GRAND ISLAND, NB - One of the more popular family references on social media at present is the making of a core memory—or moments that will have an impact on small children as they grow into themselves. An easy experience for such an impression would have to be meeting a reindeer.

As retailers continuously work to be the brands the next generation depends on, I can’t help but think that the recent team-up between a Hy-Vee store and local Blue Star Christmas Tree and Reindeer Farm embedded both in family tradition.

“This has been great. It’s been a very warm-felt event today,” said farm Owner Bryan Corn told KSNB, which reported how a live event at the Grand Island, Nebraska, Hy-Vee connected children to reindeer like those heading Santa’s slay every Christmas. “A lot of ‘I’ve never seen a reindeer in real life before.’ It’s definitely been a lot of fun being out here today, getting to visit with all the kids in the area. It’s been a wonderful opportunity.”

Not only did shoppers have this unique experience, but they also encountered an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of animals like the sweet Dolly and Dasher that made their grocery trip so special.

“The one thing that we’re going to also offer is ‘adopt a reindeer,’ where we have a camera on our reindeer barn out at our farm,” Corn commented. “So, you can log into the camera and see the reindeer live. We hope to offer that to the area as well.”

To be on your way to buy produce and other groceries with your parents, only to be met with reindeer and candy canes—plus the chance to adopt and contribute to their well-being—certainly sounds like a retail-related core memory to me!

Hy-Vee