Why We Love Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Dec 16, 2013 | by Becky Oeltjenbruns
Rudolph is ready for Santa!
This 1964 television special captures our hearts every holiday season. Burl Ives singing the tunes, wonderful stop- animation by Rankin/Bass, and tales of acceptance – this film covers all the bases! There are so many reasons why we love what these characters are all about, but we narrowed it down to six great lessons. Join us as we celebrate the end of another year and find out how this short film goes a long way toward uplifting our outlook…
Don’t hide what makes you special – embrace it!
This theme is threaded throughout the film, but it’s strongest with the title character. Rudolph’s signature red nose is immediately seen as a problem just because it’s different. Fellow reindeer react with fear and laughter (except for the kind-hearted Clarice), making him feel like an outsider. Be mindful to show compassion to those around you, keep an open mind, and enjoy their special qualities. (As the surprisingly gentle Abominable Snow Man shows us, ya can’t judge a book by its cover) In Rudolph’s case his unique gift saves the day, but before his quirks are appreciated he is forced to hide his glow. Loving yourself for who you are is the best gift you can receive this holiday season, so take a cue from Rudolph and appreciate your individuality.
“There’s always tomorrow for dreams to come true”
There are so many great musical moments in this movie, but this solo from Clarice is one of our favorites. Remember to tackle your goals one step at a time, but never lose sight of the big picture. Every morning gives us a fresh start; if you feel like you’re not progressing, take the opportunity to re-assess. When you’re in the thick of things it can be hard to center yourself, but take note of Clarice’s words and keep your chin up!
Follow your heart & don’t be afraid to break free from the pack
As an elf, Herbie is expected to happily make toys for all his days, but his true passion lies in dentistry. Initially he tries to bridge the gap between duty and desire by making dolls with teeth. When that plan doesn’t work he bravely decides to branch out on his own, armed with his knowledge and determination. His persistent studying pays off as they are faced with the Abominable Snow Man’s sharp choppers! Herbie’s equal parts passion and discipline make for a successful formula. Apply it to your efforts and reap the benefits of hard work.
Herbie, the aspiring dentist
Journeys are always better with friends
Yukon Cornelius, Herbie, and Rudolph make an awesome trio. Building memories with friends is a great way to experience life. You can turn to them for advice in times of trouble and celebrate with them in times of triumph. Even though Rudolph is convinced his nose is bringing danger to his friends, they never give up on him – even following him to the cave of the scary Abominable Snow Man. Friends will have your back, bringing their talents to bear in any situation. As we approach a New Year, focus on learning from the amazing people in your life.
Even when you are feeling low, remember to help others
As our trio learns on the Island of Misfit Toys, even if you have it bad there is always someone else in a worse situation. Helping those around you has many benefits – not only are good deeds very good indeed, but you’ll feel better about your situation too. By not concentrating on your own woes, you’ll naturally find yourself feeling happier.
You can’t run away from your problems
As Rudolph grows and gains self-confidence, he knows he has to come home to his family. Returning home and facing his “critics” shows he’s no longer afraid. Upon rescuing his family, he proves to the community that they misjudged him. Keep in mind that sometimes people need a little nudge in the right direction (even Santa!) and that running away can just make problems bigger.
Cause A Frockus would like to thank our tremendous resources: the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer film and Holiday Favorites on YouTube.
For our readers:
Tell us about your favorite moments from the film!
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website
yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply as
I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to know where
u got this from. cheers
Hi Mary Lou,
Thanks for the kind note. We had a lot of fun designing the site. We created it ourselves and used our in-house development team, so our look is custom. However, the Word Press community has a lot of amazing templates you can use and even those offer some customization. Best of luck!