FAQs

A few answers to the questions you might have about The National Elf Service.

What is The National Elf Service?

Think of the Elf as an extra pair of hands for your gifting to-do list.

We all have those jobs that need doing, but never seem to make it to the top of the list. Finding presents is often one of them.

Perhaps you're the person who remembers everyone's birthdays, buys the Christmas presents and sorts out the gifts for children's parties. Perhaps you're juggling work, family life and a hundred other things. Or maybe you're in hospital, recovering from an illness or dealing with something that means shopping for presents is the last thing on your mind.

That's where the Elf comes in.

Just as you might get help with the cleaning or other jobs around the house, you can hand over the present searching too.

Tell me who you're buying for, what you'd like to spend and anything else I should know. I'll do the research and find five gift ideas that suit them.

One less thing to think about.

Who's behind The National Elf Service?

I'm Emma, the Elf behind The National Elf Service and a self-appointed Chief Present Officer!

What started as helping colleagues find the perfect presents has grown into a service to help others take the mental load out of gifting.

Want to know a little more? You can read my story on the About the Elf page.

How does it work?

Choose your service, tell me a little about who you're buying for and leave the searching to me.

Once you've placed your order, you'll be asked to complete a short gift brief. I'll use that information to find five gift ideas for each recipient, with links to where you can buy them.

Your recommendations will arrive by email in a personalised PDF.

What services do you offer?

One Tricky Person — £7.95

Five personalised gift ideas for that one person you're struggling to buy for.

The Christmas Elf — £29.99

Help with your Christmas list, with five gift ideas for each of up to 10 people.

Digital Gift Guides

Ready-made collections of gift ideas, available to download straight away.

You can also browse Shop the Elf's Picks for inspiration.

How long will my order take?

It depends on what you've ordered.

Working days exclude weekends and UK bank holidays.

For personalised services, the clock starts when I receive your completed gift brief, rather than when you place your order.

What do you need to know about the person I'm buying for?

I'll ask about things like their interests, hobbies, age, your relationship to them and how much you'd like to spend.

You can also tell me what they already have, what they definitely wouldn't like or anything else you think might help.

Don't worry if you haven't got much to go on. That's often why people come to the Elf in the first place.

Do I need a big budget?

Not at all. A good present doesn't have to be expensive.

Tell me what you'd like to spend and I'll look for ideas within your budget.

What if I need something urgently?

Get in touch before ordering and let me know when you need it. I'll be upfront about whether I can help within your timescale.

Do you buy and send the gifts too?

No, the Elf does the research and makes the recommendations. You choose which gifts you like and buy them directly from the retailer.

What if the suggestions aren't quite right?

I put time and care into finding gifts based on the information you give me, but I know that choosing presents can be personal.

If something doesn't feel right, get in touch and we can talk it through. Requests for changes are considered individually, and your statutory rights aren't affected.

Is The National Elf Service just for Christmas?

The Elf is for life, not just for Christmas!

Christmas might be our busiest season, but the gifting list doesn't disappear when the decorations come down.

There's little Jimmy's birthday party at the weekend, your mother-in-law's birthday that has suddenly crept up, the teacher's leaving present, anniversaries, new babies and all those other occasions that need a little thought.

Whether you've got months to plan or you're staring at your calendar wondering how it's already Thursday, the Elf can help you find something suitable.

Our One Tricky Person service is available all year round. Just remember to allow five working days for your recommendations, plus any retailer delivery time.

Can you help with someone who's particularly difficult to buy for?

That's how this all started!

Whether they've got an unusual hobby, seem to own everything already or you simply don't know where to begin, tell me what you can and I'll see what I can find.

Do you earn commission from the gifts you recommend?

Sometimes. Some links are affiliate links, which means The National Elf Service may earn a small commission if you buy something through them, at no extra cost to you.

It doesn't determine what I recommend. Finding something that suits the person and your budget comes first.

Can I browse gift ideas without paying for a personalised service?

Of course. Shop the Elf's Picks has themed collections and gift ideas you can explore for free.

There are also ready-made digital gift guides if you'd prefer a little inspiration without the personalised service.

Will you remind me about birthdays and other occasions?

Not at the moment. It's something I'd love to offer in the future, but for now I'm concentrating on helping you find the right gifts.

How do I get in touch?

You can contact me through the website's Contact page. Whether you've got a question before ordering or want to discuss an existing order, I'll be happy to help.

Got someone you just can't buy for? Let the Elf help.

Thoughtful gifting, without the mental load.