In Santa Claus tradition, elves are commonly said to help make toys in his workshop.
The workshop-elf idea developed from European folklore about small supernatural beings and became especially prominent in modern Christmas stories, illustrations, songs, and films. These elves are usually portrayed as cheerful craftsmen who build, paint, wrap, and organize presents for Santa Claus.
Santa’s elves are not the same as every elf in older mythology. Traditional elves could be helpful, mischievous, or dangerous, while the modern Christmas elf is generally friendly and industrious. Their familiar pointed hats, colorful clothing, and toy-making roles were shaped by popular culture rather than one single ancient source.
The best-known setting for these helpers is Santa’s workshop at the North Pole. That location, like the workshop itself, is a feature of later Santa imagery rather than a detail from the historical life of Saint Nicholas.