MODERN CHRISTMAS elves find their origin in the house gnomes of the Scandinavia present since the pagan times. It was believed that these gnomes guarded homes against evil and were benevolent and helpful to good people. However, they could be quite nasty to people who were rude to them or had been naughty and then, they are even depicted as trolls and cannibals. Thus, for centuries, they were both loved and loathed. In the mid-1800s, Scandinavian writers such as Thile, Toplius, Rydberg transformed the image of these gnomes to Christmas elves that were almost like mischievous fairies but were good at heart.

In keeping with the popularization of Christmas, they were depicted as true friends and helpers of Father Christmas or Santa Claus. Artists such as Hansen and Nyström painted Santa's elves in their present forms. At first, it was believed that Santa and his elves lived at North Pole but when it was found in 1925 that North Pole has no reindeers but there is a huge population of reindeers in Lapland, Finland, people started believing that since reindeers draw the sleigh of Santa Claus, he must be living in an area, where there are large number of these animals available. Since then, it is believed that there is a secret village with a secret passage, somewhere in Lapland, where Santa, his wife and his team of elves live.

The secret of its location is known only to Father Christmas and the elves but still people believe that it is somewhere in Korvatunturi mountain in the Savukoski county of Lapland on the Finnish-Russian border. Some people that Santa employs six elves, while others think that he has nine elf assistants. Others think that there are as many as 13 elves living with Santa to help him. Elves are the children of Gryla and Leppaludi and are very clever. They help Santa to design toys and process requests of children that are sent to them through snail mail or emails. The popular Western names of the Christmas elves helping Santa Claus and their duties are as follows:

1. Alabaster Snowball - Administrator of the Naughty & Nice list.

2. Bushy Evergreen - Inventor of the magic toy-making machine.

3. Pepper Minstix - Guardian of the secret of where Father Christmas's village is located.

4. Shinny Upatree - The oldest friend of Santa and the cofounder of the secret village in Lapland.

5. Sugarplum Mary - Head of the Sweat Treats, she is also known as Mary Christmas. She is an assistant to Mrs Claus and helps her in the kitchen.

6. Wunorse Openslae - Designer of Father Christmas's sleigh and responsible for its maintenance. He also looks after the reindeers and it is believed that his reindeers reach speeds faster than Christmas tree lights.

The ancient folklores of Iceland mention elves by the names of Askasleikir, Bjugnakraekir, Faldafeykir, Gattathefur, Giljagaur, Gluggagaegir, Ketkrokur, Kertasnikir, Pottasleikir, Skyrjarmur, Stekkjarstaur, Stufur and Thvorusleikir. Other names of Santa's elves that can be found are Baggalutur, Bjalmans barnid, Bjalminn sjalfur, Bitahaengir, Frodusleikir, Laekjaraegir, Raudur, Redda, Sledda, Steingrimur, Syrjusleikir, Tifill and Tutur. On 6th of January or the last day of Christmas, it is believed that the elves light up their torches and come down from their secret village in the mountain to play in a secret field and celebrate the successful completion of their Christmas project.

In the modern world we now have the latest Yuletide defenders called the Elves in Black (E.I.B.). They say they are commissioned to protect the spirit of Christmas. Their dress code is black and they declare to be are armed with elfin intellect, tools, charm and good looks. They defend the spirit of Christmas against naysayers including grinches, heat mizers, scrooges and of late pure commercialism. They are sworn by the EIB code and must remain unseen whilst defending the spirit of Christmas!

Children all over the world can now join and be a member of the world’s most elite team dedicated to keeping the spirit alive. Once joined kids are issued with official EIB Agent Certification and receive fun training! To join the club visit www.christmas.com This is a really fun way for children to get into the spirit of Christmas and enjoy the virtues of the elves!