An elf is a mythical fantasy creature that originated in Germanic mythology. The creatures are known for having magical powers, and in the earliest tales of folklore were tiny little creatures that lived in trees and in hidden forest areas. In most elvish stories, including Norse and Scandinavian, elves were considered kind, wise, even beautiful or graceful creatures.http://www.buzzle.com/articles//where-do-elves-come-from.html In contrast, in German medieval stories, elves were little creatures that were pranksters and trouble makers. Their most common form of mischief was said to be giving people nightmares and spreading diseases.http://absolutist.com/elf_treasure/elf_image.html Norse mythology told tales of two different types of elves: Dark and light. And they were commonly regarded as minor deities.http://www.timelessmyths.com/celtic/faeries.html#Elf

These variations on common themes across cultures were shared across thousands of years of history. But the vision of elves had not substantially changed until recent modern times, when fantasy authors such as J.R.R. Tolkien reinvented elvish mythology. In the revolution, elves became wise, skilled warriors adept at long-range bow attacks, and a graceful species in tune with nature. They are skilled craftsmen with long pointy ears who live extraordinary long lives. They tend to defend the side of good instead of evil, though tales of more sinister elves have certainly existed, usually in stark contrast to the normally kind nature of the elvish people. Elves in this new modern form can be found in movies, books, Halloween costumes, dolls, and even in marketing promotions.

For other uses of the term "elf", see sections below.

Elf Movie - A 2003 Christmas comedy movie starring Will Ferrell. In the film, Ferrell stars as Buddy the Elf, one of Santa's helper elves who is an unusually large size. When he discovers he's actually a human, Buddy leaves the North Pole to find his real father (played by James Caan) and restore the spirit of Christmas to the people of New York City.

Christmas Elves - Starting in the 19th century, elves as classically known above from folklore and legend, transformed into Santa's helpers. Scandinavian writers told tales about Christmas elves helping Santa and being somewhat mischievous in tricking boys and girls who had been naughty, while rewarding those who had been nice. Today's modern image of Christmas elves imagines them to have pointy green shoes with bells, green pointy hats and dapper outfits. They are diminutive in size and are very crafty hard workers with many talents for building toys and organizing Santa's big night.http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/history/elves.htm

Keebler Elves - In 1968 the Keebler Company, known for their baked goods and cookies, developed a company cartoon "spokesman" named Ernie the Elf, who lives and works in a hollowed-out tree where he produces "uncommonly good" products. Over the years, a whole family of elves were incorporated into the advertising campaign, and are said to work in the Hollow Tree Bakery.http://www.tvacres.com/admascots_keebler.htm The advertising campaign plays on a lot of ages old ideas about elves living in trees, being talented and industrious, and being small in stature with pointy ears.