In American folklore, a Christmas elf is a diminutive creature (elf) that lives with Santa Claus in the North Pole and acts as his helper. Christmas elves are often depicted as green or red clad with pointy ears, long noses, and pointy hats. Santa's elves are often said to make the toys in Santa's workshop and take care of his reindeer, among other tasks.
They were first introduced by Louisa May Alcott in 1856. The Santa Claus character is somewhat older, emerging in US folklore in the early 19th century from an amalgamation of various European Christmas traditions, especially from English Father Christmas and Dutch Sinterklaas. The association of Christmas presents with elves has precedents in the first half of the 19th century with the Tomte in Scandinavia, and Father Christmas himself was identified as an elf in A Visit from St. Nicholas (1823).
The Elves are very busy, so asking Santa early allows plenty of time for the Elves to finish their work at the North Pole! Simply write a letter to Santa asking him to reserve a special Elf to visit and spend Christmas at your home. Crackers and water are the tasty treat that helps lure an Elf Magic Elf to the home – so be sure you put them out at night while waiting for the Elf to arrive… the Elf will want at least one serving a night. Why crackers and water, you might wonder? The crackers sound like crunching snow, and the water is melted North Pole Snowflakes, of course!
- To the surprise of all, an Elf “Magically” appears at your home between Thanksgiving and Christmas. That is… once the Elf has finished all of his or her work at the North Pole. Be sure to check for the snowflake on the Elf’s heart placed there by Santa, himself – that’s how you’ll know it’s an authentic Elf Magic Elf!
- An Elf Magic Elf brings a poem, which explains his or her visit, and Magic North Pole Snowflakes, which are sprinkled on the Elf each night to bring him or her to life. This allows allowing the Elf to go on all types of adventurous Elfcapades! The Elf hides each night waiting to be found the next morning. Wonder where he or she might hide first?
- All the fun doesn’t just happen at night – Elf Magic Elves love to go with you on all of your adventures throughout the day. Their visit is only for a short time, so playing and traveling with the Elf Magic Elf makes the visit even more special and creates family memories that will last a lifetime.
- On Christmas Eve night all of the Elves will be picked up by Santa to help him deliver the toys and they will return to the North Pole for a much needed rest! Although it is sad to see the Elf go, this special friend will magically return each year to celebrate Christmas again. However, since a whole year is so long for some Elves to stay away, they occasionally drop back in briefly for birthdays and other special occasions, with parents’ permission of course!
Elf Magic is the timeless Christmas-Elf tradition that has created special memories for countless children and families around the world for decades. When considering Christmas traditions that bring the season to life, it’s natural to conjure up stories of Santa… Well, the Elf Magic Elves have something different in mind! Through the years, Elf Magic Elves and families have created lasting memories of the Elfcapade® adventures together. Children young and old look forward to the annual visits from the adventurous Elves, but it is the bond of friendship that is created with the Elves that the family will remember and treasure forever.
Santa allows his Elves to visit so they can encourage an upbeat Christmas, animated through nightly adventures and daily play. Santa wants the Elves to help children create memories, have "good old-fashioned" fun, and reinforce the true meaning of Christmas and family values. A visit from one of Santa’s Elf Magic Elves will bring the wonder, magic, and meaning back into Christmas!
Magic Elf Tradition: Will Santa's Magic Elf Visit Your Home?
ReplyDeleteChoose a time for the visit
What's the right time for the Elf to arrive? Thanksgiving weekend? Two weeks before Christmas? When the family puts up the Christmas tree?
Choose a date for the Elf's arrival, and prepare for fun!
Whenever he or she arrives, Santa's Magic Elf will need a passport.
Print a Letter of Introduction
Your Elf will need a letter of introduction, explaining why he or she is visiting the family. We make it easy with a selection of free printable letters from Santa, or you can create your own letter of introduction.
Santa will need to explain that the Elf has come to report the behavior of good little boys and girls, and that he or she will be returning to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.
Given Elves' well-known propensity to misbehave, a warning about Elf Mischief might be in order.
Create an Elf Report
Santa's Elf will need a way to make his report. Give the Elf a small notebook, or print our free Elf Report--it's where Santa's Elf will record his observations for the year (and be a cherished keepsake after the holidays).
Introduce the Elf to the Family
Will the Elf arrive in a basket on the doorstep? Will he make a magical trip down the chimney? Will he be found on or under the Christmas tree?
However he gets there, know that Santa's Elf always likes to make a splash when he arrives!
Watch Santa's Magic Elf make his report
Each night, the Elf will find a new place to hide; he'll want to make a thorough report to Santa. Since he's here to look for good behavior, he'll have to travel all through the house in the course of his visit.
Elves can go to sleep in some of the most unlikely places! It's often necessary for the children to search the house in the morning to find the sleepy Elf.
Watch Out for Elf Mischief
Late at night, Santa's Magic Elf is able get into all sorts of mischief!
Elves have been known to spill sugarbowls (and leave their tracks in the spill), bounce on the sofa (disarranging the cushions), grab the remote for some late night television, check out the refrigerator, hide in pockets or leave small surprises for their young friends.
You'll find loads and loads of ideas for Elf Mischief on the Magical Holiday Home Magic Elves message boards. Our friends know that Elves are much more inclined to get into trouble when they're away from Santa!
Help the Elf's subjects write a letter to Santa
Naturally, the Elf is hoping that Santa will receive a good report about him, too. The children may wish to write to Santa, and tell him about the Elf's visit. They may even ask to be visited next year, so be sure the Elf has letters for Santa when it's time to return.
Return to the North Pole
Be sure Santa's Magic Elf is packed and ready to go on December 24th. He can wait for Santa in a stocking or near Santa's cookies and milk, but he'd better have his journal and any letters for Santa and be ready to leave.
Santa's in a hurry on Christmas Eve, and can't wait around for a laggard Elf!
Christmas Elf
ReplyDeleteIn American folklore, a Christmas elf is a diminutive creature (elf) that lives with Santa Claus in the North Pole and acts as his helper. Christmas elves are often depicted as green or red clad with pointy ears, long noses, and pointy hats. Santa's elves are often said to make the toys in Santa's workshop and take care of his reindeer, among other tasks.
They were first introduced by Louisa May Alcott in 1856. The Santa Claus character is somewhat older, emerging in US folklore in the early 19th century from an amalgamation of various European Christmas traditions, especially from English Father Christmas and Dutch Sinterklaas. The association of Christmas presents with elves has precedents in the first half of the 19th century with the Tomte in Scandinavia, and Father Christmas himself was identified as an elf in A Visit from St. Nicholas (1823).
St. Nicholas as an elf
ReplyDeleteIn Clement Clarke Moore's 1823 poem A Visit from St. Nicholas (more commonly known today as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas), Santa Claus himself is described in line 45 as, "He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf." Prior to the influence of St. Nicholas in Sweden, the job of giving out gifts was done by the Yule Goat. By 1890, the saint had become so well known that he could no longer be ignored.[clarification needed] He became merged with the Tomten, which was previously an elfish/dwarfish farm guardian. Following the work of artist Jenny Nyström, this hybrid figure became known as the Jultomten.
Christmas elves around the world
ReplyDeleteIn different countries, Santa's helpers go by different names. In Iceland they are the Yule Lads who between December 12 and 24, a different Lad visit homes each day to leave presents and play tricks on children. In the Netherlands, the companion is called Zwarte Piet (Black Peter), in Germany they are the Knecht Ruprecht and in Luxembourg they are known as Hoesecker. In the eastern regions of France, Père Fouettard accompanies Santa Claus, distributing coal to the naughty children.
In Nordic countries an elf will usually wear only red instead of the green and red outfits they are known for in English speaking countries.
Here's the link to learn more about Elves
ReplyDeletehttp://www.elf-magic.com
Fact File ~ History of Christmas Elfs
ReplyDelete~ Elves are commonly known for the help they give Santa Clause. They go by the names: Santa's Little Helpers, Santas Elves, Christmas Elfs and Christmas Elves
~ Elves appeared in stories before St. Nicholas who is believed to be Santa Clause
~ This therefore makes Elves older than Father Christmas himself
~ Santa Clause has often been refereed to as a Jolly old Elf throughout history
~ In Scandinavia a Jolly old Elf named Jultomten was said to have delivered gifts in a sleigh drawn by goats
~ Santa's Elves live at the North Pole helping him all year round to enable him to deliver gifts to children all around the world
Jobs of Santa's Elves include:
~ To sort through letters that children send Santa
~ Making the toys for the children of the world
~ Take care of the reindeer, feeding them and cleaning their shelter
~ Maintaining the sleigh
~ Maintaining Santa's workshop where the toys are made
~ To make sure that all children are asleep before Santa delivers their presents
~ To give you a secret Christmas name when you are born.
To discover what your special Christmas name see Elf Name Generator.
So, one day I had to pass one very interesting quest in MMO-game. It was Elven wizard class change quest. Quest that must be fulfilled to change occupations to an Elven Wizard. Rosella speaks that only the one who gets the jewels that represent each of the 4 elements may become an Elven Wizard. She hands you the Fertility Peridot, which symbolizes earth, and asks you to find the rest. And in order to prove your magical abilities and power, using your initial skills of the water element, and as they become more powerful during your development. So I'm concerned that the Elves are powerful elemental magicians in games .
ReplyDeleteA valuable Christmas addition, ho-ho-ho!
DeleteNo more comments, pls!
ReplyDelete