The Elf That Came To Our House – A Holiday Tradition

The following was written about one of my families traditions that began back in 1967 when my older brother was just a toddler and I was only a few months old. I’ve been sharing this tradition online, via my blogs around the holidays since 2005. I hope you enjoy it.

Tony was a baby when his parents were told he had an incurable kidney disease and could not be exposed to others, especially during winter months for fear of becoming infected with any type of germ that could make him sick.

As Tony grew older he was sad at the fact that he could not be among the children in his small community that went to see Santa at the local Fire Department with their Christmas list in hand and who walked away with a bag full of holiday treats.

When Tony was three years old Santa came escorted by a fire truck to see him, with the siren screaming and lights flashing.

We lived in a very small town where things like this really did happen.

Tony was thrilled, he wanted to see Santa but like most kids, he was a little frightened at first. Tony ran to the stairs peering through the banister at the jolly old man decked out in red.

“Well young man come down and let me see you” said Santa “I can see you” replied Tony with eyes as wide as saucers. Santa climbed the stairs; and there they sat the two of them having a marvelous visit.

After their little chat, Santa stood to leave. Tony eased down the stairs with a smile that lit the room “you are a good boy” Santa said with smile and gave him a hug “I will be watching you until I return on Christmas Eve, be a good boy.”

After Santa had gone Tony noticed that an Elf had come to sit on a branch in his Christmas tree. “Mommy look, Santa left an Elf.”

And the tradition began…

The next morning when Tony woke, a note along with a small Christmas sock were left under the tree for Tony instructing him that when he had a good day there would be a surprise in the tiny sock each morning, if his day happened to be a bad one, the sock would be empty or worse, it would have a dirty rock in it.

The elf would move around the room watching over Tony. Elf might appear on top of the curtain, lamp, or pictures moving throughout the night. This was exciting for Tony although he never actually saw the elf move, he believed in his ability to fly while everyone was sleeping. Of course that’s when Elf would return to the North Pole to report back to Santa.

Santa had given strict instructions in a letter to mom, that Elf should never be touched or he would disappear never return. If Santa’s instructions were followed, each year on Thanksgiving night Tony was to ring a jingle bell that was tied with a red ribbon, just before going to bed and Elf would return for another Christmas Season.

Tony is no longer here, he passed away at the age of 13 but Elf was passed on to me, I’m Tony’s little sister. Then it passed on to my little brother Josh who enjoyed Elf’s annual visits for many years – even when the tale of Santa became questionable.

Most recently – Elf has been passed on to Trey and Coty (fourteen-year-old twins), who now know Elf is not real, but still believe in the magic that he brings with him each year when we place him in our family Christmas Tree and remember how the tradition began.

We’ve often created Elf Kits for close friends and family – included in a beautiful Christmas box is a letter from Santa telling the history of Elf, a letter to the parents instructing them on how the Christmas magic works, a jingle bell tied with a red ribbon, a small Christmas stocking (one for each child) and Tony the Elf. It’s been a wonderful gift that we’ve been able to share and a tradition we’re proud to pass on. It’s a way of keeping Tony alive in all of us.

Whenever we can, we share the tales of Elf with classmates, friends and anyone who truly believes in the wonderful magic this holiday season brings.

~*~*~*~*~* Start Your Own Family Tradition *~*~*~*~*~

If you’d like to introduce the tradition of Tony the Elf into your family – What you’ll need to make your own Elf Kits are:

The Elf of course – the elf is posable to make it easier to place him in various locations for maximum affect.

Letter from Santa for the kids on seasonal stationary (optional but it’s really effective!).

Jingle bell on red ribbon – used to single Santa that the Elf is ready for holiday magic to wake him.

Small stocking for daily surprises or dirty rocks – one sock for each child.

Keepsake tin or box for the elf to sleep in during the year.

Elf Kits can be created for under $20. Most everything you need I’ve been able to find at Menards in their holiday section.

I’ve just two simple wishes – if you do introduce the elf tradition into your home, you’ll eventually tell your child(ren) about the little boy named Tony that first believed in the Christmas magic the elf brings. And, if you do introduce elf into your family, won’t you share your story with my family? We do love to hear how Tony the Elf is transforming households at Christmastime.

Tags: elf, tradition, christmas, holiday, santa