Record Points on April 1

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The new points system will be engaged on Saturday, April 2nd. That means you will want to record your points on Friday, April 1st.

The new system will begin accumulating points on Saturday morning. There will be a few “bonuses” that Saturday and Sunday just for logging in. There are a couple of reasons for this.

We’re setting up two new point types, as we explained in our Elf Chat this weekend.

In order to populate the point schedules we need as many elves to log in as possible next Saturday and Sunday. To spur that into happening we will be offering some one-time point opportunities that will never happen again.

While logging in will get you some extra points it will also introduce you to a number of new features related to points. Everything changes.

Given how early in the year it is we will have plenty of time to learn it all.

I will attempt to have ready for you an explanation of all changes on Saturday. There will be all new graphics for our badges. Some badges will be going away. There will be some new ones. These changes are being made to accommodate the new point types and the opportunities they represent.

It will be fun!

Elf Reviews and Ratings Added

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Elf Reviews and Ratings have been added as a new feature that will lead to points, badges and ranks for every elf.

You can read about them in Elf University at this link. They look like this in your profile:

Elf Reviews and Ratings

As an example, I have left a rating and review for Elf Sandy Claus. If you go to her profile you will see a new “reviews” tab added to the navigation bar. It leads to a page that shows what I have written in her review.

This feature will be used a great deal by your Elf Supervisor.

Your Elf Supervisor will review your tracking reports every quarter. Some quarters of the year, particularly the first and second quarters, are low activity times and they may not have anything to review you on. But most definitely they will review and award points, ranks and badges based upon their experience with you in following direction and getting information in to North Pole Flight Command.

You can also leave ratings and reviews for your fellow elves.

In fact, we encourage you to do so. If you see an elf doing a good job, helping new elves along, adding to the community through their jobs as podcasters, news writers or other functions the ratings and reviews feature is a great way to do that.

Also, giving ratings and reviews is a good way for you to generate points for both yourself and the elf you are reviewing.

But beware: leaving inappropriate reviews, incomplete reviews, spurious reviews, false reviews, and overly negative reviews could result in point deductions, badge retraction and rank lowering. Your Elf Supervisor factors your reviews of other elves in their review of you each quarter.

So think before you rate and review.

Changes to Points and Ranks Coming

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Today in Elf Chat major changes to points and ranks were announced by Elf Max. The chat recap is below.

The changes to the program are driven by Santa, who wants points and ranks to focus more on our mission of tracking Santa for Santa. Here are some highlights Elf Max announced:

  1. Elf ranks will stay the same as they are now. However, points assigned based on activities everyone does on the website will be redefined
  2. Two new kinds of points were announced. Tracker Skill points and Santa Skill points.
  3. Tracker Skill points focus on your elf activities tracking Santa. There will be points, ranks and badges for your tracking skills. Since the information we all send to Flight Command comes from reports the big focus in this area will be on the reports we send. Lots of new kinds of reports coming too.
  4. Santa Skill points are a little more mysterious. These are points that will be given to you by Santa himself. These are recognition for special efforts and contributions that go above and beyond. There will be points, ranks and badges for this category, too.
  5. A new feature called Gift was announced that will allow an elf to give some of his or her points to another elf.
  6. A new feature that Max calls “coupons” will give points for participating in special or one-time events.

Max explained that this change to the program will likely take him a month of working in phases to roll out. Elves will need to be paying attention during this time frame if they are concerned about losing the points they already have gained.

Here is the chat recap:

Elf Roger StarHello everyone and welcome to today’s chat.
Elf Roger StarWe have had a lot of changes this year and today we are going to introduce a big one
Elf Roger StarIt is complicated and it is a MAJOR change
Elf Roger StarIt has to do with Elf points, ranks and badges
Elf Roger StarThis is part of the effort to help focus what we do as elves on Santa’s mission
Elf Roger StarHere to explain it all is Elf Max, who is setting up the new program
Elf Roger StarJust for the ease of our chat today, please understand that Elf Max and I will talk for an extended time, then we will open things up for your questions.
Elf Roger StarI ask that you please just write your questions down and then hang on to them until Max and I complete our discussion of this, okay?
Elf Roger StarMax, can you tell us what this change this new program does?
Elf CrusaderYessir
Elf MaxHi. Yes. The new system will help us focus efforts on our mission better
Elf MaxRight now, our points system is what they call “vertical”.
Elf MaxYou get points for just doing stuff on the website.
Elf MaxThings like logging in, posting on the Elf Wall, liking things, etc. get you points
Elf MaxAs you gain points you move up in the ranks
Elf MaxAs you move up you get badges for certain kinds of achievements
Elf MaxThis system has served us well
Elf MaxBut Santa now feels it is time to improve it by focusing our activity on the more on our jobs as trackers
Elf Roger StarOk, how do we do that?
Elf MaxWe do that by splitting our points achievements into different types. Going forward, we will get points just as we have in the past by being active on the website. But now we have two NEW ways to get points that we didn’t before. We will have points for Tracker Skills and points for Santa Skills.
Elf Roger StarOooooh that sounds interesting. What are Tracker Skills?
Elf MaxTracker Skills are the things we do to help Santa track Santa.
Elf MaxOur key role as a tracker is to send information to North Pole Flight Command, right?
Elf MaxGoing forward, you will get points for every time that you do that.
Elf MaxFor example, if you go to the updated Tracker Reports page you will see several new report types. Each report carries a point value. Every time you send in a report, you get a certain amount of points. So, obviously, the more you send in reports the more you will move up in your total points.
Elf Roger StarOkay, that makes sense. But is it all about just sending in more reports? Won’t that make it so that trackers can just inflate their points by just randomly sending in reports?
Elf MaxNo. Just because you send in a report will mean that you get points for it. You can send it reports all day long but if they don’t make sense they don’t count. You have to really know how reports work in order to get the points for them.
Elf Roger StarWhat does that mean?
Elf MaxWhen you send in a report it goes first to the office of your Elf Supervisor. The staff in that office opens your report and grades it on several things. Did the Elf Supervisor ask for the report?
Elf MaxIs the report pertinent to what Santa’s needs are right now?
Elf MaxIs the report complete?
Elf MaxIs it useful?
Elf MaxIn all, there are 22 criteria each report must meet before points are awarded for it. If you meet all the criteria you get all the points. If you meet just some of it, you only get partial points.
Elf Roger StarWow.
Elf MaxIf it is what they call a “lazy report” where only a few of the criteria is met, you likely wouldn’t get any points.
Elf MaxSo your work in tracking Santa for Santa will really be getting a lot of attention on quality. You have to be really paying attention to move up in Tracker Skill ranks.
Elf Roger StarSo there’s new ranks, too?
Elf MaxThere are new ranks specifically for Tracker Skills. Your tracker skills will then convert over to your overall points and push you up in your elf rank overall.
Elf Roger StarSo this really focuses things in a whole new way.
Elf MaxYes, one of Santa’s biggest goals is to make us better tracker elves. So we are going to be laser focused on those reports and listening to what Elf Supervisors are requesting.
Elf Roger StarSo will these new Tracker Skills ranks be added to the Top Elves page?
Elf MaxYes, you will be able to see your ranks in Tracker Skills displayed in line with your overall Elf rank.
Elf Roger StarOk, so points on one side like its always been for site activity and points on another for tracking Santa stuff. That seems to make sense.
Elf MaxYes, but there is yet another point type to talk about. We call them Santa points.
Elf Roger StarOoooh. What’s that?
Elf MaxWell, Santa wanted a way to award elves he sees making special efforts and contributions.
Elf Roger StarWhat kind of efforts or contributions?
Elf MaxWell, that’s up to Santa. He doesn’t want to be too specific with the category because he wants elves to act on their own initiative.
Elf Roger StarWhat does that mean?
Elf MaxWell, he gave me an example. Elf Lil Cream was the first of our community to set up her own podcast. Santa says that was “above and beyond”.
Elf MaxSanta says that shows creativity, enthusiasm, Christmas spirit, initiative and a real desire to do good. He wants to recognize elves who things like that.
Elf MaxPoints for this will be awarded by Santa. So to will the ranks and the badges in this category. You won’t be able to just go and do something on the site to get these points.
Elf MaxYou’ve got to get Santa’s attention.
Elf Roger StarWow, these are some really gold standard points.
Elf MaxYes, and Santa tells me he will be very generous.
Elf Roger StarOk, so points and ranks for Elf stuff, points and ranks for Tracker stuff, and points and ranks for Santa stuff.
Elf MaxThat’s it in a nutshell. But there’s more.
Elf Roger StarMore points?
Elf MaxWell, kinda.
Elf Roger StarWhat do you mean?
Elf MaxWe will be introducing new features that could lead to new points. There are two of them.
Elf MaxThe first is called Gift. Elves will soon be able to give points to other elves for whatever reason.
Elf Roger StarWhy would any elf want to give away their points? Won’t that cost them?
Elf MaxIt might. But Santa wants this capability because he wants elves to help other elves.
Elf MaxSanta explained that the spirit of giving is “learned when it is earned”, meaning that the more we give the more we receive.
Elf MaxSanta says that sacrifice is an important part of giving. That when we give up things to others at the expense of ourselves we learn the real gift is given to us. He calls it the essence of Christmas.
Elf Roger StarThat sounds complicated. Do you think Santa will offer us some sort of explanation himself?
Elf MaxYes, I talked about this with him and Elf Ernest at the same time.
Elf MaxAnd Ernest pretty much asked the same thing you just did. He was really concerned about elves understanding it.
Elf Roger StarOh, okay. If Ernest is on the job then we’re going to see a lot about this topic.
Elf MaxYes. The purposes for our discussion here is to just introduce the feature
Elf Roger StarOk, so gifting points will be a thing. If an elf needs some points to get to a new level it will be possible for another elf to help him or her out, right?
Elf MaxYes, that’s a good example. But you could give points for any reason you want.
Elf Roger StarOk. Interesting.
Elf MaxWe have another new feature that for right now I’m calling coupons.
Elf Roger StarOk. What is that?
Elf MaxIt will be random point opportunities that will be made available by redeeming a coupon. We will have special point opportunities that may be different than the norm and to get those points you have to do whatever the activity is and then “redeem” the coupon.
Elf Roger StarCan you give an example?
Elf MaxSure, let’s take a look at Toyvember, for example. We have had a few elves participate in that. If we had coupons set up we could have said “turn in your drawing when you redeem this coupon using the code Toyvember”. Then the elf would have received points for that.
Elf Roger StarOkay, so one time events? Like participation points
Elf MaxYes, I think in most cases. But Santa says he wants to get creative with this, so expect different things.
Elf Roger StarOk, so when does all this stuff begin?
Elf MaxWell, Santa gave me until Christmas in July to get this going. But this is big. I have to do it in stages.
Elf Roger StarOk – so what can we expect?
Elf MaxWell this is a total rebuild of the system. Part of doing this will be wiping out all the points and ranks and badges as we have them right now.
Elf Roger StarHoly smokes. Everyone loses their ranks?
Elf MaxOnly temporarily. I will be sending out updates on this for each phase of the changeover. Things might look a little weird for short periods of time. And that might feel painful.
Elf Roger StarOkay. I think we can be patient to get all this new stuff.
Elf MaxI hope so. I will be sending out in advance warnings when certain things will happen. I will be folding over old points into the new system but there will be a brief period where everyone will be unranked and have zero points. I don’t want any panic when that happens.
Elf Roger StarSo their points will still be there?
Elf MaxYes, but the entire system is being rebuilt. I don’t know yet if the new system will have the same point value as the old ranks did. That’s because we have so many new ways to be getting points.
Elf Roger StarMeaning what? That 100 points won’t be worth 100 points any more?
Elf MaxKind of. Right now, to get Altair ranked as an elf you need 5000 points. There might be a new level, say 10,000 points, to get that rank going forward. If that happens we need to make adjustments to the points for value.
Elf MaxThe idea here is that we don’t just throw away the past five years of point accomplishments. We need to have a way to keep the levels we have while adopting the new system we want.
Elf Roger StarSounds complicated.
Elf MaxIt is. But we want everyone to pay attention. There will come a day, probably soon, where I will say “write down your points”.
Elf MaxI am backing up the current system. I will be keeping a record of what points everyone has. I will know what their old points were. I want THEM to know how many points they had though.
Elf Roger StarSo elves would be wise to be paying attention then.
Elf MaxYes, that’s my number one worry. Those who aren’t paying attention are not going to understand. We have a ton of elves who are not here and may never see this unfolding. I can’t do anything about them. But those elves who are here I want them to know what’s happening.
Elf Roger StarSounds good. Will all this be explained in Elf University for new elves?
Elf MaxYou know what? I thought to do that too so I wrote all this stuff and then Santa told me NOT to include it.
Elf Roger StarHe did? Why?
Elf MaxBecause he doesn’t want elves chasing points. Santa says that if we put out something that shows exactly where every point comes from then we’ll have elves trying to game the system by doing only those things that give them big points.
Elf Roger StarOh, yes. I’ve seen it. Does that mean the Elf History will go away in their profiles?
Elf MaxNo, Santa thinks it is important to be transparent about points earned, he just doesn’t want to emphasize points for the sake of points. He wants elves to do the right things.
Elf MaxIf an elf does the right things the points will come.
Elf MaxBut Santa is more concerned with meeting the mission and developing stronger elves.
Elf Roger StarOk, got it. Thanks Max. Ok guys, now is the time to ask whatever questions you might have. There will be a recap of this chat posted and I’m sure a lot of other stuff to explain these big changes as we go along.
Elf Roger StarI know this is a lot to take in
Elf Roger StarAnd Max…what a huge job for you!
Elf MaxYeah…this is big
Elf Crash MurphyOk, this might be a dumb question
Elf Roger StarFire away, Crash
Elf CrusaderMax, why does Santa want me to do another podcast with Crash?
Elf Crash MurphyWell I noticed that points for Max and for me and all the senior elves were reinstated
Elf Crash MurphyWon’t we end up dominating the Top Elves charts eventually just because of our jobs?
Elf MaxCrusader – to answer your question, we need your help getting elves to understand these changes
Elf MaxCrash, yes, that’s one of MANY adjustments we need to make. My points in particular have shot up like mad. That’s not fair. I’m on the site constantly, posting stuff, changing things
Elf MaxWe need to separate admin things and make sure guys like me don’t get a zillion points. It’s skews things
elf radarThis new points systems sounds good. You guys did a really good job explaining it.
Elf Crash MurphyOk, good. I think the Elf Community should be about elves tracking Santa for Santa
Elf Roger StarThank you Elf Radar
Elf Crash MurphyDang, Max. You explained that in 20 minutes
Elf Roger StarMax, what’s your timeline on this?
Elf MaxIt’s going to take a lot of time in April to get this ready. I’m thinking right now that around middle of April I will send out a warning to everyone to record their points.
Elf MaxThen around the last week of April, we will wipe everything, install the new points to backdate what we can, then see where the rankings are and start a period of adjustments
Elf MaxI’m not promising anything but I’m hoping by May 1 the new system is up and everyone feels good about it.
Elf Roger StarOk.
Elf Crash MurphyElves coming back in the fall are in for quite a shock
Elf MaxYeah…I’m aware. Not much we can do about it. I’m just glad all the people here today are here
Elf Roger StarSanta really wants this and other changes behind us before Christmas in July.
Elf Roger StarChristmas in July this year begins a new era in tracking Santa for Santa
Elf Roger StarOk, any other questions?
elf radarHopefully we will be familiar enough with it to help answer questions by the time we get busy in fall
Elf MaxI want to thank everyone for coming. I know this wasn’t a FUN chat but we needed to get this out there
Elf Crash MurphyWell, I had fun. Got through two bowls of ice cream during this.

 

Home and Family Report Added

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An all-new report has been added called the Home and Family Report. It is under the Personal Elf Reports section of the Tracker Reports page.

Santa himself requested this report. He said that some of the most urgent and distressing messages he receives each year comes from elves. He wanted to provide a way where special needs and conditions could be communicated before he gets to your neighborhood.

We are a little worried that this report may be sent too frequently or at inappropriate times. We want to remind you that this is one of those reports that are not sent until your Elf Supervisor calls for it. Some elves, in their anxiety to address concerns, can send a report repeatedly. We want to avoid that.

The Tracker Reports are becoming a bigger part of our jobs as trackers. Paying attention, filling out reports accurately and sending them at the right time matters. Some of this will be explain in the Elf Chats scheduled for later today and tomorrow. More training on this concern is coming during Christmas in July.

You will want to be paying attention.

Elf Supervisors to Hold Conference

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Elf Supervisors will be heading for a special conference called by Santa. The event will be held the week of April 18th in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

I’m told that Santa himself called for this conference and will be facilitating it with Elf Roger Star.

Given all the changes we have seen on this website plus others that are rumored to still be coming out of the Tracker Elf program this week-long event is no surprise.

Elves at the North Pole today were a bit surprised to hear of this event if only because to some it signals that an end to Toyvember is coming. Santa has not made an announcement in that regard but if that’s true then this Toyvember will fall short of a record in the length of time a Toyvember has been held.

For whatever reason, some elves are focusing on that milestone and are thinking that just because the Elf Supervisors are conferencing means that Toyvember will end.

I asked Santa that this morning after he was heading out of a meeting and he merely shook his head.

Two things make this Elf Supervisor event interesting: the length of time it will take (most conferences are two or three days) and the location of Costa Rica. Why there?

I talked to Elf Winslow about it (he’s an assistant now to Elf Ernest) and he told me Santa really likes to surf and that the beaches there are great.

I’ll try to confirm that.

Elf Roger did spend some time with me to explain the reasons behind this event. He said the changes to the tracker program will impact the Elf Supervisors even more than it will tracker elves.

Elfie Selfie Report Added

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The Elfie Selfie has been added to the Tracker Reports roster. Elf Max has started the revisions planned to the Tracker Reports page by making them all mobile friendly and by starting to add new reports.

The Elfie Selfie report will never be a required report because it’s not critical to Santa’s mission. But we added it for those elves who want to participate in contests and activities where the Elfie Selfie might be a part of it.

Elfie Selfie

The report is part of a new section on the Tracker Reports page called Personal Elf Reports. These are reports will be all new and, as of right now, we have six reports that will eventually populate this menu. Expect more announcements in the day ahead.

We have other new reports coming for the other categories on that page.

Why so many tracker reports?

As you will hear in the months ahead we will be shining a spotlight on tracker elf reports all year long and into the Santa tracking season.

You will want to pay attention to these new reports, become familiar with them and be ready to send them in when your elf supervisor calls for them.

Our mission-centric focus means doing more of these reports. More reports means more and better information for Santa.

More reports also means more points for you.

These reports are why we are here.

Even elves at the North Pole working other departments will receive training in these reports. You see, even me and others doing jobs like I do, become Santa trackers on December 23rd and 24th. We all use these reports.

So pay attention as Max gets these new reports up. It does not make any sense to send in these reports now. But you will want to familiarize yourself with them before the season hits, so you can properly track Santa for Santa.

Christmas in July Events Added

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Christmas in July events are beginning to populate the Elf Calendar.

Yesterday, North Pole Flight Command announced July 11th the day for the annual Tracker Press Conference. Traditionally this is when the year’s elf recruiting goal is announced.

Also as part of Christmas in July, the first of several promised events is now on the calendar:

Elfie Selfie

Christmas in July is a huge event at the North Pole with more plans soon to be announced both here and at SantaUpdate.com.

~ Events this Week ~

And don’t forget – this weekend in Elf Chat – Elf Max will be discussing a new points system at SantaTrackers.net that will soon be making it’s debut. There are actually TWO times scheduled for this chat. Saturday at 7pm EDT and Sunday at 5pm EDT.

Ten Possible Locations for Sector 4 Tracking Center

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I have heard back from the Locating Committee at Flight Command on our ten finalist locations for this year’s regional tracking center here in Sector 4. Last year’s location was in Natal, Brazil.

Here are the finalists:

  1. Milagro, Ecuador
  2. Kuummit, Greenland
  3. Somerset Village, Bermuda
  4. Saint Martins, Barbados
  5. Mary, Grenada
  6. Sucre, Bolivia
  7. Los Angeles, Chile
  8. Santa Fe, Argentina
  9. Grytviken, South Sandwich Islands
  10. Punta Arenas, Chile

As other sectors have been told, we might learn the final decision on this year’s location during Christmas in July. Stay tuned.

The Old #1

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Earlier this week Elf Roger Star shared a brief story in Santa’s Council. He told of visiting Santa in his home workshop and there getting into serious conversation. He said:

Mrs. Claus came out to bring us a few treats. She saw the serious look on our faces and not even knowing what we were talking about she said, “You boys need to lighten up.” I got to thinking about that last night and it occurs to me that we’ve forgotten something when it comes to our community standards. We need rule #1 to be “Have fun”.

The story drew many positive comments and Elf Max quickly amended the new Community Standards to reflect this rule.

But it is not a new rule.

I remember years ago, when I was just a kid in elf school, being told this rule. They called it the “old #1” – meaning this has been an axiom Santa has used for ever and ever and ever.

And that’s the thing about Santa.

You know how in some groups there is always that guy who is cheerful and smiling and messing around, even when there is heavy lifting or dirty work to do?

Santa is that guy.

He’s always whistling. He’s always telling a little joke. He’s always egging someone on to do something silly. There is a light energy to Santa, even when there is heavy responsibility in a task.

I think what Roger is saying is that given all the serious things we have been dealing with the past few years, and I think especially the past few months, we don’t want to forget to have fun.

Last year, as you may have heard, was a real trial for me. I was one of those who got really sick during the pandemic. You know, hospital kind of sick.

I’m okay now. But there was a lot I got out of that experience besides just getting really ill. I was bored much of them time. Healing for me was very slow. And I missed a lot of work. That is to say, I missed a lot of fun.

I missed the fun work working with others. I missed the fun of sharing ideas. I missed the fun of accomplishing good things together.

Well, now that I’m back I’m really appreciating the fun I’m having.

We have been working hard. I’ve been on the Elf University project. There’s been work on the Santa Tracker Herald Star. There’s a newsletter project at SantaUpdate.com you’ll soon hear about that has taken up a huge part of my work time. I have been writing and editing like crazy.

But working hard is just what we do.

Work does not have to something absent of fun. In fact, Santa insists that we have fun. It’s our #1 rule. We’re elves! It’s Christmas! It’s supposed to be fun, dummy.

I’m having the time of my life right now. Last year, when I couldn’t work and there was no fun to be found, I was miserable.

I don’t ever want to go through that again.

I commend Elf Max on the good work he’s doing here on the website. I commend Elf Roger and Santa for leading us into new things that are sure to make life as a tracker elf both more work and more fun. Things are looking good.

Having fun is a reminder that the work we do does not need to always be so serious. The serious side of things comes from somewhere happy. Santa wants to improve things so that we can accomplish more. That not only means we get more done.

It means we take greater pride in what we do.

It means we make more people happy.

It means we have more fun.

It means we keep and honor the Old #1.

Elf PIN Can Now Be Set

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An Elf Personal Identification Number can now be set for every account at SantaTrackers.net.

The Elf PIN is designed as a safety and security feature. Using an Elf PIN will be an added means of us knowing a submission actually comes from you. It will be added to job applications, tracker reports and other submission forms soon.

Fraud in the elf world is rare. But this added feature will ensure the North Pole gets the information that you intend. Going forward, new accounts, both for Freelance Elves and for North Pole Elves, will register with an Elf PIN.

Please set your Elf PIN. You can change your Elf Pin at any time.

For existing accounts, please see this page or fill out the form below.

Thank you and have a nice day.

[caldera_form id=”CF6235b64ce1d47″]

Changes in the Elf World

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Santa Trackers Podcast
Santa Tracker Podcast
Changes in the Elf World
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Changes in the Elf World are afoot due to a report submitted to Santa by Elf Roger Star.

The report showed that very few of the 200 million registered elves the program has gathered in the past five years are actually sending in tracker reports to help track Santa for Santa. The topic has been a big part of the conversation between Santa and Elf Roger and it has already led to many changes. The website changeover is indicative of the changes yet to be announced and rumors in North Pole media have started to make some elves nervous.

In this episode Elf Frank Myrrh grills Elf Crash Murphy about what he knows and what he can say about the changes to come. Elf Crash explains that after 5 years Santa remains committed to the program but that changes are inevitable.

Take a listen to this episode at the all-new podcast page.

Leprechauns Are Not Elves

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Tis the week of St. Patty’s Day and a lot of people like that.

I don’t.

There are many who seem to think that leprechauns are elves.

They aren’t.

They are Irish. For whatever reason they tend to be male (most have beards). And leprechauns wear a lot of green.

Leprechaun

Leprechauns are famous for being mischievous. That’s a nice way of saying they are punks. Evidently the life of a leprechaun involves making shoes and hiding coins in hidden pots of gold at the end of rainbows.

How in the world does that make them elves?

It doesn’t. But more on that in a minute.

The true appeal to leprechauns is the belief that they can grant wishes. That’s why one of the big traditions of St. Patrick’s Day is to try and capture a leprechaun.

I don’t know why people believe in this stuff.

I mean, if leprechauns can really grant wishes don’t you think they’d wish for something other than green to wear?

When was the last time green was a decent color for any kind of clothing? Green shirts? Okay – within reason. Green pants? Uh, no. Green socks? Uh-huh. Green underwear? Are you out of your mind? If a leprechaun cannot grant himself a reasonable wish about something as simple as clothes, what’s he really going to do for you?

Now let’s get back to this elf business and leprechauns supposedly being elves.

We see it every year. St. Patrick’s Day comes around and everything Irish is in fashion. I don’t think that makes a lot of sense but good for the Irish, I guess. I’ll keep my heritage, thank you, and wish the Irish well.

But already the mail is coming in to the North Pole Post Office this week and the question is almost universal: Are elves leprechauns?

No.

I’ll say it again – no.

In fact, Santa does not even celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Why?

Well, he’s not Irish.

He loves Ireland. Has a lot of fans there. The culture there is friendly, the people very nice and it is a pretty place indeed.

In fact, Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle – emerald, as in a color, not a gem. Emerald is a beautiful green color. Hence, everything green on St. Patrick’s Day. Who was St. Patrick? He was the patron saint of Ireland. During his lifetime he did a great deal to convert the people of Ireland. March 17th became his feast day.

Again, Santa finds all that very interesting.

But he won’t be dressing in green, drinking dubious liquids or eating a lot of cabbage on the 17th. He wishes the Irish well, just as he wishes well the citizens of any country or region who celebrates their heritage. But Santa is not Irish and will never be Irish.

Certainly there are some elves from Ireland. They are free to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. But they are not free to call themselves both an elf and a leprechaun. You are free to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, too. But you are not free to call yourself an elf and a leprechaun at the same time either. They are not the same thing.

They are not connected in any way.

An elf, you see, is something that these days squarely belongs to Santa and the North Pole.

Leprechauns cannot ever be tied to Santa, the North Pole or anything other than Ireland.

Leprechauns are creatures of Irish folklore. That means they are not really known for anything other than being known for nothing.

No one has actually seen a leprechaun. Ever.

Many dress up like leprechauns. But no one has seen one or caught one, for that matter. And that’s a thing of St. Patrick’s Day – to catch a leprechaun. Maybe that’s why we get so many questions about them. Maybe there are elves out there concerned about being kidnapped. Maybe they fear being confused for a leprechaun.

But no elf should ever have this worry. Leprechauns have never been caught.

Have you ever noticed that? They are allegedly “magical” if you catch one. But catching one has never been done.

Elves, of course, are completely different from leprechauns.

Elves work to serve others, not elude them. Elves can be caught, and have been caught, many times. Elves alone will tell you they do not employ any magic in what they do. In fact, they serve Santa who very clearly works hard in doing all that he does.

It’s all visible.

It’s all out there.

It’s all real.

Leprechauns are just the opposite. They disappear on March 18th. And no one thinks about them again until the week of St. Paddy’s the next year.

Why?

Because little green men belong to Mars. Not earth. They claim everything and actually do nothing. That’s definitely very un-elf-like.

Be glad you’re an elf.

People will want to be like you. Nobody really wants to be green and disappear every March 18th.