Reindeer’s Wish by Jenny McWhinney

Is it just us or do you think reindeer are fascinating as well?

Perhaps the mystique comes from the fact that ever since we were kids, reindeer have been synonymous with Father Christmas.

Which somehow meant that if you were to see a reindeer, surely it might be one of Santa’s herd? That’s logical right?

How much do we even know about reindeers anyway?

Before we get to that, perhaps we need to provide some context as to our curiosity.

If you are yet to enjoy a copy of Inspirations magazine issue #128, you are definitely missing out.

Inside you’ll find a truly magical project called Reindeer’s Wish by the maker of many magical things, the one and only Jenny McWhinney.

Reindeer’s Wish is one of the most charming Christmas ornaments you are likely to see and depicts a reindeer that looks like she just stepped off the page of a Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, glancing longingly overhead.

The top half of the design is framed perfectly with a festive garland replete with everything to entice a reindeer, as is evident by her very focused stare, finished with a golden pinecone held in place with a fabulous red bow.

So back to our question – what do we know about reindeer?

Well, they live in Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions, hence their association with the North Pole.

They sport broad, furry hooves that act like snowshoes to help them dig through snow for food and they have a thick double coat, including hollow hairs, that traps warmth in extreme cold.

In winter they survive mainly on lichens (often called ‘reindeer moss’), which probably explains why our reindeer is staring so intently at that garland.

Finally, while both males and females grow antlers (which is unusual among deer) males usually shed theirs in late autumn, while females often keep theirs through winter – a fact that has led to the fun observation that Santa’s reindeer must be female!

Now that we know more about these amazing creatures, our childhood suspicions don’t seem as far-fetched.

Reindeer actually are quite magical creatures who really do have a touch of mystery and wonder about them.

So perhaps that longing glance Jenny has stitched isn’t just for the garland above, but for the magic of Christmas itself – the same magic we felt when we believed Santa’s herd might be waiting just outside the window.

With Reindeer’s Wish, Jenny has given us the chance to capture some of that magic in thread. Every stitch of his soft fur, every detail of the festive garland overhead, helps to bring this moment to life.

Whether you hang the finished decoration on your own tree or gift it to a loved one, this project is a reminder of how needlework can turn tradition, imagination, and wonder into something tangible. A stitched keepsake to treasure each Christmas, year after year.