What relation is Donner to Rudolph?

Answer 1

Humor : Santa's reindeer are all brothers and sisters living in Russia, but Rudolph was special because he had a sort of barometer on his red nose. They all deferred to him about impending precipitation because "Rudoph the Red knows rain, dear!"

Reference : Donner may be Rudolph's father because Rudolph's father in the 1964 stop-motion animated TV special was referred to as Donner.

Canon : The creator of the tale of Rudolph (Robert L. May) never specified a relationship. In fact, in the original Montgomery Ward version (1939), Santa discovered Rudolph while delivering Christmas presents, which made possible a safe continuation in foggy weather.

Song : The lyrics of the 1949 Gene Autry song "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" implies they were nothing more than co-workers. The song mentions Rudolph being taunted, teased and alienated by 'ALL OF THE OTHER REINDEER'. If he and Donner were somehow related, there would be mention that Donner was not included in the heckling.

However : It is possible that Donner WAS his father. The song stated that all the reindeer teased him, but may refer to the runners and most of his peers (which includes Donner). Within the song it states that many (perhaps his father and any brothers he might have had) disapproved of him because of his nose. Obviously his mom felt he was perfect the way he was.

Darkly : Although it is seldom mentioned in polite family journals, Donner ate Rudolph quite some time ago, while travelling through the Sierra Nevada (q.v. Donner Passed). Therefore, Donner enjoyed an epicurean relationship with Rudolph.

Rudolph was the brave reindeer who helped lead some members of the Donner party to California. Unfortunately, while he had managed to get to the party in time to lead some of them to California, by the time he returned the second time the remainder of the party had already resorted to cannibalism. Saddened by what he saw, Rudolph then left to head to the North Pole, with his nose already stained by the blood of settlers, where he has remained helping Santa since.

BTW: All of Santa's reindeer are females because male reindeer lose their antlers in the winter, Females don't lose theirs until spring.

NORAD says that Rudolph was made a member of the sleigh team in 1031 (the first trip was in 343 AD) and is second cousin to Dasher.