.
What is a female reindeer called? ›
Male ("bull") and female ("cow") reindeer can grow antlers annually, although the proportion of females that grow antlers varies greatly between populations.
What is reindeer meat called? ›
In current usage, the term venison is used to describe the meat of a deer or antelope. Venison comes from animals such as our native whitetail deer, reindeer, moose, elk, and several non-native animals such as red deer, axis deer, fallow deer, sika deer, blackbuck antelope, and nilgai antelope.
Do Santa's reindeer eat candy canes? ›
They eat a lot of green stuff — bushes, leaves, roots and just about anything that grows. But sweet things like berries and other fruit they just love but can only have a little bit of or they get sick to their stomaches. Candy canes are just too sweet and the minty flavor give them a stomach ache.
What does Santa feed his reindeer to make them fly? ›
Santa feeds them a special food on Christmas Eve that makes them fly. It is called “Magic Dust.” The Reindeer Keepers are not allowed to feed the herd Magic Dust or there'd be flying reindeer all over Hershey!
