A personalized book for a child is usually associated with the name on the cover. Elfindo goes further: it is a Christmas story in 24 chapters in which wishes from a real letter to Santa Claus, the child's interests and details from his everyday life become part of the adventure. You receive it as both an audiobook and an e-book. Below we explain how it works - from ordering to the final chapter on Christmas Eve.
What is a personalized Elfindo story?
Elfindo is a Christmas story about the adventures of the young elf Elfindo and his friend Elfira. In the distant Town of the Elves, preparations are underway for the most beautiful night of the year, and the elves have an important task ahead of them. However, not everything will go according to plan...
The story consists of 24 chapters - one for each day of December until Christmas Eve - so it works great as an Advent calendar. Listening to one chapter takes approximately 8-12 minutes. We create the story for children aged 4–12.
What's unique is that personalized excerpts are included in all 24 chapters, both in the audiobook and in the e-book. This is not a finished book with a changed name, but a story in which references to your child's world accompany you from the first chapter to the finale.
How it works step by step
- A child writes a letter to Santa Claus. This is the starting point of the whole story. The wishes written in the letter will be included in the story.
- Fill in the personalization form. Tell us about your child or children: their names, interests, wishes from the letter and a few details about home.
- You check your details and place your order. Before placing your order, you see a summary of all information and can correct it.
- We are preparing your story. We combine new technology with Christmas magic: based on your answers, a 24-chapter story is created in which the details provided are woven into the adventures of the elves.
- You get access. We will send a link to your version of the story to the e-mail address included in your order. All 24 chapters are available immediately.
- You read or listen. Preferably one chapter a day, from December 1 to December 24 - but the pace is up to you.
What information do you provide in the form?
The form is divided into two parts. First you provide information about the entire family, then details about each child.
General data
- Language of the story – in what language the story should be written.
- Town – this is where the little elf will start his journey. Enter the town where the senders of the letter to Santa live.
- Number of children, rooms and envelopes – how many children sent the letter, in how many rooms they live and in how many envelopes they sent the letter.
- A close person – for example a grandmother, grandfather, aunt or uncle, along with their name. A mention of this person will become a playful detail in the plot.
The room and the children
- Room description – one or two characteristic elements: favorite toys, wall color, furniture. If there is a pet in the room, it is also worth writing about it.
- The name, age and gender of each child.
- Interests – one or two hobbies, passions or favorite games.
- List of gifts – wishes that the child asks for in a letter to Santa Claus.
What if not all the gifts from the letter will be under the tree?
This is a common concern for parents, and rightly so. In the form, you can indicate that the gifts under the Christmas tree may differ from the wishes written in the letter. We will include this in the story without promising the child that the missing gifts will appear later. Thanks to this, the story supports your Christmas plans, instead of raising expectations that cannot be fulfilled.
The order includes only digital content - audiobook and e-book, no physical gifts.
Is the child the hero of the story?
No – and it's a conscious decision. The heroes of the story are the elves Elfindo and Elfira. The children's names appear in the story, and their interests and wishes drive the plot, but the children themselves do not feature in the story: the elf does not approach them or even see them. The story may include a description of the child's room, but always without the child's presence.
Your child therefore finds references to their own letter, room and loved ones in the elves’ adventures. The story stays within the warm, reassuring world of the elves. It includes humor, suspense and touching moments, so we recommend listening alongside younger or sensitive children.
One story for siblings
If several children sent a letter to Santa Claus, you do not need to order several stories. You can order one shared story with each child’s own wishes and familiar details. In the form, you assign each child to a room and add their interests and gift wishes. Listening to one story together brings siblings together and turns December evenings into a family ritual.
Audiobook and e-book: two forms of the same story
In the standard offer, you receive both formats in one package. It's the same story, so you can freely switch between them:
- an audiobook will work well in the evening with the lights off, in the car on the way to grandparents or when a parent lacks the strength to read,
- e-book allows you to read aloud, stop at your favorite fragments and talk about what happened,
- an older child can follow the text while listening to the narrator - this is a great exercise for beginning readers.
You can read more about when to choose which form in the article Audiobook or book - what to choose for children?.
How and where to listen and read?
When your story is ready, you will receive an e-mail with a link to your version of the story on app.elfindo.pl. It works in a browser on a phone (iOS and Android), tablet and computer - there is no need to install the application. Online, you need an up-to-date browser with JavaScript enabled, an internet connection and access to the email address used to order.
You can also download the e-book as a PDF file and the audiobook as MP3 files, and use them without the Internet - on any MP3 player and PDF reader. Online access and the ability to download files last 6 months from the date of delivery of the materials, so it is worth saving your own copy during this time. The materials are intended for private and family use.
When will you receive the story and when should you start?
You receive all 24 chapters at once. Materials are generated and made available within a maximum of 1 hour after payment is confirmed, or after a free order is accepted.
It's best to start listening or reading after your child has sent a letter to Santa. You can read one chapter a day until Christmas Eve, but you don't have to - all parts are available immediately, so if you join later, you will catch up on previous chapters or learn the story in sequence. For ideas on how to weave a story into your December countdown, see Advent Calendar Inspiration for Kids.
What happens to my child's data?
We use the information in the form only to prepare your story. We keep it while preparing, checking and delivering the story and making any corrections. As a rule, we delete or anonymize it no later than 30 days after delivery is complete. Details and exceptions are set out in the Privacy Policy.
Before placing an order, you can check and correct all data. Once the story is generated, we do not change the details on request, but this does not limit the right to make a complaint if the personalization is inconsistent with the order.
Frequently asked questions
What age group is Elfindo for?
We create the story with children aged 4–12 in mind. The magical world of elves can also interest older siblings.
Can I correct my details after placing an order?
You check and correct the data before placing the order. Once the story is generated, we do not change the details on request, so it is worth reviewing the summary carefully.
Do I need an app?
No. The story works in a browser at app.elfindo.pl. Downloaded MP3 and PDF files can be opened in any compatible audio player and PDF reader.
How long does one chapter last?
About 8-12 minutes of listening - perfect for an evening ritual before going to bed. You can find ideas for quiet evenings in the article about Christmas fairy tales to read before bed.
You will find more answers on the help page and details of the offer on the Elfindo personalized advent calendar page.