Reindeer, Special Holiday Edition 2021 (Schleich)

Review and images by Saarlooswolfhound; edited by bmathison1972

Happy Holidays everyone! Whatever you celebrate this season, I do hope that it is holly and jolly and fun! Just like this special edition Schleich reindeer model (Rangifer tarandus). Released late in the year of 2021 as part of a holiday special release, it is a festive reindeer model. Listed as item number #72168, and is a repaint of the original figure from 2020 #14837. Transitioning from the typical tundra scheme of dark brown with white points to a lighter tan and white, this new model also sports a flashy set of candy cane antlers, a comical red nose, as well as a stamp on it’s left side hip of some classic holly leaves and berries. It clearly is a holiday treat all dressed up in this fashion.

Having already written a review of the Mojo Fun reindeer pair two years ago, I will digress from too much repeated info on the real animals. The basics include that this animal is a northern latitude dwelling group, they congregate in large herds to migrate, eat a variety of plant material, have incredible eyesight to counteract snow reflection, and that female reindeer can grow antlers as well. They are truly remarkable animals.

Perhaps more fun to discuss may be the reason why this reindeer model is decked out in holiday garb…reindeer have been integral to the mythology of Arctic peoples for centuries. Given that these animals are so paramount to their survival in that extreme landscape (the Arctic of North America, Europe, and Asia), this makes plenty of sense. The mythology of Santa Claus (and his many varied iterations) are also very complex and I will try to avoid too much information here. The connection between the two however would not be made until the 19th Century in an anonymous poem titled A New Year’s Present (they are only mentioned in a single line however). Later on, the famous A Visit from St. Nicholas (The Night Before Christmas) by Professor Clement Clarke Moore cemented the relationship between the reindeer and Mr. Claus for decades to come. The original names given to the animals in the poem are German in origin (there is variable spelling but the common denominations are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen). In another hundred years, the most famous of these animals would come along, Rudolph. His infamous nose is likely the inspiration for this particular special edition given that it is not a biologically probable phenotypic trait. The also famous soda company, Coca-Cola, created this character in the Christmas mythology during the 1920s and it has been a remarkably successful advertising campaign. To this day Rudolph is a highly recognizable character of the holiday and a favorite of many children and adults who maintain that child-like wonder for the season.

Given the festive nature of this special edition it may be a turn off for some collectors. However, the sculpt is still of collector quality (unaltered from the original release of #14837), the model has simply been spruced up for the season and the occasion. The coat colors are more so reminiscent of a domestic variety of reindeer, but the realism ends there of course. The model itself is a lighthearted depiction of the holiday season, and whether you celebrate during this time of year or not, it remains as easily recognizable of historical mythology, childlike play, and wonder. If you are lucky enough to snag one, it will brighten your shelf, and your holiday seasons, for many years to come.

With the original version from 2020: