"Did you know that the first Christmas cards were created by a British illustrator in 1843? He sold 1,000 in that first year and now they are a world wide custom," Amber elf said.

She was busy attaching a wheel to a doll stroller as she shared a tidbit of tradition about Christmas with some of the other elves at Santa's Workshop. It was a typically busy day at the Workshop. The elves were hammering, gluing and programming all of the wonderful toys that Santa brings to good girls and boys around the world each year.

"I like getting Christmas cards and the e-mail kind too," Percy said.

"I really like this Christmas Traditions theme for this year's Concert," said Roly, another elf, "I've been busy with Mrs. Claus baking traditional Christmas cookies and other sweets for the Concert," he added.

"It figures you'd be working the food angle," Percy said to the plump Roly.

"There are so many wonderful traditions at Christmas - the gifts, the candles, the cookies - but my favourite is one we never get here at the North Pole," sighed Erno, the littlest elf.

"You mean Boxing Day shopping?" Amber elf asked.

"I mean a Christmas tree. We're so far north of the tree line that not even a spruce tree could call the North Pole home. I'd love to have a tree on stage at the Concert. . ."

"Especially when we sing our duet - Oh, Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree da da da da da dum dee," Amber sang.

"Hey we can make a tree here at the workshop. It would look really cool," Percy said.

"No, I mean a real tree. A great big Balsam Fir that fills a room with the smell of Christmas, with soft green branches dripping with sparkling lights and silver bells and shining garland!" Erno cried.

Just then, the door to Santa's Workshop flew open and in stepped Blitzen, the reindeer. He was so happy he seemed to almost dance on his tiny hooves. "My cousin Bruce is coming for a visit. Oh, it's so nice to have family visit for the holidays!"

"I've never heard you mention Bruce. Is he a flying reindeer also?" Amber asked.

"No, actually he's a moose! He's my second cousin once removed on my father's side. . . at least I think that's how it goes. . . anyway, he's on his way! Erno, let's call him on his wireless and ask him to bring a tree!" Blitzen said.

"A tree! A tree - a big fir tree that glows green and smells like Christmas!" Erno cried. Now he was the one dancing. Indeed, the mood spread quickly as all the elves joined in with Erno and Blitzen: "A tree, a moose, a tree, a moose, What a Christmas this will be! Happy Christmoose to yoooooooooooooooouuuuu." The elves sang a silly song until just then the door opened and in stepped the jolliest of all the elves.

"Ho, Ho, Ho," Santa called.

"Santa! We've been working hard to get all the toys together for your magical ride," Erno said proudly.

"Ah, my tiny elves, what would I do without you? Why there would be no Christmas!" At the mere mention of this thought Santa's face clouded over. "Sorry elves, carry on with your Christmas-moose song," Santa said, as if it were the most ordinary thing in a day - elves singing about moose and trees.

"Smith, we need to talk," Santa said gravely.

Santa and Smith spoke in low voices in a corner of the Workshop. Smith seemed alarmed and while Santa's voice was soothing, his face was dark with worry. Despite their silly singing and fun, the elves could clearly see something was wrong.