This time last year, I had just started in a new department at work. Along with my orientation package came an invitation to participate in the office Secret Santa gift exchange. I was hesitant because [read more]
Gifts are my favorite Christmas decoration. Each present is its own story—mysterious and offering the promise of joy—and the wrapping paper is the prologue. Watching as they are opened, and the heartfelt gifts inside discovered, [read more]
Christmas music chimes through overhead speakers, brightly colored lights gleam in window displays, and vast aisles of decor offer an assortment of musical novelty toys all belting out carols like a dissonant choir. Rushed shoppers [read more]
Buying gifts for seniors, whether your parents or another special person in your life, always seems strangely difficult, even as it feels more vital and urgent—and I think I’ve figured out why. They’ve had a [read more]
There’s a special magic that wells up in children everywhere this time of year—their hearts are filled with hope at just the thought of twinkling lights, happy carols, and the possibility of snow flurries to [read more]
Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold. — Author Unknown Ready or not, the holidays are here. Time to finish up the shopping and the wrapping. Time to [read more]
Well, business has sure picked up for the elves over the past few weeks and that means the much-anticipated holidays are just around the corner! Time to get your wish lists in order and start [read more]
There’s something so magical about baby’s first Christmas — a holiday season filled with wonder and awe. Curious eyes gaze at twinkling lights. Carols sung softly drift into baby’s sweet ears. Christmas card photos proudly [read more]
The holiday season has arrived quickly yet again this year – so much to do, so little time. But in the hustle and bustle of these crazy days, it’s also time to give thanks and [read more]
Comics Therapy is a weekly podcast that promises, “No Reviews, Just Analysis. Comics, our lives, and the big issues we all deal with.” The show is the work of two creators, Andrea Shockling and Aaron [read more]
Who doesn’t love and appreciate receiving a special handmade gift? For people who enjoy making crafts, sometimes they are more often on the giving side of handmade gifts, and less frequently receiving them. One group [read more]
As you can imagine, this time of year is very busy for all of us at Elfster. We love it. We wait all year for this, and we get so excited when our site gets [read more]
The Zac Brown Band enjoys phenomenal success. They have twelve hit singles, two platinum records, and a very loyal fan club, known as the Zamily. Currently over 13,000 members strong, they are leveraging the power [read more]
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]
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]
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]
Sending your child off to college can be one of the most bittersweet moments for any parent. There is joy to see the success and independence that your child has achieved, as well as worry [read more]
It sneaks up on us so fast…one minute the kids are going back to school. Suddenly, it’s time for Halloween. Soon, you’ll be celebrating Thanksgiving. Then it’s just a short month until Christmas. [read more]
You may not be thinking of the holiday season yet; after all, it’s still three months until Christmas. But the holidays can be a frantic, if amazing, time of the year when you don’t want [read more]
Every family’s heard it: “You don’t have to buy me anything this year!” Or, “I’ve got all the gifts I need, seriously.” And let’s not forget the old favorite, “Please don’t buy me a present.” [read more]
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
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]
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…
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]
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…
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]
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!
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]