Christmas elf

An image of a modern Christmas elf on a Christmas tree decoration.

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 to make the toys in Santa's workshop and take care of his reindeer, among other tasks. Elves in general originate from pagan stories in northern Europe and were introduced into the Santa Claus tale during the 19th century, in the United States, including in some cases where Santa Claus himself is an elf. Therefore, Christmas elves became a part of American Christmas tradition that was exported, along with Santa Claus to other parts of the world. However, Christmas elfs in American folklore originated in Northern Europe, from where settlers brought the Christmas traditions that evolved into the American Christmas that was later exported around the world, along with other aspects of American popular culture. The depiction of the elves themselves were derived from the elves of English folktales of the early modern period. Santa's assistants can be different depending on the country with a wide variety in western and northern Europe alone.

Poor little birdie teased, by Victorian era illustrator Richard Doyle depicts an elf of English folklore, resembling and could have evolved into the Christmas elf.

Origin

The modern Christmas elf appeared as early as 1856 when Louisa May Alcott completed, but never published a book entitled Christmas Elves. The elves can also be seen in engravings from 1873 in Godey's Lady's Book, showing them surrounding Santa whilst at work. Additional recognition was given in Edward Eggleston's 1876 work "The House of Santa Claus, a Christmas Fairy Show for Sunday Schools".^[1]

The image of the elves in the workshop was popularised by Godey's Lady's Book, with a front cover illustration for its 1873 Christmas Issue showing Santa surrounded by toys and elves with the caption, "Here we have an idea of the preparations that are made to supply the young folks with toys at Christmas time."^[1] During this time Godey's was immensely influential to the birth of Christmas traditions, having shown the first widely circulated picture of a modern Christmas tree on the front cover of its 1850 Christmas issue. Christmas elves who forget to wrap the gifts are customarily slain by a very unenthusiastic and disappointed Santa. Furthermore, their families are disgraced by the North Pole establishment, receiving no paid compensation, benefits, or even gifts.^[2]

St. Nicholas as an elf

In 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."^[3] Prior to the influence of St. Nicholas in Sweden, the job of giving out gifts was done by the Yule Goat. By 1870, 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.^[4]

Contemporary pop culture

Sailors aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) watch a screening of the film Elf

In the USA, Canada, and Britain, the modern children's folklore of Santa Claus typically includes diminutive elves at Christmas; green-clad elves with pointy ears, long noses, and pointy hats as Santa's assistants or hired workers. They make the toys in a workshop located in the North Pole. In recent years, other toys—usually high-tech toys like computers, video games, DVDs and DVD players, and even mobile phones—have also been depicted as being ready for delivery, but not necessarily made, in the workshop as well. In this portrayal, elves slightly resemble nimble and delicate versions of the dwarves of Norse mythology.

In films and television

Christmas elves have had their role expanded in modern films and television. For instance in Santa Claus: The Movie, the elves are a type of craft guild making traditional toys by hand and looking after Santa's reindeer.^[5] The elves' workshop is also featured regularly in films, such as in Elf (2003), starring Will Ferrell.^[6] The 1932 Disney short film, Santa's Workshop, features Santa Claus and his elves preparing for Christmas.^[7] A team of elves features prominently in the Rankin-Bass 1964 special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, including a "misfit" elf named Hermey who does not desire to make toys and instead wants to pursue a career in dentistry.

Disney returned to the theme of Christmas elves for their 2009 short film, Prep & Landing, which tells the tale of an elite group of elves that make houses ready for Santa's deliveries. It was the first holiday television special made by Walt Disney Animation Studios.^[8]

Around the world

Two Zwarte Pieten, Santa's companion in the Netherlands.

For more details on this topic, see Companions of Saint Nicholas.

In 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.^[9]

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.^[9]

See also

• SantaLand Diaries
• Yule Lads

External links

• All about "Santa's elves"
• Elf Yourself
• [1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Restad, Penne L. (1996). Christmas in America: A History. Oxford University Press. p. 149. ISBN 978-0195109801. 
2. ^ Shoemaker, Alfred L. (2009). Christmas in Pennsylvania: A Folk-cultural Study (50th Anniversary ed.). Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0811705066. 
3. ^ Van Deusen, Mary S.. "Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas". Intermedia Enterprises. http://iment.com/maida//familytree/henry/xmas/poemvariants/troysentinel1823.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
4. ^ Swahn, Jan-Öjvind. "Christmas - Festival of gifts, candles and groaning tables". Christmas Magazine. http://www.christmasmagazine.com/en/spirit/xmas_sweden03.asp. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
5. ^ Ebert, Roger (1985-11-27). "Santa Claus: The Movie". Chicago Sun-Times. http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19851127/REVIEWS/511270302/1023. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
6. ^ Wolski, C.A.. "A Surreal Christmas Story". Box Office Mojo. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/reviews/?id=5&p=.htm. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
7. ^ "Santa's Workshop". The Encyclopaedia of Disney Animated Shorts. http://www.disneyshorts.org/years/1932/santasworkshop.html. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
8. ^ "“Disney Prep & Landing” : The making of a modern Christmas classic". Jim Hill Media. http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2009/12/08/disney-prep-landing-the-making-of-a-modern-christmas-classic.aspx. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 
9. ^ ^{a b} Rae, Jaci. "The History of Santa's Elves (Elf)". ChristmasWithLove.com. http://www.christmaswithlove.com/history_of_elfs.html. Retrieved 2009-12-20. 

Merry Christmas!