Foresters preparing for the big day in December may undertake some fun traditions, like leaving milk out for Father Christmas or maybe a carrot for Rudolph. One of these traditions is to sprinkle reindeer food in the garden.

However, there has been much debate over the years for what is considered safe for our garden dwellers and how to avoid attracting rats or flies.

Luckily, experts at Wayfair UK have weighed in with their helpful tips and tricks. They’ve given The Forester their top four pointers for how to make the perfect reindeer food this Christmas!

Pests are attracted to food scraps, so it’s crucial to add a hint of spice to your reindeer food this year to deter any unexpected Christmas visitors. Adding a few spoonfuls of chilli powder could be the answer. It not only adds a pop of colour to your reindeer food, but the spice is also a natural and safe deterrent against garden pests.

Christmas needs sparkle and glow, but when it comes to reindeer food, sparkle needs to be avoided at all costs. Glitter can be harmful to the environment and wildlife, and there’s the added headache of having to clean up!

Oats are commonly the main ingredient in reindeer food recipes, but sprinkling oats in your garden can attract rats.

Grains like oats, wheat and rice are important nutrients for rats as they are full of their essential vitamins and minerals.

Why not take the reindeer food tradition as the perfect opportunity to feed our beloved birds. Consider replacing oats with birdseed and sprinkle your reindeer food over a garden bird table or bird feeder. This can help the winter robins in your garden remain fed over Christmas.