Our Lady of the Elms Elementary Library

How to Make Christmas Card for a Shelf Elf

Shelf Elves love handmade things and would much rather have a handmade Christmas card from you than a computer-printed card.

By making a Christmas Card for a shelf elf by yourself, you are learning to cut, write, draw and color.  Think about what you want to say to your shelf elf this Christmas and then think of what would be the best picture to show your message on the card's cover. The directions on this page are fairly simple, but you can always ask your mom or dad for help if you run into a problem.

You can make everything yourself except for the stamp. Our Shelf elves, Miles and Millie, sent Mr. DeFrange a supply of Elven Mail postage stamps that only elves can buy. Putting the stamp on the envelope is the last step before you drop it in the elves' mailbox. If you ask Mr. DeFrange for an Elven Mail stamp, he'll give you one for free to stick on your letter or card before you drop it in the elves' mail box in the library. Your envelope should be addressed like the one in the picture with your return address in the corner with your name and grade.

Here's how to make the envelope. (Remember that if you want to save some time, Mr. DeFrange already has some envelopes that his high school volunteer moms made to help you out. Ask him for a free elf envelope.)

You can make the Christmas Card using an ordinary 3' X 5" index card.

After you cut out the blank Christmas card from the index card, fold it so that the lines are on the inside of the card. Draw something on the plain front of the card that shows what Christmas means to you. Then on the inside of the card write your Christmas greeting to the elf.

If you're wondering how Elven Mail works --- who picks it up and who delivers it --- no one but Elven Mail elves know. One time you might see that your letter was picked up by Elven Mail Elves the same day that you put it in the elves' mailbox. Another time the letters might sit in the elves' mailbox for many days. Please do not touch letters that are in the elves' mailbox waiting for Elven Mail pickup. They are property of Elven Mail until they are delivered. We surely don't want the Elven Mail Elves upset with us at the Elms. We need them to carry our letters for us all the way to Miles and Millie in far away places in the world.

Remember to always write kind words to the elves. Elves are sensitive, and kind words show them that you care about their feelings.