Christmas

Last Minute Gifts

We’ve all been busy elves over the last few weeks. No matter which holiday you’re celebrating, it’s a time for family, goodwill, and renewal of relationships. Then all of a sudden, a knock comes at [read more]

Christmas

Cyber Week Deals

  Thanksgiving is now one for the memory books, and the hectic weekend is over. If you are tired from visiting all your favorite stores, or you just have not gotten started on your holiday [read more]

Christmas

Those Crazy Christmas Toys

Remember how when you were little, there was always that one thing you wanted to see under the tree?  Whether you were into the most obscure items or frantic for the most popular trinket of [read more]

Christmas

The Elf Week Glitter Gala: A Grand Finale!

Tonight, we’re throwing a season-end soiree to rival Mrs. Claus’s bachelorette party! In celebration of a Christmas well-done, the Elf Week Glitter Gala will honor our initiates for their hard work and dedication this Holiday season. Newcomers will be officially inducted into the Kris Kringle Club, enjoying bottomless eggnogs and cookie dough hors d’oeuvres (raw, of course).

Since New Year’s is just around the corner, we recommend you take a look at these handy Elf Help articles for your own party-planning pleasure!

Selecting a Venue: Bonjour Events’ Dinner Planning Advice

Eggcelent Eggnog Alternatives

Tickled Pink Cocktails

Glitter Gala Highlights

At a great gig like the Glitter Gala, every elf is a winner! Here are some of the perks enjoyed by our new elf inductees:

• Official “Santa’s Helper” uniform

• A pair of the pointiest shoes on the planet
[read more]

Christmas

The Elf Week Whippersnapper Round-up

This is the morning! If there’s ever a time for your angelic little snow bunny to unleash their inner “Naughty Kid” it’s today. Believe you we, they will take full advantage of this allowance! Billy hasn’t given up his slingshot all year for nothing…
When bouncing off the walls like a bonbon in a Piñata, children can make it difficult for a parent to keep the Spirit of the Season. So today’s Elf Week challenge is devoted to taming the tots during the Holidays. We call it the Whippersnapper Round-up!

Now, we know your little Sugar Plum is perfectly well-behaved, even on a day like today. But we suggest you take a look at these “Elf Help” articles anyway… For future reference!

The Elfster Guide to First-Class Teacher Gifts

Elfster Recommends: For the Kids!

Green Santa: Eco-friendly Toys for Eco-friendly Kids

Now, for the highlights of the Whippersnapper Round-up…

Current Standings

Elf Ed currently has an air-tight grip on the lead, having dominated the infamous “Pass the Tyke” test. He managed to toss 98 youngsters across Santa’s lap in less than a minute with not one parental complaint! Ed says this gift is both an art and a science, but attributes his stamina to a daily dose of extra-caffeinated cocoa.
[read more]

Christmas

The Elf Week Mall Duty March

On your mistletoes! Today is your final chance to grab those last-minute holiday gifts before Santa beats you to the tree. Now, we elves have spent an entire month posing for pictures in department stores across the globe, and frankly, our cheeks are getting tired… This Elf Week Mall Duty March sure has been a doozy!

Wild reindeer couldn’t drag us back into the mall after this rigorous event, but if Christmas snuck up on you, you might still have some last minute items to pick-up. Unfortunately, it’s a bit late for online shopping delivery, so you’ve basically got no choice but to brave the mall. Whatever you do, don’t panic! Just take a quick gander at these informative Elf Help articles, and you’ll be ready to crank the sleigh back into shopping mode in no time…

Shopping Therapy: Mall Stress-Busters

Man-Up at the Mall: A Guy’s Holiday Game Plan

Now, here’s what we’ve been up to all day with the Mall Duty March…

Current Standings

Elf Adrian has officially yelled “Dibs!” the loudest, earning First Place in this claims-staking event of the March. Apparently, he spotted an Amazon.com gift card he’s been jonesing for all year, and simply couldn’t contain himself. [read more]

Christmas

The Elf Week Reindeer Rally

Antlers Away! Today marks the midpoint of the Elf Week festivities, and we celebrate by paying homage to Elf’s Best Friend. The Reindeer Rally is a challenge that tests our way with the beasts, and also spruces the deer up in time for their Christmas debut.

In addition to rigorously training for the Rally, we elves have been diligently clipping the Reindeers hooves, making sure they produce that festive rooftop “Click, click, click!” sound that we all know and love. But whether your pet is a dog, cat, polar bear or penguin, we say they’re entitled to a little primping every now and again, and the holidays are the perfect time to show your appreciation! Giving your pet a Happy Holidays is easier than you might think. Just follow the advice of these handy Elf Help articles on the matter:

Gifts for the Dog Who’s Naughty and Nice
Ready for National Dog Day!

Now back to our coverage of the Reindeer Rally!

Current Standings

Elf Peter is in the lead, putting his final coat of shellac on Rudolph’s nose. (You didn’t think it shined all on its own, did you?) This task is a necessity for both aesthetic and weather-proofing purposes, and Peter is performing flawlessly. Looks like Rudolph will be named “Best in SNOW” for the 300th Christmas in a row!

The Talent portion of the competition has been dominated by Elf Shannon, who in Second Place, has choreographed quite an impressive routine for ole Blitzen. [read more]

Christmas

The Elf Week Lumberjack Jamboree

In a season so heavily perfumed with pumpkin-spice-this and cinnamon-scented-that, today, we take a moment to stop and smell the sawdust. We of course, refer to the Elf Week Lumberjack Jamboree!

In celebration of all things “dude”, today we hold an event so manly, so swaggering, that the only price for admission is a well-articulated grunt. But be forewarned… The Lumberjack Jamboree is no hayride!

If all this “He-Elf” talk has got you just the teensiest bit intimidated, you might want to read-up on how to beef-up your Christmas holiday. To put some hair on your chin, we recommend a heaping helping of these hearty Elfster blog articles:

Man-Up at the Mall: A Guy’s Holiday Game Plan

Left-Brain Tips for the Right “Guy” Gift

DIY for Dads

Now, back to our live coverage of the Lumberjack Jamboree…

Current Standings

Splitting a Sequoia-sized candy cane with a single swing of the axe put Elf Ed in an early lead this morning.

[read more]

Christmas

The Elf Week Wrapping Paper Relay

Roll out the transparent tape, and get your elf-friendly scissors into cutting position. Today is Day 2 of Elf Week 2010, and the Wrapping Paper Relay is well underway! If you haven’t been training for this strenuous sporting event, we won’t lie… You’re at risk for some serious hand cramps. So before you get “wrappy happy” on an unsuspecting Hula Hoop, read our official Elf Help Gift Wrapping articles for a helpful series of holiday how-to’s!

Shopping Bag Chic
The No-Wrap Gift Guide

Now, back to the Relay…

Current Wrapping Paper Relay Standings
Running on top of a giant roll of wrapping paper is no small feat…and it’s especially challenging while crossing a swimming pool full of hot eggnog! Still, in Fifth Place, Elf David is managing to keep his balance rather nicely. David caused a stir earlier this morning when he entered the arena wearing some fancy footwear (pointy elf clogs with separated toes!) But David swears by them, and seems to think they’ll give him and extra leg-up in the competition. We’ll have to wait and see…

In Fourth Place, Elf Shannon has now advanced to the paper-sizing portion of the relay.
[read more]

Christmas

Elf Week Kick-off: The Rookies n’ Milk Marathon!

We’ve gone Macadamia Nuts these past few weeks in preparation for Elf Week’s opening event, The Rookies n’ Milk Marathon. From stretching our stomachs at the All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Palace, to growing our milk mustaches just the way we like them, we haven’t worked this hard since Rudolph got stuck in the doggie door!

Well, it’s now officially “crunch time” and we’ve got all the delicious details of the Rookies n’ Milk events, right here on the Elfster Blog!

Remember, if you’re following the Elf Week competitions at home, be sure to keep an eye out for our updates this week. Check out these official Rookies n’ Milk “Elf-Help” articles in the meantime!

Current Standings

Elf Julie is presently in the lead, having successfully scarfed the North Pole’s entire population of gingerbread men. She is now speed-skating over Lake Freeze-Pop with the finish line in sight. But don’t count your turtledoves before they hatch! Julie is recovering from a brain freeze injury last week, and only time will tell how she holds up for the final moments of the race.

Buttered Rum is no match for Elf Peter who is chugging for Second at the Sleigh Bell Saloon.
[read more]

Christmas

Shopping Bag Chic: DIY Holiday Gift Wrap

Is it just us, or does holiday gift wrap seem to be disappearing faster than a snowman in a sauna?

At many stores, all that’s left of your wrapping paper options are birthday and baby shower themes, which, you have to admit, you momentarily considered buying in a pinch. Though there are several ways to rationalize this thinking, the truth of the matter is, adorning your gifts with the announcement “It’s a Boy” will only cause confusion at the Christmas tree.

Don’t let the seasonal shortage in wrapping paper be your unraveling! We’re here to tell you, a simple, cost-effective solution is already in the bag…

Retailers are really stepping up their game when it comes to decorative shopping bags this season. Pretty ribbon drawstrings and glossy, eye-catching designs mean consumers look more chic than ever toting around their holiday purchases. So why not use these pre-made packages as your own wrapping material when you get home? With this solution, design and color scheme are already chosen for you, serving as a stylish, semi-subtle hint to the contents within.

A Few Tips:

• Keep the bag as flat and wrinkle-free as possible when transporting your goods.

• After emptying its contents, cut the bag vertically along one corner creases, stopping at the base.

[read more]

Christmas

Man-Up at the Mall: A Guy’s Holiday Game Plan

Three words: Extended Holiday Hours. If you’re a guy, the acronym probably sums up your opinion of seasonal shopping pretty well (“EHH…”). But unfortunately, this disinterest does little to shield you from the mall-time mayhem. One way or another, you invariably end up accompanying your wife or girlfriend to her yearend retail pilgrimage. And it doesn’t even matter if you’ve been naughty or nice!

“Sure, I’ll meet you in Sporting Goods in an hour,” she claims. But by lunch, you’re still waiting, and ready to take a candy cane to the gut just to feel alive.

At Elfster, we think the secret to avoiding the doldrums in a situation like this is to have a game plan. So to reach out to dudes the world over, we stepped away from our workbench and designed a detailed agenda to help whittle away those “extended hours” at the mall. We know it’s no trip to the lumber yard, but compared to twelve hours of world-class thumb-twiddling, we think it’ll suffice.

1:00 pm-

Find a bench, read-up on your Emotional Intelligence 2.0, and bask in your newfound popularity among single moms.

2:00 pm-

Lay low in the Men’s Room after the unexpected influx of marriage proposals.
[read more]

Christmas

Eggcelent Eggnog Alternatives

Like the great debate of “glass half empty or glass half full”, eggnog, too, can be a divisive subject. We elves happen to love the holiday staple even in our breakfast cereal, but we also understand that it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. That’s why we compiled a short list of eggnog alternatives for you to try at your next holiday party… Okay, so our motives aren’t pure as the driven snow (more eggnog for us), but that’s not to say we don’t think these recipes are every bit as delicious. Try them, and if you care to add a little “holiday spirit” to the recipes, we won’t tell Santa, either!

Cinnamon Apple Shakes

3 cups vanilla ice cream
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup cinnamon applesauce
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping
1/2 tsp. rum extract (optional)
[read more]

Christmas

Sweet Smelling Ornaments for a Natural Noel

This year, finding eye-catching, affordable Christmas ornaments doesn’t have to feel like searching for the Eternal Fountain of Eggnog. (Oh, it’s out there…) But an easy, natural solution to tree trimming is as close as nearest the produce section!

We admit, sometimes the “smell of Christmas” can be about as subtle as a dip in a vat of aftershave, and the hunt for a more muted fragrance can be equally daunting.

That’s why when we came across this project from younghouselove.com, we couldn’t wait to show you their simple solution!

If you’re as excited about the Elf Week Glitter Gala as we are, you’re probably spinning garland in anticipation at this very moment. But with homemade dried citrus ornaments, you’ll get the added benefit of aromatically accenting that Christmas tree smell without overpowering it. [read more]

Christmas

Shopping Therapy: Mall Stress-Busters

By now, we all know Santa’s stance on pouting, shouting and crying. (Apparently, we “better not!”) But we also know that one bad trip to a seasonal shopping mall is enough to make even Tiny Tim go postal. So what’s an elf to do when the stress boils over like a hot chocolate gone wrong? Use these simple relaxation tricks, of course!

At Elfster, we’ve been through enough holiday shopping seasons to know that deep, cleansing breaths simply won’t cut it when someone cuts in line. And there’s no mantra in the world that’ll make parking a delight. So you can chant a soothing “ho ho ho” if it’s any fun for you, but for the best stress management at the mall, here’s what we suggest:

Wheezey Does It

Losing your breath in the retail race can have your chest feeling tighter than Santa’s tummy in a man girdle. But when you start to hyperventilate, don’t panic! Bloomingdale’s Big Brown Bagdoubles as a pretty nice respiratory aid. A few puffs in and out, and you’ll be back on your pointed little feet again in no time!
[read more]

Christmas

Tips To Organize An Office Secret Santa

It just isn’t the Holidays until Blitzen gets blitzen’ at the annual stable party… Let’s face it, Santa deals with enough awkward situations in his line of work. Fortunately, your office Secret Santa doesn’t have to, thanks to Elfster! With the high-tech help of anonymous questions and wish lists for every coworker, this year your workplace gift exchange can be more enjoyable than ever! And you don’t have to butter-up the IT Guy to do it. Elfster is so easy, a Garden Gnome could use it! Check out the demo and these starter tips:

Tip #1 Use the bulk invitation option where you can just type in a list of email addresses, or if you have a large company, use the sign up link and send it via email to your coworkers.

[read more]