
Articles by Stephanie


Angry Birds Land Smack-Dab on Elfster App

Go Ahead: Wish for the Pony!

Joy to the Dorm: College Gift Exchange Goes Global

Gift Smart with Elfster’s Free Holiday Apps

Elfster’s Favorite Fall Gifts (So Far!)

Elfster Spotlight : Call for Nominations

Secret Santa : Getting the Family Onboard

Faux Seasons : Fashion No-No’s for Every Holiday

New Release : One-to-One Wishlist Sharing!

December in July : The PC Elf’s Alternative

Fourth of July Party Ideas : Decorations of Independence

Memoir-ial Day: Best Biographical Beach Reads

Friday the 13th : Spooky Treats by the Baker’s Dozen

Cinco de Mayo: 10 Worst Piñata Fillers

Rainy Day Rescue

An Open Letter From the Easter Bunny

Belated Thank-You Notes: The No-Shame Guide
Here we are, almost three months into 2011. Practically one quarter of the year has passed, and it seems like only yesterday you were jamming to holiday hits, wondering just what figgy pudding really was.
But by now, you’ve probably discarded the tree and paper snowflakes. And if you’ve forgotten to send your holiday thank-you notes, well, you’ve literally dis-carded more than that! Your friends and loved ones have (regrettably) been gypped of your proper gratitude.
If the guilt is finally starting to creep in, don’t fret. We might be glorifying procrastination here, but Elfster believes that a late thank-you note actually presents a golden opportunity for extending holiday cheer, and pleasant surprises are simply never a bad thing!
Are we making you feel any better? Now that you’ve found the necessary motivation to write a belated holiday thank-you note, here are a few strategies to give it character and tact:
“Let’s not tell Santa about this, shall we?”
Reference to a higher authority will help the recipient to remember that no one is perfect. Try to mention the special “powers that be” in your life to customize the message.

10 Pick-up Lines You’ll Only Hear from an Elf
• People tell me I look like Cupid.
• You bring out the Yeti in me!
• I don’t wiggle my ears for just anyone, you know.

11 Big Ideas for Year-Round Gifting
• Improve your snow-shoveling skills …
• Finally make a conscious effort to wash behind those pointed little ears…
Whatever your New Year’s resolution, there’s always one vice you can feel good about indulging in. (No, not reindeer tipping.) We’re talking about giving! When it comes to gift-oholics, we elves are proud to admit… We’re enablers!
To help make this year more memorable than ever, here are a few new ways to get your giving fix in 2011… only on Elfster!
• Birthdays
These prime present opportunities have a tendency to sneak up on everyone. But this year, you’ll never forget a buddy’s birthday with Elfster’s helpful reminders in advance! If you’re still a hopeless procrastinator, don’t fret. Our customized Wishlist feature ensures that you’ll always find something meaningful, even when time is tight.
• Study Groups
Cramming for an exam is about as fun as giving Blitzen a booster shot. Since your study group spends an awful lot of time hitting the textbooks, an Elfster gift exchange is the perfect way to inject some fun into your sessions. Find out your buddy’s favorite “Brain Food” or relaxation aid, and surprise them on test day with a “Good Luck” gift.

The Elf Week Glitter Gala: A Grand Finale!
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
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

The Elf Week Whippersnapper Round-up
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.

The Elf Week Mall Duty March
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.

The Elf Week Reindeer Rally
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.