In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and chopped chives. Use a hand mixer or a sturdy spatula to blend everything together until the mixture is completely smooth and the seasonings are evenly distributed.
Scrape the mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Gather the corners of the plastic wrap and pull them together, shaping the cheese into a tight, even sphere. Twist the top of the plastic wrap to seal it and maintain the round shape.
Place the wrapped cheese ball in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This chilling time is essential because it allows the flavors to meld and ensures the ball is firm enough to hold the decorations without sagging.
Once the cheese ball is firm, remove it from the refrigerator and take off the plastic wrap. Roll the ball in the chopped pecans until the entire surface is covered in a crunchy, brown layer, which mimics the reindeer’s fur. Place the coated ball on your serving platter.
Press two large twist pretzels into the top sides of the ball to act as the antlers. Place the two black olives in the center to serve as the eyes. Finally, press the cherry tomato or red bell pepper circle just below the eyes to create a bright red nose, giving your reindeer its finished look.
