I love holiday traditions! Halloween, Fourth of July, Christmas, Hanukkah — you name it, there is something so special about the rituals and traditions that come with each one. But one of my absolute favorite Christmas Eve traditions comes from my son’s preschool teacher. It is Reindeer Food!

How It All Started

One day, my son came home from preschool clutching a little bag with the biggest smile on his face. It was Magic Reindeer Food — and I had absolutely no idea what it was! Thankfully, his teacher had tucked a little poem inside the bag that explained everything:

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

I was completely charmed by this idea and couldn’t wait to give it a try.

Our First Christmas Eve

That first Christmas Eve was absolutely perfect. It was chilly, but not frigid, and the moon shone brightly in the night sky. My boys and I gathered on the porch and sprinkled the Magic Reindeer Food all across the yard. It made the whole night feel so much more magical and festive — one of those moments I will never forget!

Reindeer Food: Our New Christmas Eve Tradition

We had such a wonderful time that I vowed right then and there to make Magic Reindeer Food a Christmas Eve tradition in our family. Luckily, my boys were young enough in that first year not to remember it, so the years that followed felt like a brand-new surprise every single time!

In fact, one Christmas morning, I heard my eldest son come running and yelling — “Mom! Come quickly! Santa stopped by while we were sleeping. He left us some reindeer food!”

I mean, honestly — does it get any better than that?!

 Reindeer Food Recipe

The best part about this tradition is how incredibly simple it is to make!

What You Need:

✔️½ cup of oatmeal

✔️Red or green glitter — add enough to make it sparkle!

✔️A small jar or container

✔️A label and some ribbon

How to Make Reindeer Food:

1. Combine the oatmeal and glitter in a bowl and mix together.
2. Add enough glitter to make it nice and sparkly!
3. Place the mixture in a small jar or container.
4. Add a label and tie it with some ribbon.

Over the years, I have used all kinds of containers, but I have found that an empty spice jar works absolutely perfectly — so start saving your empty jars now! They are just the right size and look so cute with a little label and ribbon tied around the top.

Note: If you are concerned about glitter on the lawn or the possible effects on wildlife, simply swap the glitter for colored sugar or sprinkles instead — it works just as beautifully.

This tradition is perfect for toddlers all the way through early elementary age. Kids absolutely love the ritual of sprinkling the food on the lawn on Christmas Eve — it makes the magic of Santa feel so real and so close!

Whether you make it as a family tradition, a classroom activity, or a sweet little gift for a neighbor, Magic Reindeer Food is one of those simple things that creates the most lasting memories. I hope it becomes a tradition in your home too!

If you would like a copy of the Reindeer Food poem, click HERE.  I have updated the document and now offer 12 different versions to choose from!

Have you tried Magic Reindeer Food with your family? Leave a comment below!