| By Elf Magic | Special Halloween Edition! |
Hello, dear friends! I hope this special Halloween edition of "St. Nick's News" finds you well! I can't believe another year is almost through. I'm so glad that's the case, however, because it means that most of my Elves will be departing the North Pole in just one month to spend their "Christmas Break" with your families again. Have you been counting down the days? I know we have! Jingle and Jangle report that there's been a constant chatter of the Elves discussing new Elfcapade™ ideas, or simply about how much they're looking forward to being in your arms again — Christmas is truly the best time of year!
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So much has happened since I last wrote you with news of Cousin Patrick's visit on St. Patrick's Day. If you'll recall, he was joined by Elf Magic's newest family members — Red-headed boy and girl Elves with freckled faces and green clothing! They have settled in very nicely at the North Pole and are so excited to be making their debut at many of your homes this year.
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Well, it turns out that Cousin Patrick's visit was just the beginning of the excitement that would unfold over the remainder of 2010. As we've hinted on Facebook and Twitter, the Elves have been working extra hours to finish several groundbreaking projects just in time for Christmas. (Yes, they've been making your toys, too)!
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For starters, Charlotte and her crew of cutting-edge designers at Forever Elf Fashions have come up with a few of the most chic Elfits™ yet: The Magic Pumpkin Costume (just in time for Halloween!), Sweet Dreams Flannel Nightgown, Peppermint PJ's, Full of Spice Nightshirt and the Get Well Soon Gown! Our Fashion Editor, Elf Willow, has more on these stylish new additions below.
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Next, did you know there's an Elf Magic Architecture School? A few years ago, Mrs. Claus and I decided to train a few highly-skilled Elves to design and build new schools, community and recreational centers, because I didn't have time to do it all myself! Well, this talented bunch surprised us all a few months ago by unveiling their most ambitious project yet: The SnowCase™, an Elves' "home away from home"! I can't tell you how pleased I am with this project. Vanessa, our Arts Critic, has the scoop.
And, finally, one of our most important works ever has been completed: A beautifully-illustrated book and DVD set entitled, Elf Magic, the Story of a Timeless Christmas Tradition! This is the very same story I read to my Elves each year before they depart the North Pole, a tale that explains how Elf Magic got started and how it relates to the true meaning of Christmas. And, now your family can sit by the fireplace and enjoy a copy all your own! Riley, our Book Reviews Editor, has more below.
As you can see, we've been very busy since last Christmas. And, these are just the highlights! To say that I'm "proud" of my Elves would be an understatement.
Alright, it's time I hand over the reigns to the real reporters. Thank you so much for your time and for sharing the Elf Magic Tradition with us each year — it is such a blessing to Mrs. Claus and I! Until next time, please remember to continue sharing your Elves' adventures with me on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and if you know a friend or family member who would love Elf Magic, please forward this SNN! (If you don't want to receive future editions of SNN, simply click the 'SafeUnsubscribe' link at the bottom).
I hope you find the magic of Christmas in your everyday!
Fall Line from Forever Elf Fashions is Equal Parts Costume and Comfort
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At last year's Fashion Week, Charlotte and her team of designers unveiled the oh-so-charming Snowflake Princess Dress, which retailers say flew off their shelves, especially at Polly's, where Elves can always find the latest fashions. Not content to stop there, this year, the Forever Elf Fashions crew has unveiled no less than five new outfits, in addition to overhauling the online store, so that popular items like the Razzle Dazzle and Cookies and Cream dresses can now be purchased separately!
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Perhaps the most bold addition in the fall line is the Magic Pumpkin Costume. Including a smiling jack-o-lantern top, black leggings, orange and green felt hat with a brown stem and a trick-or-treat goodie bag, this piece has been the talk of the North Pole since it debuted on the runway last month! Boy and girl Elves alike can strut their stuff on special Halloween visits or while playing dress-up on their upcoming vacations. Charlotte, Santa's Chief Fashion Designer, says that the Magic Pumpkin Costume might just be her crowing achievement — powerful words considering of all her other great work!
As whimsical as the costume may be, the Forever Elf Fashions team also wanted to create a collection that focused on the Elves' comfort while they're away from the North Pole. The red Sweet Dreams Flannel Nightgown, which also comes with slippers, definitely makes for a cozy night's sleep, keeping an Elf warm on those cold winter nights away from home. Equally comfortable are the Peppermint Pajamas, a green flannel ensemble accented by candy cane-stripped pockets and cuffs, and the Full of Spice Nightshirt, both of which come with soft, green flannel slippers — you'll want to snuggle your Elf non-stop in their lovable nighttime wardrobe!
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Even Mrs. Claus got in on the action this year, designing the Get Well Soon Gown and the Cozy Claus Quilt and Pillow Set! Made of blue and white small check fabric, Get Well Soon was born out of Mrs. Claus' desire to give the Elves a piece of clothing to wear when they're not feeling well, or have perhaps had a traumatic run-in with the family pet. Of course, Elves don't have to be sick to wear it, as Jingle's friends have already found a way to eclectically work it into their daily wardrobes. For its part, Cozy Claus was literally made out of extra material that Mrs. Claus used when she made a quilt for Santa! This set will become an Elf's favorite place to nap — just before he or she heads out on another Elfcapade, of course.
And, what's a fashion update without a little North Pole style gossip?! In addition to the hugely popular Magic Pumpkin look, other in-demand costumes for this year's North Pole Halloween include: Toy Soldier, Nut Cracker, Angel, Reindeer, Christmas tree, Christmas package, and even a Santa and Mrs. Claus look!
Fresh Out of School, Architecture Students Produce the Innovative SnowCase™
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It's true that your home has always been considered an Elf's "home away from home," but a group of recent North Pole U architecture graduates decided to give that phrase new meaning. Years in the making, the SnowCase™ contains everything an Elf could need for a comfortable stay and safe return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. When it's opened, the SnowCase™ becomes a mobile playhouse that provides hours of imaginative fun, featuring a drawer for North Pole Snowflakes; a Claus-et with two hangers to house the Elf's Elf-its™; and a drop-down floor that exposes a window seat for an Elf to relax on while gazing at falling snow outside!
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Of course, the students wanted to be sure the traveling Elves had the right documents, so the SnowCase™ also includes: a luggage tag secured to the handle with a red and green polka dot ribbon; a North Pole Passport; Santa's Elf Express Travel Ticket/Boarding Pass; and a pouch filled with travel stickers for decorating the outside of the case, in addition to visa stickers for the Passport and Christmas stickers for decorating the inside of the "home away from home".
Your Elves simply may not want to come home once they make their inaugural trip in the stylish, comfortable SnowCase™!
New Book and DVD Set Illuminates the "Story of a Timeless Christmas Tradition"
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Every year, just before the Elves go their separate ways on "Christmas Break," Santa holds a North Pole-wide "family" dinner, which gives everyone one last evening of laughs and togetherness. After the always-great meal is through — Mrs. Claus is the chef, so you know it's tasty! — the Elves settle in around Santa as he reads from one of the oldest books on his shelf. "Elf Magic, The Story of a Timeless Christmas Tradition" is just that book, and St. Nick has this year decided to share it with his friends and family around the world!
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A hardcover, 51-page account of how Santa began the Elf Magic tradition, the
book features gorgeous watercolor illustrations that accompany its simple,
rhyming and enchanting prose. It's such a popular book at the North Pole that
it's almost always "on-loan" from Santa's library, as the Elves even love to
read to each other throughout the year to remind themselves how the timeless
tradition got started!
Since the book was planned to be a special keepsake item, Santa and Mrs.
Claus wanted to make its release unique, so they sent the North Pole's most
talented music-types into the studio at Polar Productions to record four
original songs, all of which are featured on the accompanying animated DVD! Your
whole family will be able to sing along, too, as the book's final pages are
devoted to the lyrics of the songs. Check-out the video for smash-hit "Getting
Things Ready" below!
Competition Comes Alive as Hockey and Snowboarding Dominate ESPM Airwaves
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With record snow falls blanketing the North Pole early this fall, residents are more excited than ever that hockey and snowboarding seasons are here. Whether they're competing, or simply gathering with friends to watch the events at O'Rudolph's on ESPM (Elf Pro Sports Magic), it seems that winter sports are on the tip of everyone's tongues!
Historically, the hockey season ends just before Thanksgiving, so the playoffs are just around the corner. And, out of the 10 teams that have battled all season long, it looks like the Penguins and the Huskies are the favorites! Everyone expected the Penguins to get this far, but the real story has been the Huskies, who placed last in the league in 2009, but have been dominating the rink in 2010. Everyone loves an under-dog, um, I mean Elf, so lines have been out the door at Glacier Sporting Goods, which is not only selling hockey jerseys, but also cheerleading and snowboarding outfits, too! If that's not enough, Camron Claus, Glacier's owner, says there's a good chance Santa will also carry these outfits on his favorite website in 2011. So, keep an eye out!
Halloween is More Frightful with Spooky Cupcakes
You've probably got your costume and have by now decorated your house with plenty of ghosts and goblins. But, do you have any special Halloween treats? We at the North Pole love cupcakes, so were delighted to see that Family Fun published 13 different spooky cupcake recipes just for Halloween! We've listed the recipe for our favorite below — Hairy Daddy Longlegs — but, don't be afraid to check-out the other 12 recipes here.
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Ingredients:
Chocolate cupcakes (for the body); Canned chocolate icing; Chocolate sprinkles (hair); 2 pieces of eye-type candy for each cupcake (Family Fun used Bassett's Liquorice Allsorts); Clean scissors; Ruler; and 1 package of black string lace licorice (legs)
Instructions:
- Frost the cupcake with chocolate icing and cover with sprinkles.
- Press the eyes into place.
- Use scissors to cut eight four-inch pieces of licorice for the legs. Holding all of the legs together in a bunch, bend them in half and crease. Push the end of each leg into the cupcake as shown.
Happy Halloween, friends!
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