Rudolph the Romance Reindeer

Do you remember your first Christmas romance story? It took me a while to remember mine, but then I realized it was. . .

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer!

At first glance, it seems to be a story about a lovable reindeer with an odd quirk--that bright red nose of his--and an elf with a seemingly unattainable career choice. But when you dig a little deeper, you can see how this tale really does track with the romance stories we love so much.

There are two young lovers, Rudolph and Clarice, who have strong feelings for each other, despite their parents' objections. And Clarice's dad. . .it's great that he's so protective of his daughter, but he gets a little too alpha about it, literally butting heads with Rudolph's dad. 

One minute Rudolph is flying through the air because Clarice has confessed she's smitten with him. The next he's leaving his home, and his detractors, because they have shunned him and his glowing nose. Talk about heartwrenching!

Fortunately he joins up with Hermey, the would-be dentist, and the two are off on a grand adventure, gaining experiences that will aid them in the future, while giving them a chance to see what they're truly made of.

There's even a black moment, when all seems hopelessly lost. The Abominable Snowman has captured Clarice, as well as Rudolph's parents, planning to make them his holiday snack. In true heroic fashion, Rudolph sacrifices himself to save those he loves. It looks like HE might be the next thing nibbled by The Abominable One, but Hermey gets to use his dental training, rendering the big guy toothless, and harmless. 

And just like in all the best romances, the character trait that seems to be a flaw in the beginning turns out to be just what everyone needed, although they were unable to recognize it at first. Rudolph's beacon of a nose saves Christmas, since Santa was ready to cancel the whole thing (he said it was because of the weather, but maybe he finally realized how tough it is to deliver that many toys in just one night--we'll never know for sure).

Rudolph also rescues the lonely toys from the Island of Misfit Toys, so they can be given to children who don't have any play things--demonstrating Rudolph's compassion, and giving us a lovely misty-eyed moment, like all great romances do.

I've always believed the story ends with a happily-ever-after too. And if it doesn't, I've already written one in--because after all those romantic, heroic things we've just experienced, it wouldn't be right for Rudolph and Clarice to be denied their HEA.

~~~~~

Thanks to everyone stopping by for the Winter Warm-Up Blog Hop! Don't forget that you can enter to win the grand prize giveaway of a $75 gift card by clicking on the Rafflecopter link. You can also win prizes by visiting each of the blog hop participants--all of them are listed at the Hops With Heart blog.

I'll be giving away a $10 gift card (Amazon, or B&N) to one random winner. Just leave a comment about a favorite holiday memory, or favorite holiday romance. That's it!

Comments

[Mae Clair]

I positively love your look at Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, one of my favorite holiday stories...and now I'm looking at it as a romance too with an HEA too, LOL!

I think my favorite holiday romance would have to be A Christmas Carol. Yes, I know, it's not really a romance, but Scrooge does get to fall in love with Christmas and even life again and that's a wonderful HEA! :)

Fun post, Donna!

[Donna Cummings]

Mae, I remember seeing one version of A Christmas Carol where they focused on Scrooge's romance when he was younger -- and how he'd ruined that with his greed and ambition. He managed to see the error of his ways, which is classic romance material! I also agree that falling in love with life is a great HEA too. :) Thanks for stopping by!

[Christon Benford]

This year's favorite holiday romance for me is The Billionaire's Christmas by J.S. Scott. I think my favorites change each year as I read new stories. Thanks for the giveaway. Looking forward to checking out your holiday release as well.

[Donna Cummings]

Christon, I completely understand about the faves changing with the new stories coming out each year -- I'm the same way. I've seen The Billionaire's Christmas in several places lately--looks like I better add it to the TBR!

[Shannon]

My favorite holiday memory is my first christmas with a child. It is amazing to see the wonder again through their eyes

[Donna Cummings]

Shannon, that is a wonderful memory. I remember when I was a kid, and I couldn't imagine anything more magical than this time of year. I think I needed that reminder. :)

[Jennifer Rote]

My favorite holiday memory is taking my son to the winter carnival for the first time. So much fun but really cold in upstate NY.

[Tatiana Lammers]

My favorite holiday memory is my very first Christmas in the USA. In Russia, where I was from we never celebrated Christmas - only New Years, and we never went to church. So, it was very special.

[Loretta Sullivan]

One of my favorite holiday memories is on Christmas Eve after the children were finally asleep. The presents were under the tree and my husband and I could sit and relax awhile before the Christmas morning frenzy began.

[Kate]

Now that you've opened my eyes to the true meaning of the story, I have to say Rudolph is my first Christmas Romance story too.

Hard to choose a favorite holiday memory. I remember the big box that always came from my grandparents, getting to open just one present Christmas Eve, the whole family going to church, staying up until midnight and then the sorting of presents into piles for each person, and a mess of wrapping paper everywhere. When I was older I got to go with my Dad to help ring the church bells in the little village nearby. All three churches would ring their bells at 12:00 am Christmas morning. It was cold, but beautiful--those different bells chiming, and nobody called the cops about the noise.

I love how even total strangers will look you in the eye and smile and wish you a merry Christmas. You just don't get that at other holidays. This is truly my favorite time of year, despite the cold.

[Kate]

Oops. I just realized my favorite Christmas memory should maybe be the birth of my oldest son. He's a Christmas Day baby, and he's growing up so fast! In my defense...I was in labor all day, and it was not an easy birth.

[Daniel M]

when i was a kid i got a tabletop hockey game, played for years with my friends

[Anastasia Falling]

A favorite memory of mine is driving around town at night, with my family, and seeing all the pretty lights and decorations that people put up :)

[natasha hudnall]

The first year my husband and I were dating he got so sick, but he still went and visited my parents with me for Christmas- in fact he insisted - it meant the world to me.

[Catherine Chant]

My favorite Christmas memory is my son's first Christmas. Seeing the holiday through his eyes brought new magic to it.

[Donna Cummings]

Jennifer, that sounds so fun! I can just imagine how cold it must be in that part of the country. :)

Tatiana, what a lovely memory. :) I love hearing how different the traditions are everywhere.

Loretta, I love your description of that quiet time. Or "getting ready for the frenzy" time. LOL

[Donna Cummings]

Kate, those are lovely memories! I love the bells--that must have sounded so beautiful. And it's understandable that you'd forget being in labor all day on Christmas. LOL My mom's birthday was on Christmas--it made it tricky with everybody trying to combine presents. Hope your son gets to enjoy his birthday as a separate event. :)

[Donna Cummings]

Daniel, that's an awesome present, esp. if it brought enjoyment for so many years. :)

Anastasia, I remember driving around seeing all the lights too! That was definitely a treat.

Natasha, your poor husband -- but what a trooper! And a sweetheart. :)

Catherine, that is indeed a special magical memory. :)

[Melissa]

waking up christmas morning and seeing the snowfall and sharing gifts with my family!

[Jami Brumfield]

My favorite holiday memory is the first one I shared with my husband. He is so wonderful and created a beautifully romantic weekend up on the slopes. [email protected]

[Lotus]

And all these years I thought Rudolph was "just" a holiday story! Love your interpretation! One of my favorite holiday memories is my whole family (5 kids) decorating our tiny tree (tiny because we got a live one to use for a few years before planting). That planted tree is now outside my window as I put my childhood home. We cut a big branch off every year to decorate!

[shirley]

I love the year our dad made reindeer prints in the snow, for us.

[Natalija]

Some of my favorite holiday romances are:
Mine Under the Mistletoe by Kat Latham
Christmas with a Soldier by Makenna Jameison
A Special Ops Christmas by Kristen James
Must Love Santa by Nina Bruhns

Happy Holidays!

[Piroska]

My favourite Christmas was way back, when my kids were little, and one year we were so broke, so I made ornaments for our tree--crocheted snowflakes and knitted santas. Little wooden sleighs and walnut mice. All homemade cookies and a simple turkey dinner. It was the best Christmas.

[Norman]

My favourite holiday memory was when the family had incredible laughs to the unique ways we wrapped presents.

[Kim Pinch]

My favorite memory is one of the years we were in England we took the kids to see Santa at Harrods and then to Hamleys and enjoy the lights on Oxford St. They had such a great time and still talk about it today.

[Katie Amanda]

One of my favorite Christmas time memories was going to NYC to see the Rockettes when I was a little girl. Thank you!

[Cheryl Rogers]

My favorite holiday romance to watch on screen was with Laura Wilder Ingles and her husband Almanzo. Its the small screen but I loved those characters dearly!

[Tanya Guthrie]

Some of my favorite holiday memories are when my brother and I would sneak into my mom's closet and carefully unwrap our presents and then re-wrap them. It was so much fun, but took away from Christmas morning.

Tanyamarieward(At)Hotmail(dot)com

[Lisa Walker]

My favorite holiday memory is holding my 6 day old daughter on Christmas morning while everyone opened presents. Merry Christmas!
liese1235 at gmail dot com