Santa's Reindeer

[Viking01]

Perhaps some-one can assist me with an answer to a simple question.

I was asked recently which country do Santa's reindeer hail from, and
I had to admit that I didn't know the answer.

I have done a number of Google searches today, but could not find a
satisfactory answer.

I was very reluctant to ask some of my Scandinavian friends, especially
in these politically sensitive times, just in case I suddenly found myself
in the middle of some kind of Scandinavian turf war.

The Dutch side of the wider family have already insisted Dunder en Blixem
were Dutch ('thunder' and 'lightning'), but I just know the Germans in the
audience will disagree and insist that they were actually German (simply
a common mispronunciation of Donner und Blitzen).

So, which country do they come from ?

Are they Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, German, Russian (even) ... ?

Please, no, I hope they're not Russian, not after this last year and all
its political troubles. I don't want to have to try and explain how Santa
managed to get air traffic approval for flight across North American air
space with Russian reindeer.

Anyway, if one of you kind people could assist me, that would be very
much appreciated. I look forward to your replies.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy 2018 to you all.

Cheers,
Viking

[Laava]

I hate to be the one to tell you this...but here goes...Santa isn't real! It was probably your dad that ate the milk and cookies and def your parents that left the presents...sorry about that!

[ellipsis]

...disneyland...

[T.W.R]

Reindeer depicted as Santa's reindeer come from Lapland In Finland

[ellipsis]

Reindeer depicted as Santa's reindeer come from Lapland In Finland

...the dancers came later...

[T.W.R]

...the dancers came later...

you seen the majority of laplandic females....they'd leave skid marks a mile long

[ellipsis]

you seen the majority of laplandic females....they'd leave skid marks a mile long

...that sounds like stereotyping to me...Lapp boys probably think they are cool, which temperature wise would equate...

[T.W.R]

...that sounds like stereotyping to me...Lapp boys probably think they are cool, which temperature wise would equate...

Sami people keepin the gene pool tight for centuries can you tell who the females are

[husaberg]

Sami people keepin the gene pool tight for centuries can you tell who the females are

Easy they are the ones who can't parallel park the sled, Or read the map.

[russd7]

Sami people keepin the gene pool tight for centuries can you tell who the females are

an overtly happy looking bunch

[oldrider]

Perhaps some-one can assist me with an answer to a simple question.

I was asked recently which country do Santa's reindeer hail from, and
I had to admit that I didn't know the answer.

I have done a number of Google searches today, but could not find a
satisfactory answer.

I was very reluctant to ask some of my Scandinavian friends, especially
in these politically sensitive times, just in case I suddenly found myself
in the middle of some kind of Scandinavian turf war.

The Dutch side of the wider family have already insisted Dunder en Blixem
were Dutch ('thunder' and 'lightning'), but I just know the Germans in the
audience will disagree and insist that they were actually German (simply
a common mispronunciation of Donner und Blitzen).

So, which country do they come from ?

Are they Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Dutch, German, Russian (even) ... ?

Please, no, I hope they're not Russian, not after this last year and all
its political troubles. I don't want to have to try and explain how Santa
managed to get air traffic approval for flight across North American air
space with Russian reindeer.

Anyway, if one of you kind people could assist me, that would be very
much appreciated. I look forward to your replies.

A Merry Christmas and a Happy 2018 to you all.

Cheers,
Viking

They are Australian! - Ask any Aussie!

[TheDemonLord]

They are Delicious....

[Viking01]

They are Australian! - Ask any Aussie!

Oldrider,

Greetings. Thanks for the reply. At least you didn't try and "shoot down my
sleigh", unlike the writer who even questioned Santa's existence. Let alone
the reindeer.

But I think this Australian link might be a little tenuous. I think what you may
be referring to are those "kangaroos with the fake antlers" that they put up
in some of those Australian malls (so Cassina reliably informed me).

Not very convincing, I know. But then again, considering the audience that
Santa has to play to across the waters, it's probably enough to do the job.
No offence intended to our Australian neighbours.

Cheers,
Viking

[granstar]

Mr-Sir Attenbourgh did a docu in Norway some time ago, here is a snippet that may allude to the answer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq9pLiNLNrY

But wait, don't rush off to lick your candy cane, there is more... Finland Lapland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_E9TBPeDl0

But burning question (pun) what is the secret ingredient in super lichen?

[Viking01]

Mr-Sir Attenbourgh did a docu in Norway some time ago, here is a snippet that may allude to the answer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq9pLiNLNrY

But wait, don't rush off and lick you candy cane, there is more... Finland Lapland

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_E9TBPeDl0

But burning question (pun) what is the secret ingredient in super lichen?

Granstar,

Greetings, and thanks for the two videos you posted. I think that we may be
close to the answer.

TWR mentioned earlier that the reindeer hailed from Finland (herded by the Sami
people). And I think that he's probably right. Full marks.

As it so happens, a Finnish friend of ours dropped in for a visit (and for a pre-
Christmas beverage) last night, so I asked her what was the situation. She was
most adamant.

Her words were: "Santa's reindeer come from Finland. There is no doubt at all.
Yes, of course, the Norwegians and the Swedes may try to say otherwise, but
I would dump that claim into the same basket as Australian Pavlova is placed".

So, there you have it, straight from the reindeer's mouth, so to speak. [I did
say that this might be a contentious subject for Scandinavians].

While the first video clip you posted - from the BBC with David Attenborough -
was well presented, I still have my doubts. Not only was it filmed in Norway,
but "water training for reindeer in preparation for the big night" - well, yes,
plausible, I suppose, but I'm not convinced.

I found the second video clip far more convincing. First of all, you had the
"big man himself" presenting, and then he started talking about what the
reindeer like to eat (their liking for lichen, and for magic mushrooms).

I mean, if you were going to have to do a "big trip" and stay awake for an
extended period of time?

So I think that I'm leaning towards the Finnish option at this stage. I'll keep
an open mind, just in case new information comes to hand.


As to your last question: What is the special ingredient in super lichen?

Well, I'm not sure that I can answer that question. I will however ask the wife,
as she is the forensic toxicologist in the family.

I will however say that in the photo you also posted, I'm not sure that it was
lichen that Santa was carrying in his bag. They look awfully like some of the
Police samples that I've seen submitted to the wife's lab for drug analysis.
And it may also account for his perpetual smile. Just saying.

Cheers,
Viking