What happens next is perhaps the most important work of the year at the North Pole.

Here, over at NorthPoleFlightCommand.com, at ElfHQ.com, and at SantaUpdate.com, the new year brings a process that Santa calls the “season of imagination”.

Some elves don’t like it. They take the talk of performance reviews and goal setting as some kind of critique.

And it is an honest look at the season we just went through and the year that led up to it. But nobody gets in trouble or fired over what transpired. Santa has, after all, an all volunteer workforce.

He’s never angry, upset or mad at anything.

He just wants things to get better.

So, just to keep you posted, you need to understand that the next several weeks is a time of silence. It is when we reflect and put our best ideas on paper. There is some talk behind the scenes but really the real talk does not yet begin for a few more weeks. Santa wants us to think about it.

As for you – those of you still paying attention – I want you to talk. To spill your guts, so to speak. We want to hear your ideas and your elf ambitions.

Please remember than this year was better than last year. And last year was better than the year before. We have always gone forward, looking to improve on past efforts. Things will be no different this year. Well, at least in terms of trying to improve.

Things WILL be different next year, however.

We must remember that the North Pole’s Tracker Elf program is still very young. It’s new compared to things like flying reindeer, Santa’s workshop and North Pole Flight Command, which were all new things once upon a time.

Some of our plans from this time last January did not pan out. Why? Well, some things and some elves just had issues we didn’t anticipate. That doesn’t mean we did not have good ideas or that we give up on the ideas that didn’t work out.

But every year at this time is a period of wiping the slate clean and coming up with a new and improved plan.

Your part in it – and your future in it – comes from speaking your mind.

You are elves. You are important. You need to voice what is on your mind and what your concerns might be.

Elf Max has already asked for feedback and many of you have been quite candid, both publicly and privately. That’s good. It’s helpful.

What we might tell you by the end of January about the year ahead actually begins with what you have already told us.

Don’t stop talking.

This place can be pretty lonely come March, April and May. It does every year. It is nothing to worry about.

For me, these are the most exciting months of the year. It’s really how Operation Merry Christmas comes together. You can choose to be a part of it…or you can wait until the crowds start to show up around next Thanksgiving.

This is the one real unknown about the world elf community. We just don’t know who is still out there and engaged in the work of Santa.

But we hope those who read this understand how important the year round elf is.

We need you.

Greetings Fellow Trackers of Santa!

It is my distinct pleasure to announce our first ever Elf of the Year. This recognition is reserved for the tracker who has gone above and beyond in the service of Santa.

This award comes after recommendations from Elf Supervisors, admin staff at SantaTrackers.net, Santa’s Council at North Pole Flight Command, and from Santa himself. Santa has final say and has approved of this year’s Elf of the Year.

With gratitude and great joy, we are pleased to announce that our first-ever Tracker Elf of the Year is Elf Hannah, of Sector 3.

Elf Hannah has been a devoted and responsive elf almost since the start of our efforts here. She has great ideas, works to extend herself to other elves with kindness, and she is productive in a number of capacities. She is well on her way in her Elf Career.

Please join me in congratulating – and thanking – Elf Hannah.