Inspired by the ever so famous “Elf on the shelf” (But turned into a cute reindeeer because the elf-doll is argueably a bit scary looking ^^’) and lovingly known as the “Elk on the shelf” (But not oficially since elk are entirely different animals to reindeer)
Dixy is a little Reindeer.
Very little indeed.
In fact, he’s so little, he hasn’t even learned to fly yet! Which is a shame, since learning to fly is his biggest dream in the whole world! (Right after having a whole tin of christmas cookies all for himself)
Why does he want to learn to fly so bad?
To be part of giving everyone a magical, wonderful christmas of course! (And because the shelf on which the elves sore the best cookies is quite high up, and reindeer hoves make for terrible ladder-climbing-abillities)
But surely his little disagreement with gravity won’t stop him spreading some magic and whimsey around your home, will it?
Get The Free Pattern
The pattern is currently only available as a free PDF download on ravelry.
If ravelry isn’t acessible to you, feel free to send me an e-mail letting me know you’d like to get the pattern, and I’ll send you the pattern. (For free as well, of course)
Please send your request to: wildflower-fibercrafts@protonmail.com
Elvish Inspiration
Dixy is designed after the “Elf of the shelf”, which means – if you choose – he’s perfectly suitable for fulfilling a similar role around your home during the christmas season!
Traditionally, the “Elf on the shelf” is Santa’s official scout-elf, that the children of the household can find in a different location every morning, after he travelled to the north pole during the night, to report on wether the children have been naughty or nice. (obviously something, in which the parents/carers of the have no involvment in setting up whatsoever ;D)
However, this is pedagogically… questionable.
It doesn’t teach children to be good people – it just teaches them to be sneaky about doing things, they’re not supposed to.
Personally, I also don’t agree at all with the concept of framing christmas presents as something that needs to be earned. Payment has to be earned, sure, but not presents!
Do we really want to teach, that presents are a payment instead of something we (or Santa or the Christkind or whoever comes to your christmas) want and choose give?
I personally think, thinking of giving as a choice we all get to make, and that you’re worthy of kindness -period!- is so much better!
And do we want to teach “I have to be a good person so I get things in return!” or “I want to be a good person because it makes myself and others happy!”?
And what about neurodivergent children?
When even home is a place where you’re constantly judged and watched ? (A frankly creepy and bad enough thing as it is, for everyone to experience!)
Home should be a safe space to be yourself (And especially for neurodivergent children dealing with things like meltdowns, that can never be “well behaved” at all times, which is perfectly fine!),
not just another judge’s chamber, reinforcing excessive masking and self monitoring!
So instead of sitting a judgemental little stalker in front of whatever loved ones we want to do our version of this little christmas tradition for, here are some other ideas on how to have a little magic-spreading helper around:
– Let them be a bit silly
– Let them actually “do things”
– let them “help out”
– If you want them to be mischevious,
don’t be mean about it! (Don’t use them to play destructive or scary pranks on the people you’re supposed to give a safe home to)
There’s thousands of ideas online, on how to make the elf-tradition friendly, silly and fun, setting up little scenes for children to find in the morning, and leave out the judgement.
How Little Reindeers Do Magic
I didn’t bring dixy to life only for children.
I’m neither a parent, nor a caretaker.
What I am though, is an enthusiast of playing up a bit of silly fun and bringing some “magic” into every day life – especially around christmas!
Even as an adult, I’d still be delighted if someone would set me up with a little Reindeer being magical at night!
Because while you might become to old to belive in some things, you never grow to old to enjoy someone lovingly setting you up for a little giggle in the morning.
So if you think you have no one to make an “‘Elk’ on the shelf” for – think again, You might have a partner who’d feel very loved and festive over you giving them some magic
Maybe an elderly person who might not have a use for silly morning scenes, but might enjoy a very bendable, soft thing to hold onto or simply a handmade decoration, and to be considered during the leadup to christmas, in which lots of elderly people are rather lonely.
Or you might have some collegues who might have a good laugh about a clumsy little reindeer “having gotten stuck” in a coffee cup in the office.
Whatever you do and for whoever you do it for, remember that there’s no need to have a huge scene, activity or treat set up every single morning!
(Although obviously little Dixy will do them all on his own – it just so happenes you might have been the only one around while he did ;D)
It doesn’t even have to be anything at all!
Who sais Reindeer don’t need time off as well?
“What has he been up to today”, can be as simple as he oficially declares christmas pijama-day with a big note, or he’s cheekily been up all night watching christmas movies and there’s one ready to be pressed play on over breakfast. He might have snuck some cookies into the school/work lunchbox of your loved one (with a note like: “Enjoy your extra treat! -Dixy”) or simply just spent the night resting under the christmas tree, like
everyone might need sometimes.
Reindeer do magic by simply being there.
… and there… and somwtimes over there!
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my rambling!
May your days be filled with christmas joy and gingerbread!
Merry Christmas!
Snowdrop