Reindeer have been associated with Christmas since the famous 1823 poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas” (’Twas the night before Christmas), and Rudolph was created in 1939 by Robert Mays. Early German paper mache reindeer, often covered with fur or felt, emerged around 1900, and later collectible incarnations included metal, glass, celluloid and plastic models (not mention candy containers, tree ornaments, clothing, and other reindeer items).