The Great Ribbon Weave
Town Square in Santa’s Village
The toy factories of Santa’s Village are famous for their precision, their charm, and their bright splashes of color — but when it comes to pure decorative magic, nothing rivals the Great Ribbon Weave. This annual event transforms the Town Square into a living loom, where dozens of teams race to weave the most dazzling, intricate gift ribbons imaginable.
The tradition began nearly seventy years ago when a shipment of imported ribbon spools was delayed by a snow squall. Rather than halt toy wrapping, the elves improvised — stringing lengths of yarn and silk into makeshift looms. The resulting ribbons were so striking that Mrs. Claus herself declared the first week of August henceforth “Ribbon Week,” complete with a public competition.
By mid-morning, the Town Square is lined with tall wooden frames draped in strands of fairy-light thread. Booths brim with baskets of fabric strips, glitter-tipped cords, bells, and charms for embellishment. The air smells faintly of cinnamon from the baker’s stall — strategically placed for quick snack breaks. Music from the village band spills across the cobblestones, helping everyone keep time with their weaving.
Teams sign up weeks in advance, representing every corner of Santa’s Village and the surrounding elf hamlets. Messenger Elves zip overhead delivering last-minute supply requests, while True Elves and Shoe Elves work shoulder-to-shoulder at the looms.
Each team receives a standard spool of base ribbon and an equal allotment of decorative materials — lace, embroidery floss, shiny threads, even tiny jingle bells. Over the course of two hours, they must weave a continuous ribbon at least 20 feet long. The judging is based on three criteria: pattern complexity, overall beauty, and creative charm (which often comes down to the judges’ fondness for whimsical details).
While the rules discourage excessive use of fairy dust for speed, a little sparkle for flair is permitted — and some teams get very creative. Last year, a group from Frostberry Lane used pale blue dust to create a ribbon that shimmered like moving water.
Ribbon weaving is deceptively tricky. Strands can tangle, tension can slip, and on rare occasions, an overenthusiastic helper elf can get wrapped entirely in the work-in-progress. One memorable year, Dexter Tinker entered the contest and accidentally rigged his loom to weave sideways, producing a ribbon that was only six inches long but 20 feet tall before it tipped over like a colorful ladder.
On the more refined side, seasoned competitors can produce patterns so detailed they resemble snowflakes or miniature village scenes. The reigning champions — a trio of sisters from Pinewhistle Grove — are known for their signature “candy-stripe snowburst” pattern, which they guard as closely as a family recipe.
While the contest is the centerpiece, The Great Ribbon Weave is also an excuse for the whole community to mingle. Spectators cheer, children try weaving on practice looms, and merchants sell limited-edition “Ribbon Week” wrapping paper. At the end of the day, the completed ribbons are auctioned, with proceeds going toward the Elfling Orientation Program and toy-making apprenticeships.
The event concludes with a ceremonial “Knot of Honor” — the winning ribbon’s final loop tied by Mrs. Claus herself before it is displayed in the Village Hall until the holiday season.
Whether you’re there to compete, to cheer, or simply to admire the artistry, The Great Ribbon Weave is proof that in Santa’s Village, even something as simple as ribbon can be transformed into an unforgettable work of joy.
Update: 8-8-25