Elf House

Hi, my name is Tinker!

Behind the blue door is my workshop. It has a drawing table, a bright lamp and more springs, screws and gears than anyone could ever count. I'm the elf who dreams up brand-new toys.

Every new toy starts as a drawing. I sketch it, measure it, and then I build a little model to make sure it really works. Last spring I invented a spinning top that hums "Jingle Bells." It took me forty-two tries, but I never gave up!

I always keep my hammer and a rolled-up plan in my tool belt, just in case a good idea pops into my head.

If you could invent any toy in the whole world, what would it be? Tell Santa in your letter. I might build it next!

Hi, my name is Jingle!

I got my name because I can't stand still. Every time I move, the bell on my hat goes jingle, jingle, jingle! That's how the other elves always know I'm coming.

Behind the red door is the toy room. I'm the head toymaker, so I make sure every rocking horse rocks, every teddy bear is extra huggable and every toy train goes choo-choo.

My favourite part of the job is testing the toys. Somebody has to make sure they're fun, and I take that job VERY seriously!

I'll see you on Christmas Eve. Listen for the jingle!

Hi, my name is Pip.

Behind the green door is my favourite place in the whole North Pole: the library. It has a crackling fire, a big red armchair and shelves of storybooks all the way up to the ceiling.

I'm the Keeper of the Storybooks. Every book Santa delivers comes through my room first. I check that no pages are missing, and I always read the ending to make sure it's a happy one.

I wear my round glasses so I can read the teeny-tiny words, and my scarf because I like to read by the window while it snows.

On cold nights, Santa sits in the big armchair and I read him a story until he starts to snore. Shhh, don't tell him I told you!

Hi, my name is Holly.

I'm a little bit shy, but never in the kitchen! Behind the purple door is where I bake cookies for the whole North Pole, including Santa's very favourite: gingerbread with extra icing.

Every morning I mix, roll and cut out hundreds of cookies shaped like stars, trees and snowmen. The reindeer can smell them baking from all the way across the village.

My secret ingredient is a pinch of cinnamon and a whole lot of love.

If you leave cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve, he tells me all about them when he gets home. I love learning new recipes!

Hi, my name is Sugarplum!

Behind the yellow door is the wrapping room, full of ribbons, bows and rolls and rolls of shiny paper. I'm the fastest gift wrapper at the North Pole. I can wrap a present in eleven seconds flat!

I also look after Santa's clipboard. Before any present gets its bow, I check the name on the tag against Santa's list. I check it once, and then I check it twice.

My pencil is never far from my hand, because the list changes every day when boys and girls do kind things.

Keep being kind, and maybe I'll be wrapping a present with your name on it this year!