Magic Carrots

@owlwings (43910)
Cambridge, England
December 20, 2015 3:22am CST
Carrots are not part of a reindeer’s normal diet, which is, reportedly, moss and lichen scraped from under the snow. Why, then, is it a tradition to leave carrots for the reindeer by the fireside, along with the mince pie or cookies and the glass of milk (or something stronger)? Carrots are, of course, well known for helping one see in the dark and this is the usual reason I give when asked the question, but is there another reason? Inquiring minds would like to know! Do you have any other suggestions?
15 people like this
17 responses
Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
20 Dec 15
Maybe the reindeer use the pointed end of the carrots as a spike to anchor their self to a sloping roof while waiting for Santa to deliver some presents.
4 people like this
Just an Ordinary Owl?
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
20 Dec 15
That's a good one! I like it (though whether it would appeal to the literal mind of a 6 year old has to be tested).
1 person likes this
Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
20 Dec 15
@owlwings It should do because it was written by someone with the mind of a 6 year old.
1 person likes this
AbbyGreenhill
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
20 Dec 15
I don't think it's a tradition here to leave carrots for deer, most they leave them full of bullets.
2 people like this
Just an Ordinary Owl?
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
20 Dec 15
Who would be so mean as to shoot Santa's reindeer!
Just an Ordinary Owl?
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
21 Dec 15
@AbbyGreenhill I'd post a poll (if it were allowed) asking who's having venison for Christmas.
AbbyGreenhill
@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
21 Dec 15
@owlwings Many people, but non in this house for sure.
1 person likes this
AmberLynn
@ScribbledAdNauseum (104628)
• United States
20 Dec 15
Oh wow! It has been such a long time since I've heard about leaving carrots for the reindeer. I don't think we ever did, but I remember hearing it way back when. am thinking carrots sounded better than moss and lichen to tell the kids.
2 people like this
Jabo
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
20 Dec 15
I've never thought about it. I know that horses love carrots, perhaps people just assumed reindeers would too.
2 people like this
Jekca
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
20 Dec 15
someone didn't have cookies in their home and tried to convince their ticked off minions that it was ok to leave out veggies! lol
2 people like this
Rozena Sultan
@rozenass (53)
• Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela
20 Dec 15
Since i was small i always hear they say that rabbits eats carrots, carrots are very good also for eyesight, you can take some raw carrots for stomach aches. Carrot juice with celery helps keep down stress.Have a good day
2 people like this
Heather Echola
@GardenGerty (160677)
• United States
26 Dec 15
I may make some carrot and celery juice for me. Carrot juice is very sweet.
rebel_woman06
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
27 Jan 16
I don't even know that there is a tradition like that for a carrot .
1 person likes this
Bluedoll
@Bluedoll (16773)
• Canada
20 Dec 15
Carrots are healthy and who knows maybe they do make one see better. I am not sure if a little rum or brandy is in order. You know it can get chilly out there. But that might someone a red nose.
2 people like this
LK2018
@Letranknight2015 (51964)
• Philippines
20 Dec 15
maybe you could that as a snowman's nose.of course, we don't make snow man here, i will just ate it.
2 people like this
Anna
@LadyDuck (471541)
• Switzerland
20 Dec 15
I know that carrots are part of German Christmas festivities and in their tradition horses bring Santa and not the reindeer. I suppose that the American followed the tradition changing the animals.
1 person likes this
Just an Ordinary Owl?
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
20 Dec 15
That's something I didn't know and, yes, I think it's quite possible that the horses got changed for reindeer but the tradition of leaving a carrot lingered on.
1 person likes this
Wendy789
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
20 Dec 15
I think Santa was meant to show up with horses, and carrots are for them. Then someone decided to put Santa in North Pole, and ofc there ain't no horses there... So reindeer will have to do. Btw, shouldn't Santa be rocking up with someone motorcycle and leather jacket these days? Therefore something stronger than milk is defo needed!
1 person likes this
Just an Ordinary Owl?
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
20 Dec 15
I, too, feel that Santa should upgrade his conveyance. So many times do I come across the very awkward question that sleighs are made for snow and there ain't no snow for many people at Christmas!
1 person likes this
Wendy789
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
20 Dec 15
@owlwings yep and can you imagine how is Santa going to get presents to Africa!
1 person likes this
julito
@antonbunot (11093)
• Calgary, Alberta
20 Dec 15
I never know that reindeers eat carrots. I thought it's only rabbits who love to eat carrots.
1 person likes this
Just an Ordinary Owl?
@owlwings (43910)
• Cambridge, England
21 Dec 15
Perhaps there's been some confusion between Santa's reindeer and the Easter bunny!
pgn
@pgntwo (22408)
• Derry, Northern Ireland
20 Dec 15
The carrot features lots in Disney's Frozen:
1 person likes this
The Horse
@TheHorse (218891)
• Walnut Creek, California
21 Dec 15
I'm just lazy. It's a long drive to the nearest lichen.
1 person likes this
Heather Echola
@GardenGerty (160677)
• United States
26 Dec 15
Because on Christmas Eve they work like a horse or a mule and should have the kind of treats those beasts enjoy. (just a guess). Most likely cause no one knows any better.
amnabas
@amnabas (14141)
• Karachi, Pakistan
20 Dec 15
No idea about that even I learned a new thing from your post.
1 person likes this
MARILYN
@Marilynda1225 (82799)
• United States
20 Dec 15
When my children were young we always left a carrot for Rudolf and cookies & milk for Santa. Guess I've always just assumed that reindeer like carrots, In fact, the deer in our area think nothing of eating peoples gardens. Hope someone knows the answer