Can a city or town put up a Nativity scene as part of its public Christmas display? It’s a question that has come up again and again over the years, and one answer that has stuck in popular memory is the so-called “Plastic Reindeer Rule.” Here’s a brief, plain-language look at where it came from and why people still talk about it. (As always, this is general background, not legal advice.)

Birth of the Plastic Reindeer Rule

The nickname traces back to Lynch v. Donnelly, a 1984 U.S. Supreme Court case from Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The city’s holiday display included a Nativity scene alongside a number of secular decorations—a Santa Claus house, reindeer pulling a sleigh, candy-striped poles, a Christmas tree, carolers, and more. In a 5–4 decision, the Court ruled that the display did not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.

Part of the reasoning was the overall context: with the crèche surrounded by familiar secular symbols of the season, the display as a whole was seen as celebrating a national holiday rather than endorsing a particular religion. Commentators summed this up, half-jokingly, as the “Plastic Reindeer Rule” (or simply the “Reindeer Rule”): add enough reindeer, Santas, and candy canes, and a public Nativity display is more likely to pass muster.

A few years later, in County of Allegheny v. ACLU (1989), the Court reached a different result for a Nativity scene displayed on its own on the grand staircase of a county courthouse, while allowing a separate display that combined a menorah with a Christmas tree. Together, the two cases are often cited as the basis of the Reindeer Rule. For a deeper explanation, see this overview from The Federalist Society.

Does the Rule Still Matter?

Legal analysis of religious displays has continued to evolve. In 2022, the Supreme Court said courts should look to historical practices and understandings rather than the older test it had used in earlier cases, and legal commentators have debated what that means for holiday displays going forward. Communities and churches with questions about a specific public display should consult a qualified attorney.

For most of us, though, the takeaway is simpler. Private homes, churches, and businesses are free to celebrate the season as they wish, and many people enjoy displays that combine the sacred and the secular—a Nativity scene at the heart of the yard with reindeer, Santa, and twinkling lights all around.

Will Christmas Reindeer Fly In to Save the Day?

A timeless classic from yesteryear, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is always a good way to kick off the holiday season. A poll reported by The Hollywood Reporter found it to be one of the most beloved holiday films.

Whatever direction the blizzard blows, one thing seems clear: Christmas reindeer bring magical moments to homes everywhere over the holidays. Children and adults around the world recognize them as harbingers of cheer. As the season draws near, let the Christmas reindeer be a joyful reminder of all that brings us together.

Think about adding one of our life-sized Christmas reindeer to watch over your outdoor Nativity crèche this holiday season!