You’re sure to be the envy of your neighborhood with this charming log reindeer on the front porch to welcome guests. Or position him in your garden or on a deck looking inside. Wherever the reindeer resides, he’ll be a popular addition to your holiday tradition. We’ve been reusing our Rudolph for years by dismantling and carefully storing his body, head, neck, and legs in a box. The antlers and tail, made of tree branches, are fragile and difficult to store so we replace them each year we reinvent him. This building project is especially fun for kids, who can gather all the body parts and assemble them.
Since the reindeer is made of unsplit firewood and tree branches, there’s no cost to make one, but you'll see them selling for $25 to $50, depending on their size.
Here are some guidelines for the size of their parts: a log that’s four to six inches in diameter and about 20 inches long will make about a 6-inch head and 12-inch body. For legs, use four 24-inch long, 1-inch diameter branches, and a 2-inch diameter branch for the neck. For antlers and a tail, find 1/2-inch branches about eight to 12 inches long.
To make your own reindeer or a herd of them, you'll need a saw, electric drill with spade bits, utility knife, and some wood glue. Cut the firewood to make a body and head, and drill holes at angles for the neck, legs, antlers, and tail. Whittle their ends to fit into the holes and glue on some button eyes. Decorate the neck with a colorful bow or bandanna.
