Tell me you grew up in the golden age of holiday specials without telling me… I’ll go first: we gathered around the TV every year to watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - and yes, we absolutely rooted for the Misfit Toys like they were our team in the Super Bowl!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Sandwiches: A Festive Lunch Idea for Little Elves

Fast-forward a few decades (give or take), and now I’m the grandma making cutesy Rudolph sandwiches for my own little crew. Let me tell you - they got it right away! The tomato nose was a hit (literally, they popped it in their mouths before I could blink), and the whole thing turned into a mini lunch party full of giggles.

These Turkey and Cheese Reindeer Sandwiches are such a fun way to bring a little holiday cheer to lunchtime. Super simple ingredients, zero stress, and maximum cuteness? Yes please! Whether you’re surprising your kids or grandkids during the week or whipping these up for a Christmas playdate or class party, they’re guaranteed to steal the show.

What You’ll Need:

4 slices of wheat bread
2 slices of cheddar cheese
6 slices of thinly sliced turkey lunch meat
2 cherry tomatoes
4 large black olives
4 mini pretzels

And as for tools, you’ll need:

A cutting board
A sharp knife
A heart-shaped cookie cutter (I use this one from Wilton) to make the perfect little Rudolph snout!

🎁 How to Make Rudolph Sandwiches:

First, trim the stem end off your cherry tomatoes so they can sit flat and be the perfect “red nose.”

Slice your olives in half - keep the solid-hole halves and sneak the rest for a snack. (Chef’s treat!)

Lay out two slices of bread with the rounded side facing you.

Top each with a slice of cheddar cheese and layer on three folded turkey slices.

Add the top slice of bread, then grab your heart cookie cutter and press it right in the center. (Eat the scraps or save them for sneaky kitchen nibbling!)

Now for the fun part: Decorate! Add a cherry tomato at the bottom of the heart for Rudolph’s nose, two olive “eyes” just above it, and slide two pretzels between the bread slices at the top to make antlers.

Serve it up and watch the magic happen! ✨

Tips & Substitutions:

Swap cheddar for mozzarella, provolone, or even Swiss if your kiddos are fancy like that.
Not a turkey fan? Ham or chicken work just as well!
You can totally make these ahead of time - just wait to add the pretzels and tomatoes until right before serving so they don’t get soggy or soft.

Serving Ideas:

Make it a full festive lunch! Pair your Rudolph sandwich with:

A cup of tomato soup (hello, cozy vibes)
A handful of baby carrots or apple slices for a healthy crunch
Some Christmas-shaped cookies or hot cocoa for a treat!

Yield: 2

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Sandwiches

Name: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Sandwiches
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 slices of wheat bread; 2 slices cheddar cheese; 6 slices of thin sliced turkey lunch meat; 2 cherry tomatoes; 4 large black olives; 4 pretzels

Turkey and Cheese Reindeer Sandwiches are a fun and festive lunch idea for kids during the holiday season. Made with simple sandwich ingredients like turkey, cheese, and bread, then decorated with pretzel antlers, olive eyes, and a tomato nose for a cute reindeer face!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

4 slices of wheat bread
2 slices cheddar cheese
6 slices of thin sliced turkey lunch meat
2 cherry tomatoes
4 large black olives
4 pretzels

Instructions

Cut just the side off of each cherry tomato that has the mark from the stem. Discard that step part.
Cut the olives in half. Discard the halves that don’t have the solid hole.
Set out two pieces of bread, round side facing you.
Top each piece of bread with a slice of cheese.
Fold turkey slices in half and layer onto the bread as shown.
Put a piece of bread on top of that.
Use the heart cutter to cut out the sandwich. Discard the cut pieces or eat them.
Place a cherry tomato at the bottom of the “heart” sandwich, then two olive eyes slightly above and to each side.
Place two pretzels in between the slices of bread on the sandwich for the antlers.
Serve and enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 747Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 77mgSodium: 970mgCarbohydrates: 119gFiber: 16gSugar: 5gProtein: 41g

These little sandwiches are more than just lunch - they’re a moment. A memory. A Rudolph-loving, giggle-filled, tomato-nosed slice of holiday joy. And I don’t know about you, but that’s exactly what this season needs.

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