On Dasher, on Donner … on your car?

Sure, Rudolph antlers are cute to wear on your head for silly photos or to top off an ugly Christmas sweater.

But what in blue blazes possesses people to turn their car into a 2-ton reindeer?

You’ve seen them tooling down the road. Cars with antlers shooting up from the windows and a bright red nose on the grill.

What’s up with that?

I chased down a few to find out.

“I’m a really bubbly, friendly person,” said Marcie Cameron, who was pulling her blue Suzuki SUV into the Everett Costco, where she’s a cashier. “Anything so people know I’m friendly.”

Her husband and daughter surprised her by decking out her car with a reindeer kit.

“I’ve always wanted them,” she said. “Oh, my gosh, people love it. They are like, ‘You are in the Christmas spirit.’”

This year, the reindeer kits are everywhere, including supermarkets and drug stores, for $10 to $15. A kit is $12.99 at a site called, well, stupid.com. As the stupid site puts it: When you drive around town you’ll no longer be the tan SUV. You’ll be a real Reindeer and all the other cars will look like dirty ol’ grinches.”

As the owner of a boring tan SUV, that hit home. My car would look awesome with a red nose and reindeer antlers. “Only if I can take them off when I’m driving,” said my ol’ grinch husband.

Real men are in touch with their Rudolph side.

Nick Ortakales is proud of the plush antlers and shiny nose on his red Mini Cooper. It makes people happy, even in traffic hell.

“I’ve had people smile and wave while driving in downtown Seattle,” he said.

His friend, Ashley Poeppel, has a matching reindeer set on her blue Mini Cooper. “It gives them more personality,” she said.

As if those little cars can get any cuter.

It also makes it easy to find her little car in parking lots like Alderwood Mall, where I cornered her.

“Just look for the reindeer antlers,” she said.

So, what are you waiting for? Get your sleigh in gear so you can bust though shopping mall parking lots like a true reindeer and spread some joy.

If your car feels naked after the holidays, no problem.

Chances are sites like stupid.com will sell Easter Bunny ears.

Send What’s Up With That? suggestions to Andrea Brown at 425-339-3443; abrown@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @reporterbrown. Read more What’s Up With That? at www.heraldnet.com/whatsup.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

"Unsellable Houses" hosts Lyndsay Lamb (far right) and Leslie Davis (second from right) show homes in Snohomish County to Randy and Gina (at left) on an episode of "House Hunters: All Stars" that airs Thursday. (Photo provided by HGTV photo)
Snohomish twin stars of HGTV’s ‘Unsellable Houses’ are on ‘House Hunters’

Lyndsay Lamb and Leslie Davis show homes in Mountlake Terrace, Everett and Lynnwood in Thursday’s episode.

Gus Mansour works through timing with Jeff Olson and Steven Preszler, far right, during a rehearsal for the upcoming annual Elvis Challenge Wednesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on April 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Hunka hunka: Elvis Challenge returns to Historic Everett Theatre May 4

The “King of Rock and Roll” died in 1977, but his music and sideburns live on with Elvis tribute artists.

2024 Lexus GX 550 (Photo provided by Lexus)
2024 Lexus GX 550 review

The 2024 Lexus GX 550 has been redesigned from the ground up,… Continue reading

(Photo provided by Lexus)
2024 Lexus TX brings three-row seating back to the SUV lineup

The new luxury SUV is available in three versions, including two with hybrid powertrains.

Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz vocalist Greta Matassa comes to Snohomish while “Death by Design” ends its run at the Phoenix Theatre in Edmonds.

Mukilteo Police Chief Andy Illyn and the graphic he created. He is currently attending the 10-week FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. (Photo provided by Andy Illyn)
Help wanted: Unicorns for ‘pure magic’ career with Mukilteo police

“There’s a whole population who would be amazing police officers” but never considered it, the police chief said.

To most, tiles are utilitarian. To some, they’re a sought-after art form.

Collectors particularly prize tiles made by early 20th century art potteries. This Wheatley piece sold for $216 at auction.

Spring plant sales in Snohomish County

Find perennials, vegetable starts, shrubs and more at these sales, which raise money for horticulture scholarships.

beautiful colors of rhododendron flowers
With its big, bright blooms, Washington’s state flower is wowing once again

Whether dwarf or absolutely ginormous, rhodies put on a grand show each spring. Plus, they love the Pacific Northwest.

Whidbey duo uses fencing to teach self-discipline, sportsmanship to youth

Bob Tearse and Joseph Kleinman are sharing their sword-fighting expertise with young people on south Whidbey Island.

Glimpse the ancient past in northeast England

Hadrian’s Wall stretches 73 miles across the isle. It’s still one of England’s most thought-provoking sights.

I accidentally paid twice for my hotel. Can I get a refund?

Why did Valeska Wehr pay twice for her stay at a Marriott property in Boston? And why won’t Booking.com help her?

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.