Christmas elves have become a beloved part of holiday traditions and folklore. These tiny helpers of Santa Claus are often depicted as industrious toymakers, mysteriously carrying out their workshop duties in secret at the North Pole. But where exactly did the idea of Christmas elves come from? Their origins are highly debated, rooted in ancient Norse and Germanic mythology, historical legends, and 19th century literary works.
Ancient Norse and Germanic Mythology
Many point to elf-like beings found in ancient Norse mythology as the earliest influences on the modern Christmas elf. In Norse folklore, elves were considered to be supernatural beings, similar to fairies. The earliest surviving mentions of elves come from the Prose Edda, written by Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson around 1220 AD. The Edda describes elves as luminous and beautiful creatures that live in the rocks and hills of Asgard, the realm of the gods.
In 13th century Icelandic poems, elves were also referred to as ‘hidden people’, invisible spirits that lived in nature and could choose to interact with humans if they desired. The elves in early Norse mythology were not always considered benevolent however, and could reportedly cause illness and misfortune if offended.
Related creatures from Germanic mythology also share similarities with elves. The German word for nightmare, ‘Albtraum’, originated from the ancient Germanic term for a malevolent elf or goblin ‘Alb’. This spirit was believed to cause night terrors by sitting on a sleeping person’s chest.
Early Legends Linking Elves and Christmas
One of the earliest origins stories that linked elves specifically with Christmas came from a Scandinavian legend about cobblers and elves. In the tale, elves would come to a cobbler’s shop at night to help mend shoes and do other repairs that the cobbler couldn’t finish during the day. As a gift in return for their help, the cobbler would leave small treats like porridge out for the elves each night. This story helped establish the idea of elves as nocturnal workers and gift-givers.
Another Norse legend claims that elves delivered gifts on the 12 days of Christmas. The king of the elves, called the Jolner or Yule Lord, would lead a wild hunt through the sky on Yule Eve, delivering presents to well-behaved children. This precursor of Santa Claus rode a magical flying boar called Gullinbursti. Here, the concept of elfish gifts and Christmas gifts became linked.
Kekkonen: An Elfish Cobbler in Finnish Folklore
One famous folk tale about elves from Finland reinforced their Christmas gift-giving role even further. The story centers around an orphan named Kekkonen who had no family or home. On Christmas Eve, Kekkonen wandered into the city of Oulu and passed by a cobbler’s shop. The cobbler took pity on the boy and took him in as an apprentice. That night, Kekkonen noticed the cobbler left porridge out for ‘nisse’, creatures he called Christmas elves.
At midnight, tiny elves arrived at the shop and ate the porridge. The boy hid and watched as the elves finished all the cobbling work the man could not complete. In thanks for the food, the elves left gifts in children’s shoes that were repaired. Kekkonen worked for the cobbler as an apprentice for 7 years until the cobbler passed away, leaving him the shop.
Kekkonen continued leaving gifts of porridge out for the elves each Christmas Eve. They continued to repair all the shoes overnight, allowing him to deliver gifts to the children of Oulu the next morning. In some versions, Kekkonen would travel by flying reindeer to deliver presents. The generous cobbler who relied on helpful elves became a symbol of Santa Claus in Finnish tradition.
19th Century Literary Depictions of Elves
Elves became more standardized in English literature during the Victorian era. Writer Washington Irving first described Santa’s elves as small, bearded men in quilted green jackets and pointed shoes in his History of New York published in 1809. Inspired by Irving, the famous 1823 poem ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ by Clement Clarke Moore described St. Nick as a “jolly old elf” with a team of flying reindeer.
Later in that century, elf characters were further popularized in children’s fairy tales and fantasy stories. For instance, the 1857 Danish fairytale “The Elf Mound” told of elves that lived inside a mound on the edge of a village. At night, the elves would come into the village to dance and make mischief.
In the early 1860s, German illustrator Thomas Nast created Christmas drawings that established the short, stocky appearance of Santa’s elves. Nast drew the elves making toys and sweets in Santa’s workshop. Nast’s vision of industrious, small elves toiling away in Santa’s workshop became the archetype for modern depictions of Christmas elves.
Elves in Modern Christmas Tradition
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, elf characters became ingrained into Christmas tradition across much of Europe and North America. Elves began commonly appearing in children’s books, coloring books, holiday cards and magazines as jovial helpers of Santa Claus. With the growing popularity of department store Santas in the late 1800s and early 1900s, elves became standard characters to incorporate as part of the Santa experience.
In popular culture, one of the most well-known modern vision of Santa’s elves comes from the 1964 stop-motion animated television special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. The special featured Hermey the Misfit Elf, an elf that dreamed of becoming a dentist rather than following the path of a traditional Christmas elf. Other famous pop culture elf depictions include Buddy the elf from the 2003 comedy film Elf, and the elves featured in Christmas books like The Elf on the Shelf.
Today, Christmas elves remain one of the most beloved elements of holiday lore. They represent magic, whimsy, selflessness, and the Christmas spirit. While their exact origins are complex to trace, elves seem to be an amalgamation of various ancient myths, folk tales, legends, and 19th century literary works.
Conclusion
Christmas elves come from a mosaic of different sources. Ancient Norse legends portrayed elves as supernatural nature spirits that could be mischievous or helpful. Early European folk tales began merging elves into Christmas narratives, having them deliver gifts or assist with shoemaking duties around the holidays. By the 19th century, famous poems and illustrations standardized the tiny, festive appearance of Christmas elves. They became synonymous with Santa Claus and Christmas due to their depictions in children’s books, greeting cards, and department store Santas.
While there may never be a definitive origin, the vision of industrious elves making toys and helping Santa Claus became woven into the fabric of Christmas. Today, they remain symbols of the holiday season through their appearances in movies, stories, decorations, and traditions.
| Time Period | Development of Christmas Elves |
|---|---|
| Ancient Norse Mythology (900s AD – 1300s AD) | Elves described as supernatural spirits or ‘hidden folk’ that lived in nature |
| Medieval European Legends (1400s AD – 1700s AD) | Elves linked to gift-giving and described as helpers of early Santa figures |
| 19th Century Literature (early 1800s) | Elves became standardized in modern form in poems and illustrations |
| Victorian Era (mid/late 1800s) | Elves proliferated in children’s books, cards, and department store Santas |
| 20th Century Pop Culture (1900s – today) | Elves cemented as icons of Christmas through TV, film and traditions |