What motivates the elves to work for Santa?

From all the stories we have ever heard about the Elves, it is a tough life! Up at the North Pole in the cold cold weather.

They have only three options for jobs - The shoe shop, Santa's toy shop, Sleigh maintenance round the year for the big trip on Christmas eve. They do this year in year out, not sure if there is much else for them given they are vertically challenged and a weird sense of dress? I know most places are open minded but it may still be tough for people to adjust to the Elves and the Elves to adjust to people.

I have seen them play Elves take charge and move to Hollywood. They have secured roles in the Media and Entertainment industry but that too is far and few. Whats worse is the perception that an Elf dies each time someone opens their gift prematurely before Christmas. How scary is that? Obviously there is not much an Elf can do about the risk factor other than control delivery timing to avoid early delivery but then there are logistical challenges with the entire "LTL" (less than truck load) delivery system.

I am quite sure I may have personally contributed to a significant fatalities in the Elf community around the holidays with my anxiety to find out what I was getting for Christmas? Years ago during grad school I tried to help the Elves without much success in trying to help plan Santa's trip on Christmas eve, what is popularly refered to as the "Travelling Salesman" or the "Chinese Postman" problem. I am sure FedEx, UPS and DHL have been working hard on this for many years now, it is what is called an N-P Hard problem (Non Polynomial, unsolvable problem).

Every year around the holidays I have wonder what motivates the Elves to work for Santa? Food, Clothing and Shelter are obviously fundamental but is there something else? I am sure living with the old St. Nick is a treat but is it enough to keep someone up at the North Pole?

A few years ago I was working on a brand that had a altruist element. The joy and fulfilment to the consumers was very rewarding. May be it is the smiles on peoples face and the kids jumping to joy when they receive their Christmas gift that motivates the Elves and if they are anything like me then the idea of imagining Santa being stuck in the Chimney every once in a while gives them another reason to stick around!

Happy Holidays to All!