Scandinavia, Siberia, Canada and Alaska (in North America they are called Caribou).

Reindeer lead a nomadic life, wandering between their winter range in the far northern spruce-fir forests and their breeding grounds on the treeless arctic tundra. Human hunters of the far north adopted the Reindeer's nomadic lifestyle, following the herds during their annual treks.

The Laplanders of northern Scandinavia eventually brought the Reindeer under domestication, obtaining extremely rich milk and nourishing meat from the animals as well as harnessing them to pull their sleds through the arctic snows. The Lapps used Reindeer hides to make tents, parkas, boots, gloves and bedding. Bones and antlers were used to make knives and other tools.

Although Laplanders harnessed, milked, and otherwise domesticated Reindeer, they could not break them of their migratory habits. Instead, the Laplanders followed the Reindeer on their annual migrations, moving all of their possessions on Reindeer-pulled sleighs; in effect, joining the herd. Humans and Reindeer have indeed had a long and close historical relationship.

The entrance of Reindeer into the Christmas legend is of much more recent origin. This legend has its roots in northern Europe, where Saint Nicholas was a symbol of gift giving at Christmas time. Children of Dutch immigrants in Pennsylvania called this bearer of Christmas gifts "Sinterklaas", altered by their English-speaking neighbors to Santa Claus.

Santa originally rode a white horse, and was said to live in the far north, perhaps at the North Pole itself. As the Santa legend grew, it was asserted that the jolly old elf himself delivered toys all over the world on Christmas Eve. Obviously a faster and more magical means of transportation was required for this activity

Since the Lapps of the far north traveled in sleighs pulled by as many as ten Reindeer, it was somewhat logical to assign this mode of transportation to the far north dwelling Christmas elf. The magic power of flight was assigned to the Reindeer in order to explain Santa's seemingly impossible travels on Christmas Eve. Ever since, children have been lying awake each December 24 listening for the click, click, click of hooves on their rooftops.