History YMMV / Prancer

* UnintentionallyUnsympathetic: '''Jessica'''. Besides the fact that she is shrill and particularly grating on the nerves, she doesn't seem to care about the fact that her father is trying to make ends meet - in fact she only really cares for what's good for herself, to the point where she recklessly sleds over flower bushes, often trespasses, vandalizes, and is apparently not satisfied with living with her aunt despite her father being wracked with bitterness. In spite of all of her flaws, nothing bad whatsoever happens to her in the film. All of this is given the justification that she is "precocious".
** John Riggs. As detailed on the main page, much of his behavior is unintentional. That said, he's gruff and borderline verbally abusive with Jessica for 80% of the film. He forcibly drags her into a vehicle at one point and, when "explaining" to her a hunter might shoot her, actually points his finger at her like a gun. And despite the fact that yes, Jessica can be shrill about it, John will not listen to any of her feelings about Prancer, Christmas, or her desire not to live with Aunt Sarah. He prepares to shoot Prancer, in front of Jessica, on one occasion.

* AbusiveParents: John Riggs is not classically abusive, nor does he mean to be in any context. However, his financial troubles and lack of support at home often lead him to be very abrupt and sometimes verbally harsh and borderline abusive with Jessica. During one scene, he forcibly drags her into his vehicle, which could be disturbing for some viewers.

* TheScrooge: Old Lady [=MacFarland=] until Jessica does odd jobs for her and [[HeelFaceTurn reintroduces her to the joy of Christmas.]]

* NightmareFuel: Bonus points for being an actual nightmare. Jessica dreams she's walking through the empty main street towards the hanged Christmas decoration of Santa's sleigh and the reindeers from earlier. Then we cut to the plastic reindeer (Prancer) falling towards the screen (Jessica's POV) as it screams.

* TheScrooge: Old Lady MacFarland until Jessica does odd jobs for her and [[HeelFaceTurn reintroduces her to the joy of Christmas.]]

''Prancer'' tropes on which Your Mileage May Vary include:

* Heck, Jessica's dad could be this. He's in deep financial trouble, such that he sees sending his only daughter to live with an aunt as the only solution. This becomes a downright TearJerker at the end when [[spoiler: Jessica's running away causes him to realize what he'd be giving up, and he promises she can stay with him.]]

** Prancer as well, considering he was injured, threatened with a gun, and eventually [[spoiler: sold to the local butcher]] as a Christmas attraction before Jessica rescued him.

* AbusiveParents: John Riggs is not classically abusive, nor does he mean to be in any context. However, his financial troubles and lack of support at home often lead him to be very abrupt and sometimes verbally harsh and borderline abusive with Jessica. Ding one scene, he forcibly drags her into his vehicle, which could be disturbing for some viewers.