The mascot Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, was created in 1939 by Robert L. May, a writer for Montgomery Ward, a large American department store. Initially, it was created as part of a Christmas story to be distributed as a promotional booklet by the store. The story was a huge success, and soon Rudolph became a Christmas icon.

Rudolph is a young, shy reindeer whose most notable feature is his red, glowing nose, which initially made him the target of ridicule by the other reindeer. However, on Christmas Eve, when a foggy night threatens to stop Santa Claus from delivering presents, Rudolph’s bright nose becomes the solution to guide Santa’s sleigh through the mist, making him a hero.

The character’s popularity grew even more in 1949 when singer Gene Autry released the famous song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," which became a holiday classic. Since then, Rudolph has been a symbol of Christmas, carrying a message of overcoming adversity and acceptance.