Reindeer Costume DIY: Antlers, Nose and Outfit
A reindeer costume DIY comes down to three things: antlers on a headband, a red (or brown) nose, and a brown outfit. Build the antlers from pipe cleaners or card, pull an all-brown or brown-and-cream outfit from your closet, and add the nose with makeup or a pom-pom. It takes about an hour, and you don't need to sew a thing.
If you're staring at a closet with no brown in it wondering if a reindeer is even possible, The Costume Rack shows a from-your-closet version of every costume piece. Start my costume
What you need
Most reindeer costume ideas online are videos that move too fast. Here's the list written down:
- A headband (any thin one, ideally brown or black)
- Antler material: brown pipe cleaners (about 6), or brown card, or a wire coat hanger plus brown tape
- Brown outfit: hoodie, sweater, turtleneck, leggings, joggers, cords
- Something cream or tan for the chest patch: an old tee, felt, or a scarf
- A nose: red lipstick or face paint, a red pom-pom, or a foam clown nose
- Glue gun or tape, scissors, safety pins
Optional: tiny felt ears, a bell on a ribbon for your neck, a little tail.
Make the antlers (DIY reindeer antlers headband)
Antlers are 80% of the costume. Do them first.
Pipe cleaner antlers (easiest)
- Take two pipe cleaners and twist them together for the main branch. Make two of these.
- Wrap the bottom of each round the headband, about 2 inches either side of the middle.
- Twist shorter pieces of pipe cleaner onto each main branch to make two or three prongs.
- Bend the tips slightly outwards so they look like they're growing, not poking.
Reindeer antlers out of paper or card
- Trace your hand with fingers spread on brown card. That's literally an antler shape.
- Cut two, flip one, then cut a tab at the base of each.
- Glue a second layer behind each for stiffness.
- Fold the tabs and hot glue them onto the headband.
Sturdier antlers for a long night
Bend a wire coat hanger into two antler shapes, wrap in brown tape or brown felt, then tape firmly onto the headband. Heavier, but they won't droop by 11pm.
Glue two small brown felt ears just in front of each antler if you want extra cuteness.
The outfit from your closet (reindeer outfits DIY)
You don't need a reindeer onesie. You need a mostly brown outfit.
Reindeer costume DIY for girls and women
- Brown turtleneck or bodysuit plus brown or black leggings
- Brown sweater dress with tights
- Cream scarf tucked in at the neck for the chest patch
- Brown boots, or any boots
Reindeer costume DIY for guys and boys
- Brown or tan hoodie with joggers or cords
- Cream or white tee showing at the neck
- Brown or dark shoes
Adult and work versions
Keep it office-ready: a camel or brown knit, dark jeans, the headband antlers, and a tiny red nose dot. Reindeer costume DIY for adults is mostly about restraint; one red nose says plenty.
No brown at all? Go all black, which reads as "night sky reindeer," and lean on the antlers and nose. Or go grey with a cream scarf. A reindeer is a silhouette, not a shade.
The chest patch
Cut an oval from a cream tee or felt and safety-pin it to the front of your top. That one patch makes a brown outfit read as an animal, not just autumn.
The nose: makeup or no-makeup
Red nose reindeer costume (with makeup)
- Dot red lipstick or face paint on the tip of your nose and blend it into a circle.
- Add a tiny white highlight dot so it looks shiny.
- Optional reindeer makeup, easy version: brown eyeliner freckles across your cheeks, and a soft brown line from the inner corner of each eye down the side of the nose.
Reindeer costume without makeup
- A red pom-pom stuck on with a dot of eyelash glue or skin-safe tape
- A foam clown nose (it'll look extra Rudolph)
- Or skip the nose entirely, wear a red scarf and let the antlers carry it
If you have sensitive skin, test anything on your arm before your face.
The nose is where people overthink. Paint or no paint, pom-pom or nothing? The Costume Rack asks how you feel about face paint up front, and every costume it builds has a no-makeup version, so you never have to guess. Start my costume
Group version: the whole team of reindeer
Reindeer are built for groups. There are famously nine of them if you count the one with the glowing nose, so you can cover a whole friend group or form class.
| Role | What makes it different |
|---|---|
| The red-nosed one | Bright red nose, maybe battery fairy lights round the antlers |
| The leader | A bell collar on red ribbon |
| The fast one | Sporty: brown tracksuit and trainers |
| The fancy one | Glitter on the antlers |
| The sleepy one | Brown pajamas |
| Santa | Red top, belt, white scarf |
| The sleigh | Someone in a red hoodie holding a cardboard "sleigh" sign |
Pair your herd with a couple of elves from our elf costume DIY and a Christmas tree costume DIY for the full Christmas card shot.
Real talk: in a group, someone will flake on making antlers. Make two spare headbands. You'll be a hero.
Keeping antlers on all night
Antlers flop, slide and fall off on the dance floor. Fix that:
- Grip: wrap the inside of the headband in a strip of felt or a hair tie to stop it sliding.
- Bobby pins: pin through the headband into your hair on both sides.
- Weight: keep antlers light. Pipe cleaner beats card beats wire.
- Balance: make both antlers the same size and set them the same distance from the middle.
- Spare kit: carry tape and two bobby pins in your pocket.
Last minute reindeer costume
Brown hoodie, card antlers on a headband, red lipstick dot on the nose. Twenty minutes, honestly cute.
Finish your reindeer costume DIY without the last-night panic
You have the full reindeer costume DIY plan; now make it happen. The Costume Rack takes about two minutes: tell it your vibe, what's in your closet and how you feel about face paint. You get a costume split into pieces, each with a version from what you own, a countdown that sets one piece a day, and one link your friends use to claim their looks on your rail.
FAQ
How do you make a DIY reindeer antlers headband?
Twist brown pipe cleaners into branches and wrap them round a thin headband about two inches either side of the center. Add shorter pieces for prongs. For a paper version, trace your spread hand on brown card and glue the shapes to the headband.
What do you wear for a homemade reindeer costume?
A mostly brown outfit: a brown hoodie or sweater, brown or black bottoms and boots. Pin a cream oval on your chest for the patch. If you don't own brown, black or grey works as long as the antlers are strong.
Can you do a reindeer costume without makeup?
Yes. Use a red pom-pom attached with skin-safe tape, a foam nose, or skip the nose and wear a red scarf. The antlers are what make it read as a reindeer.
What's an easy reindeer costume for adults at work?
A camel knit, dark jeans, a slim antler headband and a small red nose dot. It looks festive without being a full costume, which suits an office party.
How do you keep reindeer antlers from falling off?
Keep them light, make both sides equal, and pin the headband into your hair with bobby pins. A strip of felt on the inside of the headband stops it sliding.