Christmas elf

In English-speaking cultures, Christmas elves are diminutive elves that live with Santa Claus at the North Pole and act as his helpers. Christmas elves are usually depicted as green- or red-clad, with large, pointy ears and wearing pointy hats. They are most often depicted as humanoids, but sometimes as furry mammals with tails. Santa's elves are often said to make the toys in Santa's workshop and take care of his reindeer, among other tasks.

The association of Christmas presents with elves has precedents in the first half of the 19th century with the Scandinavian nisse or tomte, and Saint Nicholas himself is called an elf in A Visit from St. Nicholas (1823).

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