The Best Christmas Memory Was Created With A Little Help From An Elf
Christmas has always been a big deal in our house. Inside, the house is fully decked out with multiple Christmas trees, hand-made stockings (including one for each pet), garland, and a manger scene (complete with cats and dogs). Our front yard sparkles with lights starting Thanksgiving night through January 6th—the Feast of the Three Kings. Lots of Christmas cookies are made using recipes from both of my grandmothers. So many traditions.
And so many memories. One of my favorites was the year Santa sent a Christmas elf to our family room on Thanksgiving morning—with a special note to my daughter, Samantha (Sam).
Elf On The Shelf
Back in the day (20+ years ago) an ‘Elf on the Shelf’ would move from one sitting spot to another, but they were little more than observers of the households. Their cousins visiting homes today are involved in all kinds of shenanigans and creative antics that require super-creative moms who must carve out lots of time to ‘make the magic’.
I’m sure you’ve seen the Instagram or TikTok videos. Seems pretty stressful to me. I love the idea of skittles coming out of a faucet with a nearby elf holding a spoon to catch them. I’m just not sure I could have done the physical work involved after the kids were asleep and still woken up on time to get everyone, including myself, out the door in the morning.
A Special Request to Santa
It all started with a letter to Santa just before Thanksgiving:
“Dear Santa,
I would love to have my own elf but pleas make sure he is good or els I be afraid of him. I hope youre well,
P.S Thank you
PS.S Just as a preferece pleas make sure he is a boy and kind of looks like my friends elf but not idential.”
Enter Dexter Dingle-Doodle IV
My daughter’s Christmas elf was no ordinary Elf on the Shelf like the one her friends had. In fact, when she asked Santa for an elf, I hadn’t even heard about the famous Elf and didn’t have a clue that there was an official Elf on the Shelf, dressed in red and white, that arrived with a book (that I’ve never read) as a boxed set.
So I improvised.
At the time, Sam was learning to read and write. I thought letters were a great way for her to practice a bit while having some fun. What started as a simple note from Dexter to her upon his arrival, started a daily exchange of letters between them.
To this day I still remember the joy on her face every time Dexter left another note. And the sadness when she learned there was no Santa. She didn’t seem too upset about Santa but when she realized that no Santa meant her elf wasn’t real, the tears flowed. From both of us.
Make Believe Is A Precious Gift
I know there are some that believe children should know where gifts come from (parents) and that Santa, the Tooth Fairy, and all the other make-believe characters we have for various holidays and life events are ridiculous, harmful to our kids, or are driven by the Almighty Dollar. If you feel that way, that’s OK. Just as it is OK for me to disagree. I loved seeing the wonder and delight in my kids eyes. I loved the deep conversations we had about how those of us who knew the real deal about Santa could help keep the secret alive for younger kids. Once they realized they could be part of ‘the secret’, they felt the magic of Christmas beyond the gifts.
Dexter’s Letters
I came across some letters from Dexter. Although I don’t have Sam’s responses (I suspect they’re saved with a copy of Dexter’s letters in the attic somewhere), you’ll get a sense of how the curiosity of a child, an endearing elf, and the magic of Christmas unfolded once upon a time.
Dexter Introduces Himself on Thanksgiving Day
Hello. My name is Dexter Dingle-Doodle IV.
I am the great-grandson of the famous Dexter Dingle-Doodle who was Santa’s master fairy elf a thousand years ago. Just one fascinating fact I thought you should know.
I’ve been a fairy elf for about 232 years which makes me quite young. That’s why I don’t have many wrinkles.
Santa says I’m a bit mischievous because I can get silly sometimes like most fairy elves.
I like the color green. Do you have a favorite color?
What about food? My favorite food is peppermint flavored icicles fresh from the pine tree branches. I also like all kinds of chocolate. Chocolate chip cookies. Hot chocolate. Chocolate candy bars. Chocolate syrup. Chocolate ice cream.
I like to watch Christmas movies. But only the funny ones. I don’t particularly like the ridiculous ones where people are wondering if there’s really a north pole. I sing Christmas carols every morning as I stretch my wings (usually to myself since my voice is very high-pitched and a bit off-key).
I like to sit in high places so I get a good view of what’s going on. I’d like to stay at your house for a while if you don’t mind. I’m not sure how I feel about lots of people holding me. Can you make sure that only friendly people hold me?
I’m so excited about being your elf! And a little nervous because I hope you like me.
D.
A 2nd Letter From Dexter
Extended family visited on Thanksgiving and Sam became upset for Dexter after catching her Uncle moving him.
Hi Sam!
You’re a very good artist! I’m so happy! The necklace you made me is beautiful. I love the design. Thank you!
Boy I’m tired! Yesterday I moved once to get a better view of all the activity at your house (your family is very big!) and then your Uncle kept moving me back and forth on the shelf. Made me a little dizzy but I’m fine so don’t worry. I know he thought he was funny. And he was always very gentle. I don’t mind being handled but I do like my quiet time too. Plus, I had just flown in from the North Pole.
I was a little hungry and thirsty so I ate a bit of the cookie and drank a little water. I don’t generally eat a lot. I have to watch my boyish figure. Santa has told me to go easy on the chocolate particularly when I’m “visiting” (that’s what he calls it when I’m at your house during the holiday season.) When I’m at the North Pole, I can eat all the chocolate I want because it makes me work faster and longer in the toy room. But when I’m “visiting”, he wants me to relax and rest a bit. It’s like a vacation for me. And it is so FUN to be with you!! I’d like to snuggle a bit when you have a chance. Maybe we can watch a movie or decorate your house together?!
You asked about the North Pole and what I do when I’m there. Well, I help make toys. Mostly small electronics like iPods because my hands are small and nimble. That’s something fairy elves are known for.
What do you do for fun?
By the way, my brothers and sisters (all 76 of them) call me Dexter or D for short.
D.
Dexter’s Letter On Christmas
There were a number of letters in between Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve with lots of questions asked and answered between Dexter Dingle-Doodle IV and Sam. Here’s the final letter Dexter wrote on Christmas Eve for Sam to open Christmas Day.
Hi Sam!
You are the best person an elf could ever vacation with. I can’t tell you how much I am going to miss you! I’m going to ask Santa if I can visit this summer for a week. If it’s not too busy, I’m sure he’ll let me. As you know, he’s a really nice guy and he gives kids most everything they wish for that he thinks is a good idea. Plus, he really takes care of us elves. Visiting over the summer would make everyone happy.
I can’t wait to tell my brothers and sisters about you. I bet they had fun on their vacations, but not as much as I did. I loved sitting in your family room and your front hall seeing everything that goes on in your house. (By the way, your cat Talia loves the Christmas tree in the living room. She napped under that tree many, many days.)
Your letters were so nice. I really got to know you. You are a very sweet (and funny) girl! You’re a lot like me I think (only I’m a boy and I can’t say that I am funny...just silly.) I loved the way you told me what you liked about Christmas and how inquisitive you were about the North Pole and what the life of an elf is like. I hope I answered all of your questions.
Well, my wings are itching to fly and Santa’s got all your gifts down from the sleigh. So….off I go!
I love you more than peppermint icicles! I love you more than the toy workshop! I love you just like I love Christmas (and that is a lot!)
See you sooner rather than later,
D.
What Happened to Dexter Dingle-Doodle IV?
Sam wanted to know the ‘honest truth’ about Santa the next year. Tightly snuggled in a chair, we bawled our eyes out because the magic of Christmas had changed for both of us.
Dexter Dingle-Doodle IV might be a little ragged compared to 20+ years ago when he first joined our household, but he still brings a bit of magic our way each Christmas. (Photo: Edie Kramer)
Dexter, however, still holds magic for me. I see him every year when we take out the Christmas decorations. He always sits prominently on a stair or the banister in our front hall, greeting friends and family during the holiday season. He’s a reminder of a endearing time 20+ years ago between my beautiful daughter Sam and me. He’s also a reminder that this time of year can be magical for young and old.
Merry Christmas!
