by Jonesborough, TN – A rambunctious deer made an unexpected holiday appearance by crashing into Gabriel’s Christmas, a year-round Christmas shop in Jonesborough, Tennessee, according to a Dec. 5 Facebook post from the Jonesborough Police Department. The incident left staff and shoppers stunned, but the animal was ultimately let go after a light-hearted encounter with authorities.
Holiday Visitor Makes a Grand Entrance
The deer reportedly burst through the front door of Gabriel’s Christmas earlier this week, creating chaos among the ornaments, garlands, and holiday merchandise. Police humorously advised the deer to “lay off the eggnog” for the season, adding a festive touch to the unusual situation.
In the police department’s post, officers jokingly described the deer as “one of Santa’s Reindeer… three sips too deep into the Holiday Spirits and making terrible life choices.” The animal apparently took a “grand tour” inside the shop, sniffing ornaments, inspecting garlands, side-eyeing a nutcracker, and galloping around as if it were searching for a misplaced sleigh.
Footage Captures the Deer’s Escapades
Video footage shared by the police shows the deer darting through aisles and hiding behind holiday displays as officers attempted to safely contain it. Even when the animal disappears from view, its hoofbeats can be heard clattering over the merchandise, adding to the chaotic but festive scene.
The deer’s antics came to an abrupt halt when it became stuck in a wooden chair behind the checkout counter. Officers carefully restrained the animal by grabbing each of its legs and removed it from the store.
Deer Released, Dash for Freedom
After the brief holiday adventure, the deer was set free outside and dashed off into the surrounding area, unharmed. The police department’s Facebook post affectionately called the animal a “tipsy legend”, emphasizing the humor of the situation despite the unexpected disruption.
Lisa Melancon, a merchandiser at Gabriel’s Christmas, told WJHL-TV that many employees initially thought the story was a joke. “Everyone thought we were kidding when we said our sweet Christmas store got invaded by a deer,” she said, joking that the animal might have been late on its Christmas shopping.
Community Reacts to Holiday Intruder
The story has quickly gone viral, with local residents and social media users enjoying the humorous side of a wildlife encounter. Many have shared comments imagining the deer’s holiday shopping spree or comparing it to one of Santa’s reindeer taking a day off.
While no humans or animals were harmed, the incident serves as a lighthearted reminder of how wildlife can unexpectedly interact with communities, especially during the winter months when animals may roam closer to human activity.
Gabriel’s Christmas Welcomes Unique Visitors
Though the deer caused some temporary disruption, the staff at Gabriel’s Christmas say they are taking the encounter in stride. Melancon added with a smile, “That’s why she probably wanted to come and do some shopping and get some last-minute gifts, and she knew where to come.”
The shop remains open to holiday shoppers, and authorities confirmed that no further action was necessary against the animal, which returned to the wild safely.
What’s your favorite holiday animal encounter?
Have you ever seen wildlife crash a store or event? Share your stories, reactions, or photos in the comments below.
