The History of Santa's Elves (Elf)
St. Nick has many helpers in all the different countries around the world. While each Elf goes back and forth to Santa's Workshop, many live in the countries they originate from.
In some countries where English is the main language, these helpers are called Santa's Elves. The green and red clad helpers (Elf) wrap the gifts and make the tops in Santa's Workshop, which is located in the Arctic North Pole.
In days gone by, children loved St. Nick, but were afraid of his helpers. For it was told that is was the helpers who kept track of who had been naughty and who had been nice. Naughty children would get coal in their stockings and may even be carried away in the helper's bags until they learned to be good.
Currently, in America, if a child is naughty during the year, Santa may leave coal or "snowman poop."
The poem that Santa includes with the snowman poop is:
"You've been awfully bad;
So here's the scoop.
All you get in your stocking is snowman poop."
If a child gets coal or snowman poop in their stocking on St. Nick's day, they do have one more chance to behave. They must behave until Christmas Eve when if they have been good, Santa may return their real stocking with goodies inside.
If the child gets snowman poop in their stocking on Christmas Eve, they will have to be good all year if they don't want to get it again the next Christmas Eve!
What can you do to help keep an Elf from playing pranks on you on Stocking Day or Christmas Eve?
Rumor has it that if you leave a bowl of porridge out for an Elf, it will help keep them from playing any pranks on you.
What is an Elf called in other countries
In the Netherlands, this helper is called Black Peter.
In Iceland they are called Yule Lads
In Germany, they are Knecht Ruprecht.
In many parts of France, the helpers are called, Père Fouettard.
In Luxembourg, they are known as Hoesecker.
In Nordic Countries such as Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, an Elf will usually only wear red, not the red and green known in English speaking countries.
In Iceland, from December 12 to December 24 the 13 the Yule Lads visit homes (a different Yule Lad visits every day). It's during that time that the Yule Lads leave presents and also play tricks on the children.
Christmas With Love Hosted and Written by (unless otherwise specified) Jaci Rae.
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