Today’s post is a simple Christmas themed Tutorial on how to DIY a sweet Reindeer look for your child. It’s great holiday fun, and includes a free printable! Knit the hat to finish the look!

So here we are. It’s that time again. We’re counting down the days to Christmas literally in terms of DAYS. Not months, not weeks, but DAYS. It sneaks up on me every single year. How about you?

There’s a huge push to make Christmas, and indeed, the whole holiday season as frantic and crazed as possible. It’s an exercise in over indulgence and over spending. I used to fall prey to it, but not anymore. I got off that crazy train years ago.

I like to celebrate the holidays the way I did as child: with simple crafts, a sampling of yummy treats and enjoying the little things about the season.  Things like homemade hot cocoa, driving around to see the Christmas Lights, going to a special Christmas show. Stuff like that. The way the major marketers shove the spending and over the top parties and indulgences down our throats should be a crime.

Because that’s not what Christmas is, after all. It’s a time to be thankful and to reflect on peace and love. (I’m not going to get political or religious here, because that’s just not how I do things here.)  This is a time for children to experience a little magic (which doesn’t necessarily include a hover board or an iPad).

This week’s post is about stepping away from the technology and embracing the wonderful world of make believe. Reminding ourselves on how to pretend again. Remember that? Playing pretend and inventing fun characters and stories all on your own? This week’s post is designed to do just that with a Christmas theme.

Here’s what I’m talking about….

The project this week is called “Reindeer Games.” Isn’t that super fun?

There are so many Christmas concerts and pageants and parties going on this month. So many events. Wouldn’t it be really fun to help your child dress up as a Reindeer for some of that?

I don’t know about you, but if I was 8 and my mom made me up to look like a Reindeer, and made some homemade hot chocolate and caramel popcorn while we decorated the tree, I think it would be pretty much the best Christmas memory ever.  Of course the hand knit hat that tops off the outfit makes it the perfect handmade Christmas costume.

It’s a little bit “out-of-the-box.” I know. Not too many people go all out with fun makeup like this for Christmas. But I ask you. Why not?

If you’re taking you child and their BFFs out for a drive around to see lights and then visit Santa, how cute would it be if all of them had their own Reindeer Games makeup and hat? It would be an adventure they would never forget and something they would remember fondly all of their lives. Isn’t that the real point of the Holiday season? To craft loving memories for our families and friends to cherish for a lifetime?

Because you might forget all about the Furbie you opened on Christmas morning, but you won’t forget your mom making you up to look like a Reindeer for a special Holiday event.

Even if that event is nothing more than riding around looking at lights and getting pizza on the way home. Because here’s the thing…..it’s those little things that we remember all of our lives. Those little bits of the everyday are what makes our lives special and memorable.

If you’re thinking right now that this looks really difficult, then let me reassure you. This look is literally 3 steps!

No eye makeup involved. All the products can be picked up in the Drug Store. Best of all? I’m sharing a free printable with you that goes over all the details. Consider this a special Christmas gift from me to you!

You might remember that I partnered with the lovely and talented Megan Bell for some cute Halloween looks this year. She also created this adorable Reindeer look, which is so cute for Christmas. Kylie is my model, and she’s 8 years old. She LOVED this look and the hat. I knitted the hat just for her, and she was so excited about taking it home. Kids (and teenagers) love these cute cat-eared beanies. Surprise a child, or a teenager by doing their makeup and then gifting them with this hat, and I promise you just won the Mommy (or Grandma) of the Year Prize. Even better than that, your child will carry a special memory that they will treasure forever. What could be a better gift than that?

Let’s have a look at the what’s involved in crafting this look. It’s only 3 steps. Yup. That’s it. It’s so easy even I could do it, and I don’t know anything about makeup!!

Isn’t that amazing? That’s all Megan did to create this look on Kylie! Of course, it isn’t really a complete look without the addition of the Cat Hat.  I knit this hat to Kylie’s measurements using my Foxy Lady Hat Knitting Pattern. I simply knit the brim in one color and then switched to the second color for the body. I added the special Owl Buttons trim for added personality. That way, Kylie can wear this all winter. If it looked too Christmassy (think red and white or red and green) the hat has a limited time span for wear. There’s always a method to my madness!

The hat is so quick and easy to make, you could certainly knit a couple of them. Have one for Christmas and one for the rest of the season. I simply chose something with a little more lifespan than a Santa’s hat. The great thing about knitting your own projects is you can make them in whatever colors YOU choose.

I also prefer the sunny yellow of a Sunflower to a classic Poinsettia, but that’s me. I’m currently in a yellow phase. I think the whole world could use a little cheering up, and nothing says cheery like yellow.

Of course, a happy child made up to look like one of Santa’s Reindeer is sure to light up any room!

Think of the fun you’ll add to Christmas Caroling or Cookie Baking Night or if you’re hosting a special slumber party, and all the girls get to dress up like Reindeer and take their own hand knit hat home with them.

Talk about Christmas Magic!

To create this cute and easy makeup look on your own, simply download the FREE printable by clicking the picture below. It will instantly open for you and all the instructions will be right there.

I hope this gives you some fun ideas for crafting a more sane holiday celebration in your house hold. Please share you pictures on Instagram and use the hashtag #pattymacknits so we can all see! Happy Holidays, Everyone! Enjoy this adorable video created to go along with this blog post! And please subscribe to my YouTube channel.

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