Make Eco-Friendly Reindeer Food This Christmas
Make eco-friendly Reindeer Food this Christmas to leave out for Rudolph & the team. It’s more edible for the animals & won’t wash into the waterways like traditional glitter.
Eallu is a Sami word that describes a herd of reindeer, by their coloring, girth, stage of life or branching pattern of antlers. It also refers to the herd’s herders, their ancestors and the culture they inherited.
1. Oats
Oats are a great dairy alternative and a sustainable choice. They require less water to grow than other dairy products and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than cow milk.
While reindeer milk is a unique and premium option, it’s not as widely available as oats and is more expensive. Furthermore, reindeer food made with glitter and other non-biodegradable ingredients is a problem for wildlife. Once it is scattered outside, it becomes litter that can harm animals and contaminate the environment.
The RSPCA warns parents against sprinkling glittery “reindeer food” in the garden, advising that it can cause long-term damage to birds and other small mammals if ingested. Instead, make your own animal-friendly reindeer food with this easy recipe. Mix all the ingredients and spoon into a small bag or jar, then staple our free printable reindeer food toppers on.
2. Seeds
Many people sprinkle “reindeer food” outside their homes on Christmas Eve to help Santa and his reindeers find their way. However, many of the packages you can buy contain things that are bad for real reindeer and other wildlife. Instead, try making your own Magic Reindeer Food with a few simple ingredients.
Start with a base of birdseed and oats, and add red and green sugar or sprinkles. If you want to make it more festive, use dried cranberries and corn, or even crushed candy canes.
Be sure to put it out in a container that is eco-friendly and safe for wildlife, such as an empty glass jar or a paper bag. Avoid adding glitter, which is essentially tiny bits of plastic. It’s also not good for birds or other garden wildlife.
3. Glitter
Glitter is not safe for animals, and should be omitted from reindeer food recipes. Ingesting glitter can cause blockages in the digestive tract, and it’s not biodegradable, so it takes years to break down in the environment.
Instead, use red and green edible sanding sugar to add sparkle to your magic reindeer food recipe. This way, you can still make a fun family tradition without worrying about whether or not the glitter is safe for wildlife.
Make your reindeer food on Christmas Eve and sprinkle it outside to guide Santa’s sleigh to your home that night. You can also sprinkle it in the garden for the local birds to munch on, and they’ll appreciate it as much as your kids will! Download our cute reindeer food bag toppers below.
4. Nuts
Glitter looks pretty, but it’s bad for the environment, reindeer and wildlife (like birds, squirrels and other rodents that may be tempted to take a nibble).
Instead, add some crunch with toasted coconut or nuts. Toasting the nuts and coconut reduces their oil content, making them less greasy and a healthier choice.
Try adding some coloured sprinkles, or red sugar strands to the mix – these are also much better for the environment and are more appealing to picky reindeer. You can also try a little cinnamon, which tastes great and smells good too.
Package the reindeer food into small bags or pouches and tie them with a ribbon. Leave it out on your lawn on Christmas Eve.
5. Fruits
As you know, kids (& adults) all over the world love making magic reindeer food to sprinkle outside on Christmas Eve – a sparkly path for Santa’s helpers to guide him to your house. But many of the reindeer food’recipes’ you find on the internet or in shops contain glitter which is not good for flying reindeer, other wildlife and birds.
Glitter is actually tiny bits of plastic which can harm animals if they ingest it. This is why it’s important to make your own magical reindeer food using sustainable ingredients that will also be safe for other winter wildlife & birds.
Try our simple & easy-to-make recipe that you can mix up a day or two before the big night and store in a little bag to toss out. And don’t forget to add your magic wish!