| By Elf Magic | Thanksgiving Edition |
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Hello, dear friends! I hope this Turkey Day edition of St. Nick's News finds you well! As I stated in the Halloween edition, the North Pole is a-bluster with "Christmas Break" chatter perhaps more than any holiday season before. Indeed, Elves are randomly breaking out in the song "Believe in the Magic of Christmas," getting together after work to share Elfcapade(tm) ideas, and most importantly, packing their SnowCases!
That's right. In just a matter of days, many of the Elves will be boarding St. Nick's Express, along with several of the Reindeer, all with their travel tickets and passports in hand, ready for another unforgettable season full of laughs, mischief and togetherness. Moreover, this will be the first trip for many of my Elves - the new red-haired boy and girl Elves are particularly excited - so, start gathering play-date ideas now, because my little friends can't wait to spend every waking hour with you!
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Before leaving the North Pole, however, I asked the Elves to get together and reflect on the kind relationship between the Pilgrims and Indians of early America - the true reason for Thanksgiving. At a big gathering in the Claus home last week, all the Elves were given the opportunity to share what they are thankful for, and it proved to be one of the best events we've ever had. Many spoke of the blessing of having great friends and family (including your own!), while others shared about their jobs and their simple ability to put food on the table. Still others mentioned the birth of baby Jesus and the goodness he brought mankind for all eternity. It was truly a tear-jerking experience and one that Mrs. Claus and I will never forget!
As the Thanksgiving gathering came to a close, Jingle shot up from her seat and talked of how great it would be if our friends on Facebook would share what they're thankful for on our Page. All the Elves clamored with joy at this suggestion - as you know, they read nearly everything you write to us on Facebook - and I couldn't be more excited to read your notes, as well. So please, find us on Facebook and tell us what you're thankful for!
As always, please don't be upset if your Elf doesn't arrive exactly on Thanksgiving. Between their regular toy-making, fashion design and community service jobs, and all of the new projects we've taken on this year, our work days have only gotten longer, so a few of the Elves will be taking a later flight than their friends. But, their hard work should only make you that much more proud of them and their arrival that much more special!
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Now, on to some more big news. Mrs. Claus, in all of her infinite wisdom, recently came to me with a brilliant idea: Since the Elves have increasingly been using Facebook and Twitter to correspond with their host families, she proposed that we hold a contest during the Elves' "Christmas Vacation" to keep the conversation flowing while they're away! (She's so smart, isn't she?) Our Arts Critic Elf Vanessa has all the juicy details below!
You won't want to miss our other stories, either. From the SnowCase(tm) to the book and DVD set (and everything in between), Elf Zach has summarized the new projects I mentioned earlier (in case you missed the Halloween edition), and Elf Malone has contributed some great sports coverage on this year's exhilarating hockey playoffs.
The staff at St. Nick's News works hard to deliver the latest-and-greatest from the North Pole, so we hope you'll read the whole edition! It's the best way to be prepared for your Elf's visit ... which, is just around the corner.
As always, we are "Thankful" 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 (and what you're thankful for!) 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!
Mrs. Claus Announces First Annual Elf Magic Photo Contest and Prizes
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"Christmas vacation" just got more exciting. Every year, we receive countless photos, videos and testimonials from families who've documented their Elves' wild adventures or the simple, sweet moments families spend with them. As Santa has always said, each Elf has a unique personality, so these images and stories have reflected everything from high-flying, late-night acrobatics to low-key, endearing occasions spent watching a movie or reading a book with the family. Regardless, our hearts are always warmed by the reflections of these families and the time they spend sending these memories our way.
Indeed, during the Christmas season, Mrs. Claus is always refreshing Santa's inbox, anxiously awaiting a new photo or story submitted on Santa's favorite website! So, this year, she decided to turn this special process into a contest.
From Thanksgiving Day, November 25th, to December 27th, we're asking that you submit your best Elf Magic photos right here on our website! You can submit up to three pictures and they can have anything to do with the tradition. From Elfcapades(tm), play-dates, family vacations, community service projects, school outings or Elf Magic-themed parties, there is no limit to when a great photo opportunity might present itself, so we want to see it all! (Along with your photo, please include a description of the event, including its location and the name of your Elf. Also, you must be 18 and have parental permission to enter a picture!)
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From there, a special committee made up of Jingle and Jangle, in addition to the Claus' and a few select Reindeer, will go through your entries and post their favorite images in a specially-marked Facebook album on January 4th. The photo that receives the most "Likes" by January 12th will win the Grand Prize: A Giant Elf of the winner's choice!
Additionally, one Runner-Up will win a SnowCase(tm) and Book & DVD Set, and a Second Runner-Up will receive an Elf of his or her choice sent to them by Santa, in addition to an Elfit(tm) from the new 2011 Forever Elf Collection! As you can see, the stakes are high, so get creative! We can't wait to set our eyes on evidence of the Elves' adventurous Elfcapades in your homes.
Santa Delivers on Promise to Host North Pole's Most Productive Year Yet
Every year brings about exciting new announcements from Santa. Last year, of course, we were introduced to the black-haired boy and girl Elves, the Elf Magic Memories Keepsake Journal (perfect for all of you scrapbookers!) and the release of four original songs on the North Pole's hottest label, Polar Productions. As always, the response from you was overwhelming, which inspired the Elves to achieve even greater things in 2010!
As we announced in the Halloween edition, everyone, from the North Pole's writers, illustrators, fashion designers and more, pitched in to meet Santa's goal of making this year the most productive yet. Here's a quick summary of this year's accomplishments:
The Award-Winning SnowCase(tm)
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Already becoming one of Elf Magic's most popular items, the SnowCase - an Elf's "home away from home" - 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 Elfits; and a drop-down floor that exposes a window seat for an Elf to relax on while gazing at falling snow outside!
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(tm)/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."
Families and Elves alike expressed so much excitement over the SnowCase that Santa recently entered it in several high-profile design contests - a couple of which the Elf Magic architecture students won! These include awards from Dr. Toy ("Best Children's Pick") and Tillywig ("Sterling Fun").
In related news, Creative Child Magazine awarded the creative Elf Magic Elves with "Toy of the Year" honors and the Dove Foundation stamped the new book and DVD set with their "Seal of Approval!"
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New Designs from Forever Elf Fashions(tm)
From the latest, chic cut of the Snowflake Princess Dress to the flurry of new nighttime Elfits and accessories, the Elves now have everything they need to stay warm, comfy and stylish on those cold winter nights! These new designs include the red Sweet Dreams Flannel Nightgown, Peppermint Pajamas, Full of Spice Nightshirt and Cozy Claus Quilt and Pillow Set, designed and crafted by Mrs. Claus herself.
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Mrs. Claus also designed the adorable new Get Well Soon gown, an Elfit meant to help the Elves feel better should they come down with the sniffles or have an unfortunate run-in with the family pet. As always, Mrs. Claus knows best!
Of course, Chief Designer Elf Charlotte and her team didn't stop there. They also overhauled Santa's online store so that popular items like the Razzle Dazzle, Cookies and Cream and Cherries Jubilee dresses can now be purchased separately on an Elf hanger and in a garment bag. These are just a few of the updates to the Forever Elf Fashions line - visit Santa's favorite website for more.
Elf Magic: The Story of a Timeless Christmas Tradition
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A hardcover, 51-page account of how Santa began the Elf Magic tradition, this book features gorgeous watercolor illustrations that accompany its simple, rhyming and enchanting prose. Such a popular title at the North Pole, it's almost always "on-loan" from Santa's library, as the Elves love to read to each other throughout the year to remind themselves how the timeless tradition got started. No wonder it was recently given the esteemed Dove Foundation's seal of approval!
Along with the book, the accompanying DVD includes four sing-along animated songs, as well as an animated depiction of the story. Your whole family will be able to sing along to these catchy tunes all season long, as the book's final pages are devoted to the lyrics of the songs, as well!
As you can see, Elves and families now have just about everything they need to make this tradition truly "Timeless."
Hockey Season Ends in Riveting Fashion
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As if the Elves' impending vacations weren't causing enough excitement at the North Pole, this year's hockey playoffs provided the area with one of the most electrifying match-ups in recent memory. The finals, which pitted the come-from-behind Polar Bears against the always great Huskies, came down to a final penalty shot taken with no time left on the clock!
The match was close for all three periods, both teams having prepared for weeks to take home the Blitzen Cup. The Polar Bears, who placed last in 2009, scored twice quickly in the first, but the match was tied by the close of the game, as the Huskies got on the board once in the second and once in the third. But, with time winding down, the referee caught Elf Drew, the Polar Bear's right wing, playing with a hand-held device while skating across the rink. He was cited for unsafe conduct, which gave the Huskies one final shot at the Cup.
Initially not sure who to let take the shot, the Huskies' coach eventually decided on Elf Joshua, the team goalie. He was the only player on the team who hadn't had a chance to score during the regular season and everyone on the team agreed he was the right Elf for the job. So, with slight hesitation, Joshua stepped up to the penalty line with the puck tucked against his stick. Skating faster and faster, he approached the goal, reared back and ... Scored! In an instant, Elf Joshua became a hero to everyone in attendance. The good sports that they are, even the Polar Bears joined the Huskies in lifting him to their shoulders, congratulating each other on a game well-played.
As for Elf Drew, after the match I caught up with him in the Polar Bear's locker room where he had this to say about his untimely penalty, "I knew I wasn't supposed to text and drive a sleigh, of course, but I didn't know I couldn't text and skate!"
At that, his teammates chuckled and shook their heads, as their coach ended the interview with a simple, "Oh, brother."
Here are the final standings for the 2010 season:
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Huskies
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Polar Bears
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Penguins
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Avalanches
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Reindeer
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Snow Men
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Timberwolves
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Icicles
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Killer Whales
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Caribou
See You Soon, Friends!
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