March Madness
At the North Pole, March Madness is just as much -- if not more fun -- as the sporting events like basketball or hockey. While it may not be a traditional sport here, our March Madness comes from a friendly competition of brainstorming new and exciting toys and gift ideas for the children around the world! Toys that will be distributed in December of 2021, loved and appreciated by both children and adults. Here’s how it works...
Rafqua is the Lead Toy Maker. He sets up eight teams consisting of at least 12 elves per team. Each team is then gifted a “word” and the team is then responsible to generate toy ideas around that word, then agree upon and build a toy prototype to present to the Toy Board of Directors (TBD) for approval. This year those eight words are:
1. Train
2. Nerf
3. Ball
4. Robot
5. Seed
6. Music
7. Bath
8. Pet
There are so very many fun and exciting things that can be built out of those simple eight words. This is where the true elf spirit really shines!
The TBD includes Santa, Rafqua, one Senior Toy Maker, two greenhorn toy makers, and myself of course. There needs to be that maternal influence from Mrs. Claus you know! We also like to invite the newer, less experienced elves to join in this decision-making process simply to keep our focus sharp and current! It is very important to have that youthful perspective on the things that we do.
Our responsibility as the TBD is to identify the best or top three new toys out of the eight teams to be our focus gift for the next six months as we head towards a new Christmas Season. I will be certain to let you know of the winners… oh wait, maybe not! I don’t want to let the snowflake out of the snow globe too soon. It just might ruin the surprise!
Throughout the month of March, it is fun to watch as each of the elves work diligently to keep their secret as they build and form their ideas while playfully taunting the other teams of elves. Some teams work under the light of the moon to keep their secret. Some teams work in shifts, while others barricade themselves in the barns with the reindeer. We all know that the reindeer can keep a really good secret! The pounding of nails, the smells of fragrant woods and paint…around every corner you will hear gales of laughter and cheerful singing. In the halls, you will see tight-lipped (yet smirking) elves tripping over themselves to get from one secret spot to the next. Charming is an understated way of expressing the beauty and love of this madness!
Of course, those not involved in the competition are busy supporting the elves during this important time. Baking, sewing, gardening, repairing, and all the other necessary things that must take place to keep the North Pole in operation. New desserts and candies are being created and tested, the food buffets are endlessly provided to keep all the elves fed and energized, and everyone assumes responsibility to keep things moving forward.
The selflessness of all of the elves really pays off as the newness of the season presents. I as Mrs. Claus, am delighted to appreciate the love of the March Madness that only leads to the love of the season!
Be good and kind, we’ll see you next time!
