When Miranda Ritter was planning a holiday party for a client who told her he wanted reindeer at the event, her first thought was, “oh, no problem.”
The planning for the Christmas party had begun in August, and Miranda, the owner of a wedding and event planning service called Belle Journee, began calling a long list of possible sources for reindeer and soon discovered reindeer are very difficult to find.
Miranda Ritter with one of her reindeer.
“Then I switched gears, and my calls went from, ‘How do I rent reindeer?’ to ‘How do I purchase reindeer’, Ritter said.
She was successful in her quest and since 2018, has owned her company, Kansas City Reindeer.
Now, with a total of seven reindeer, she takes them to locations in the Kansas City area where they star at an assortment of parties and events.
Her entire family help to take care of the animals, Her biggest helpers are her children, Hadley, who is 4 and Truman, who is 6.
Although the reindeer are loving and friendly, Ritter said they are incredibly difficult to take care of.
“My reindeer have a team of local vets, as well as emergency and support care at K-State,” Ritter said. “I have great resources such as the Reindeer Farmers Association and breeder friends who are always available to answer questions. From hooves, antlers and rut - they are always keeping me on my toes.”
All of the events the reindeer attend are off-site, but she is planning to open her farm eventually for on-site celebrations also. The reindeer are the main attraction at about 50 events each year.
Aside from being part of Santa’s team, reindeer history includes being a highly valued asset in World War II, when they were used to help transport war supplies through an 800-mile-long route, after supplies arrived in the Russian port city of Murmansk from North America, in an often deadly journey through German attacks, blizzards, snow drifts and temperatures of minus 30 degrees.
Soon, Ritter’s reindeer, Yeti, Denali, Everest, Cindy Lou Who, Zuzu Bailey, Donder and Blitzen will be joined by many more reindeer. Ritter’s goal is to have a total of 40 someday. She and her family purchased a new farm a year and a half ago so there will be plenty of room for the newcomers.
The reindeer are very friendly and love being around people.
“They love to get scratches on their neck and eat cookies,” Ritter said. “I refer to them as North Pole puppies. Imagine a big St. Bernard puppy with antlers.”
The family has a variety of animals, including rescue equine from the kill lots, standard and mini horses and donkeys, rescue pigs and Scottish Highland cows, goats, sheep, bunnies, chickens, rescued dogs and barn cats.
“We are definitely adding some new friends in the Spring,” Ritter said.
In November, 2023, the farm will open to the public for a Winter Wonderland experience.
The Ritter family is dedicated to using their farm to teach the community about reindeer.
“We are committed to teaching the community about reindeer, and another big focus on our farm is conservation and what the reindeer would face in the wild,” Ritter said. “I have always loved animals and would always bring home any animals in need. My parents had a lot of patience.”
For Ritter, one thing she loves the most about what she does is seeing the kids (of all ages) react to the reindeer.
“Reindeer are just so magical,” Ritter said. “In a world, where we have so much going on, when you see and interact with our reindeer, immediately it’s just magic and you are happy. That’s the magic of Christmas.”