This Reindeer Food post has been updated from the original 2013 post. I’ve updated the supply list and there is even a NEW smaller gift tag printable for you to use afterwards. This way you can gift a few bags of reindeer food to friends and family, as well! Enjoy! #gluedtomycrafts

Reindeer Food Craft For Christmas Eve – w/Free Gift Tag Printable

There are so many holiday traditions I want to start with Lil Man. I just want the holidays to be extra magical and memorable for him. Maybe it’s because I didn’t have that growing up? OR it’s just the crafty mom screaming to come out. Either which way – I plan on doing a lot of stuff in the coming years that I hope he appreciates when he gets older!

So anyways… while searching for new ideas for our Christmas Bucket List, I kept on coming across the idea of Reindeer Food.

I have never heard of it before but after looking on Pinterest, everyone and their mama was doing it. Basically it’s just a simple thing for kids to do Christmas Eve and have the “reindeer of Santa’s sleigh” find your home.

After looking at how simple it was and how inexpensive the supplies were, I decided it had to be done.

We were recently snowed in Wednesday, so it was perfect time to pull it off. I gathered the supplies from our pantry and we set up shop on the kitchen table. Lil Man became a baker and was stirring up a storm. The next thing I know, our Elf on the Shelf {another tradition I really like} was helping out too.

Here is what you need to recreate this reindeer food craft idea with your child:

Reindeer Food Craft Supplies:

* Dry Uncooked Oatmeal
* Holiday Sprinkles
* Gift Bags
* Ribbon
* Large Bowl
* Spoon for Mixing

Directions:

Since our 2013 post, people have mentioned to me, not to use glitter in your reindeer food. The glitter could be harmful to the environment. I’m leaving the original pictures in this tutorial, up in the post for an example but the supply list has been updated :)

I didn’t put exact amounts in the supply list because it’s honestly up to you {and your child} on how much you want to make/mix together.

Most recipes I found online said 1 cup of dry oatmeal. That is about how much we used.

Then I eye-balled the sprinkles and glitter. If you do more or less, or don’t do sprinkles – it’s really not going to mess up the fun of it. It’s the overall concept of it!!!

As for the directions – those are fairly simple. Just combine all your ingredients into one bowl. {My son did a scoop of this & that – a sprinkle of glitter etc. He really got into “baking” the food} Once your reindeer food is mixed, pour into a bag and save for Christmas Eve.

Want the FREE GIFT TAG DOWNLOAD?! 

And because I LOVE my readers, I’ve included a FREE printable that I designed with the reindeer food poem {this way everyone knows what to do with the oatmeal mixture when they receive it!}

The printable is free! Just download HERE, print and use them as gift tags because you will probably make more reindeer food than you know what to do with and gifting some of yours will encourage other friends {with our gift tag} to make the tradition spread on!

And although the printable is free, there are some rules to follow. Please only use this FREE printable for personal use. No sales or using it for personal gain. Give credit where it’s due! Then come Christmas Eve – sprinkle it all over your lawn with your child so Santa’s reindeer will find their way.

P.S. Isn’t this a fun tradition? What fun traditions do you do Christmas Eve? Share with us in the comments section or come join the conversation on our Facebook page! I love hearing from you!!! #gluedtomycrafts