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Come Christmas time, you see houses largely decorated in the Christmas spirit. You’ll stop and stare at stars, baubles, cribs, and stockings. You’ll often see elf props in gardens or on windows, and people know so much about Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, or Santa Claus. But they know little about his little helpers, the elves.
What Are Elves?
Santa’s Elves mythologically have pointed ears and a short, youthful appearance. They’re dressed from head to toe in Christmas colours: green, red, and white. They have special magic that they use to perform their various duties, like keeping the Nice list in check, wrapping gifts, and keeping their workshop hidden from human sight.
In different cultures, elves have different cultural significance. For instance, in Scandinavian folklore, elves are little pranksters. Keeping a bowl of porridge outside your door at night will please the elves, and they’ll let you go without using their magic to bamboozle you.
Why Elf Props Are Good Christmas Gifts
Little elf dolls are often part of family households. However, the modern day makes people forget the simplicity of playing with dolls. So, here are a few reasons why gifting your little one an elf doll next Christmas is smart.:
Dolls Aid Social Development
Research has shown that using dolls helps social development. Children assign various roles to these dolls and reenact what they observe around them. For instance, they might pretend their doll is their baby if they see their mother caring for their sibling. This helps them understand social roles and how they fit into the world.
Engages Your Child
The holidays can be a tough time. There’s a lot of cleaning to do, preparations for guests, and setting up the decor. Meanwhile, children, as heartwarming as they are, can sometimes slow down the process. So, a new toy introduces some excitement in their life that’s enough to distract them for a while.
If your child is a little older, you can also engage them in crafty activities by teaching them how to make clothes for the dolls or how to decorate a dollhouse for the elf props. You create a family tradition by actively engaging your child in the process.
Children Learn About Culture
What better way to teach a child about tradition than fun little toys? The elf doll will engage their interest enough that you can begin educating them about your religion and culture. Meanwhile, today’s children don’t have the patience to listen to long stories about why you do something the way you do; they want quick answers. But if explained through an entertainment medium, they might listen.
It Can Be Used for Discipline
Children believe that Santa Claus has a Nice list and a Naughty list. So, you can place an elf doll in their room and tell your child that the elf is watching them. When they act nice, their name is on the Nice list, and they’ll get loads of presents, but if they do something Naughty, they won’t get any.
Having this little cue in their room when they are alone can begin the process of self-regulation. This eventually leads to moral development.
Parents hesitate to give their children too many dolls because children’s toys have historically not been very inclusive. However, companies have recently begun to recognise this and manufacture more dolls for children with special needs. So, you can give your elves an asthma inhaler, epi-pen, glasses, cochlear implants, and much more! With these details, your children can feel equally part of the celebration.