Whimsical Christmas Wreath
Today’s post features an elf Christmas wreath, I’ve named after a very old and dear buddy of mine. 
This is the second post on Christmas wreaths I made for my sons.
See the first, Bringing Home the Christmas Tree DIY Wreath.
For both wreaths, I followed a similar, five-step process using deco mesh techniques. I share a supply list, as well as instructions, tips and photos to help you follow along the production process.
Let me begin with the inspiration for the elf Christmas wreath and it’s name, Elmer the Elf.
For that, I have to tell you a magical Christmas story of old. Elmer has been part of my family’s Christmas tradition for over half a century.
A Trip to the North Pole
It all began one summer, when my parents took me to White Face Mountain in Lake Placid area. While in the area, we visited Santa’s North Pole Workshop.
At Whiteface Mountain you can see Santa’s home, a reindeer barn, toy workshop, and ‘official’ North Pole post office. I still have a reindeer shoe and nail from that trip. Established in 1949, it is described as the forerunner of all theme parks. But in my childhood memories, it was … and still is, the real deal. I believe!
That’s where I met, Elmer the elf.
A Family Legend 
There I was, minding my own business, when this elf starts talking to me from above! Sunning himself atop a wooden pole. I remember trying to hide behind my dad — rather startled and more than a little leery.
No mater where I moved, it seemed Elmer could still see me.
He even knew my name! Elmer seemed to know everything about me.
OK, I know you may look at this picture of my dad and see a plaster figure in the background. But, that’s just the way magical beings appear in a photograph!
He was (is) a warm, breathing, living elf in my mind’s eye.
He Knows if You’ve Been Bad or Good
Elmer explained that Santa uses his legions of elves to help determine who’s been naughty and nice. The elves also report back what good little children want for Christmas. Apparently, there is a magical communication system that allows elves to provide regular updates to Santa. These guys are an independent group from toy-maker elves.
It is a magical, wonderful memory I treasure and that continues every Christmas.
Elves in the Attic 
Every year, on Thanksgiving night, Elmer travels down from the North Pole and moves into our attic — sight unseen. Elmer said he’d be there, and I believed him! I still do.
My mother often complained of him raiding the kitchen for snacks in the middle of the night, while we all slept. Open boxes and crumbs were frequently found on the kitchen counter, and sometimes under the attic access in the hallway near our bedrooms.
My younger sisters and I always slid carefully under the attic hatch. We weren’t afraid of Elmer, but maybe a little intimidated. Certainly, we were in awe of him. None of us actually wanted to run into Elmer. It was enough that we knew he was there, reporting back to Santa.
We loved Elmer.
On Christmas Eve the elf returned home in Santa’s sleigh. But, not until helping himself to the snack we always left for Elmer, Santa and the reindeer too!
A Timeless Story
Elmer is very, very old and came to be long before the Elf on the Shelf story and tradition.
I always felt rather special that I had been to the North Pole and actually met my ‘house’ elf. Not only that, but most kids were clueless that they even had an elf in their attic who was reporting back to Santa!
If you think about it, it makes a lot of sense. Millions and millions of kids for Santa to keep track of. Of course he has an elf network around the globe. Do the math people!
And the cycle of magic happened year after year, after year. Right down to my and my sisters’ children — from generation to generation. The dearly loved tradition lived on with my sons and their cousins. Someday, Elmer will return, once there are grandchildren. I can’t wait to “see” my old friend again!
Do you have any family Christmas stories you’ve passed down?
Create Your Own Elf Christmas Wreath
Step 1: Gather Supplies and Embellishments
- 16-inch green wreath frame (Pat Catans)
- 12-inch red & white candy cane strip mesh (Joanns)
- 2 1/2-inch elf leg & letter to Santa wired ribbons (Michaels)
- Elf hat (Pat Catans)
- Pair of striped elf legs (Pat Catans)
- Jingle bell floral pick (Michaels)
- 1 package, 24 red glitter pipe cleaners (Dollar Store)
Step 2: Prep wire frame
Step 3: Attach deco mesh to wire frame
I used pipe cleaners, seven for each of the inner and outer rings of the 16-inch green wire frame for the Elf Christmas wreath.
No need to spray paint it white or red as the mesh provided good coverage.
It’s always best to have an odd number of pinch points for balance and fullness of the deco mesh ‘poof’, ribbon clusters, and placement of embellishments.
Although both the candy cane and snow mesh used in the Bringing Home the Christmas Tree wreath rolls appeared to have the same length of material, they did not. The candy cane mesh was twice the length, even after going around the same size frame twice. There’s plenty left for another project. Lesson learned — read the label dimensions first Debbee!
Step 4: Cut & twist wire ribbon at pinch points
With 14 total inner and outer pinch points, the elf Christmas wreath required 14, 10-inch lengths of each ribbon style. Since both the elf leg and Santa mail ribbons were 2 1/2-inch wide, I alternated which ribbon was on the top and bottom. This balanced the look of the two prints around the wreath.
Just pinch each ribbon in the middle, lay over the red pipe cleaner and twist twice.
Step 5: Add embellishments
First I cut the jingle bell floral pick into six separate sticks, shortening each stick to about two-inches. I then arranged them at pinch points, by spacing around the wreath and alternating the three different color bells.
Each bell stick was pushed through to the back at an angle. Again, pipe cleaner was twisted around each stick several times, to secure the bells in place.
The elf hat and legs I had purchased were on long stakes, intended to insert in a floral centerpiece or arrangement. I cut the stake lengths to fit the wreath; figuring I could tuck them into the wreath frame and wire into place. Then, I realized there was a problem. If I attached the hat and legs in place, the wreath was going to be much longer than the box I had to ship it in to Philadelphia. It would take a much larger box and be prohibitive costly to mail.
So, like some of the toys Santa brings (i.e. bikes), there was going to be some assembly required by son upon delivery! I took a picture for him to see the positioning, and provided additional pipe cleaners and heavier evergreen stems to secure the legs and hat into place.
Elf Takes Up Residence in Philadelphia
The elf Christmas wreath design shows Elmer’s hat and legs but not his face or body. That’s because I’m the only one, besides my parents, who have seen him in person.
He remains an illusive, magical, and much-loved presence.
Link Parties
I regularly participate in: Metamorphous Monday, Share Your Style, Tablescape Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things, Crafty Creators, Saturday Sparks, Happiness is Homemade, and Love Your Creativity.
Cute as can be!! Love it!!
Hi Sharon, so glad you got to “meet” Elmer. However did you find my elf wreath this time of year?
What a great story! I’m sure you cherish the memory, and what a great picture of you at the “park.” And such a fun wreath. xo Kathleen
I do, and can’t believe how clearly I still remember it. Can’t wait until I have grandkids and Elmer comes back!
What a great story, Debbee! Love that it’s been passed down through the generations. I would’ve been downright petrified that there was an elf living in our attic. Knowing my brothers they would’ve rigged some kind of spy system in the attic. LOL I love your wreath creations and this elf one is so stinking cute!
Glad you enjoyed it Marie! Every Christmas I put up the two framed photo’s I had made from slides of my visit to the NP. Elmer’s personality and legend are about ten times his small stature. Yes, my eldest was extremely curious about Elmer. One year, he began writing letters to him almost daily; leaving them on the floor under the attic access. Elmer had a hard time keeping up the correspondence in his old world script on “vintage” Santa paper (wink, wink).
I absolutely needed this post tonight Debbee! Loved the pictures, the story, the tradition! I think a bit of cabin fever hit me today and I wasn’t quite myself. This cheered me right up so I thank you! Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Aww Denise, your lovely remarks really made my day! So glad Elmer’s story and our family tradition resonated with you.
What a cute wreath ! Thank you for sharing with us at Meraki Link Party.
A lovely story. I shall try this tradition with my grandchildren. Thank you for sharing your story and your gorgeous wreath! Linda
I’m glad you enjoyed it Linda. I can’t wait to have grandchildren and pass the story on another generation! My eldest is getting married in September, so maybe not too long now…!