How to Make Elf Doors

How would you make elf doors, you ask? Simple. The most important building material when making an elf door is the magic of believing. Before anything else, you must believe in elves and pixies. Believing in fairies won’t hurt, either.

Mind you…we’re not talking about Christmas elves, here. While these elves do celebrate the holidays and very definitely appreciate a nice gift every now and again, they are not the type of elves you’d find in Santa’s workshop. Now that I think about it, though, they probably are related. Instead, this type of elf or pixie, as the young ones are called, is the type of elf that hangs around everywhere except the North Pole. Too cold up there. Of course they could use their magic to heat things up a bit, but every elf I ever met was of a mind to keep magic on a tight leash. I’ve never known an elf to use his or her magic frivolously.

Believe and Anything Can Happen

All you have to do is believe in order for the elves and pixies to show up on your doorstep. But…don’t call them if you don’t have a home for them. That would be cruel. If you believe in elves and pixies and fairies all you have to do is let that belief go. It will sail along the rooftops and dip and swirl in with the passing breeze. Eventually it’ll touch every corner of the globe and when an elf or pixie comes upon your thoughts, they’ll know they have a place in your home to visit—or live, if and when they travel in your direction.

It’s true, you know. All you have to do is believe and the magic will begin to move in ways you can only imagine! Simply believe that elves, pixies, and fairies exist—which they do—and the magic will be released in your direction just like it was released in my direction, and you, too, can enjoy the benefits of having such magical creatures living in your home.

Magic is Required

Ah…magic. You’re probably wondering how, if one doesn’t already have magic, one “gets” magic. Right? Well, that’s simple. You have to believe. (I know. I already said that. But it’s true—it’s just that easy!) Once you believe, the magic really is released. And then, and only then can you begin to understand. It will be as if a new dimension just opened up—because that’s exactly what will happen! And once that dimension opens up there is nothing that can stop the magic from surrounding your home!

Doors That Lead to a New Dimension

Of course, in order to step into your home an elf would have to have a door, right? Right. So…now comes the easy part. You drop whatever it is you’re doing this instant, and you build an elf door.

I told you this was simple!

How to Make Elf Doors

Again, this is the easy part. Elf doors do not require specific dimensions. They can be as small as you choose or as large as you please. They can have a frame or not, they can be painted or plain. They can be in the middle of the wall or up along the ceiling or they can be at floor level. They can be wide or narrow, made of paper or wood. They can be whatever your heart desires. There is only one stipulation. The elf door MUST have a doorknob. Without a doorknob the magic will keep the door sealed. Once the doorknob is placed on the door, an elf may take it with him/her, of course, to keep others from entering in their absence, but that’s fine. After all, it is their door. The only stipulation is that you “initially” place a doorknob on the door.

That having been said, I would like to add that because elves live presumably forever, it would be nice if the door in your home also could withstand the trials and tribulations of time. A wooden door would be a good idea.

Perhaps five inches tall and…oh…about four inches wide. A door frame would make it more solid. I mean, there’s a frame around all of your doors, right? I think it’s nice when the frame and door are painted in different but coordinating colors—makes it feel more personal, like you put some thought into what you were doing. An elf would appreciate that. In my experience, a pushpin is the perfect size for a doorknob. I noticed they’ve hung a Christmas wreath on their door in my kitchen this year, and erected a mailbox. Hummm. Wonder if they’re expecting a Christmas Party invitation or maybe just Christmas Cards?

In all the years since we made our elf door, I have only seen one red felt foot, and then only once, as the door slammed quickly behind an elf, apparently a teenage elf who was late coming home and found the door locked. That’s what alerted me to someone being in the kitchen in the first place—that small knock. But by the time I flicked on the light, all I saw was that tiny felt foot. I’ll always wonder if I frightened him. I left a note the next morning saying I was sorry, and though it disappeared, I have no way of knowing if the right elf saw it or not.

So, anyway, I know the elves use the elf door in my kitchen all the time. Sometimes I find little presents beside the door. I’m never sure if they’re for me—you know as a thank you for making the door—or if the gifts have been left by an elf from a different house, perhaps the sweetheart of my errant elf? Maybe they have lunch together. Who knows for sure? Sometimes I pick up the tiny gifts and shake them gently, but I’m always careful to return them to the same spot.

The elves and pixies have been coming and going for so many years through the elf door in my kitchen that it’s starting to show some wear. I’m thinking it might be nice to give the elf door a fresh coat of paint. Maybe I will after the holidays. Right now I have to go. I’m making teeny tiny star shaped sugar cookies with frosting. That’s their favorite.

Do yourself a favor. If you only believe in one thing, believe in magic. The magic is the key that unlocks all of the elf doors in the world, and all of the other magical, mythical, wonderfully outrageous secrets and fables that float from one door to the next. Is your elf door ready? The magic may be floating past your house right now.