Lilith
12-28-2003, 08:54 AM
(submitted bu gekkogecko)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Naked Elves are Alabama's
newest holiday rage.
What began as a practical joke has evolved into an odd
yuletide tradition: Grown men wearing red boxer
shorts, Santa hats and lighted suspenders as they
travel around Birmingham singing off-key carols.
Garnering fans in two counties, the Naked Elves have
entertained at nearly 30 apartments, restaurants and
homes with their slightly warped version of Christmas
cheer.
Dozens of families got a visit from the men leading up
to Christmas.
"It's so much fun to see their faces, especially when
they don't know we are coming," said David Bryar, the
head elf.
Five years ago, four guys gathered on the lawn of Neal
Phillips' house clad only in boxers to tease Phillips'
wife Sarah.
Belting out an off-key version of traditional
Christmas carols, the men stood nearly naked in the
December night with nothing but their holiday spirit.
And with that, a tradition was born.
Stealing from house to house Monday night, the men
quietly parked and sneaked across the lawn of a home
near Alabaster. Standing in a line, a designated elf
delivered a quick push of the doorknob before rushing
back to reclaim his place in line.
As the family came to the door, the caroling began.
The Naked Elves delivered a rushed version of "Jingle
Bells" that quickly evolved into "We Wish You a Merry
Christmas." In less than a minute the elves were done,
scampering to vehicles parked beneath a large tree.
"Time for the next family," said elf Tony Scott as he
jumped into a truck carrying the men from house to
house.
The downside, of course, is the cold.
While an Alabama Christmas doesn't conjure up images
of Jack Frost, the weather can still dip below
freezing. That's pretty chilly for the Naked Elves.
"The worst was one night when it was 21 degrees," said
elf Kyle Belcher. "That was a long night because all
we got on is all you see here. Not much at all."
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Naked Elves are Alabama's
newest holiday rage.
What began as a practical joke has evolved into an odd
yuletide tradition: Grown men wearing red boxer
shorts, Santa hats and lighted suspenders as they
travel around Birmingham singing off-key carols.
Garnering fans in two counties, the Naked Elves have
entertained at nearly 30 apartments, restaurants and
homes with their slightly warped version of Christmas
cheer.
Dozens of families got a visit from the men leading up
to Christmas.
"It's so much fun to see their faces, especially when
they don't know we are coming," said David Bryar, the
head elf.
Five years ago, four guys gathered on the lawn of Neal
Phillips' house clad only in boxers to tease Phillips'
wife Sarah.
Belting out an off-key version of traditional
Christmas carols, the men stood nearly naked in the
December night with nothing but their holiday spirit.
And with that, a tradition was born.
Stealing from house to house Monday night, the men
quietly parked and sneaked across the lawn of a home
near Alabaster. Standing in a line, a designated elf
delivered a quick push of the doorknob before rushing
back to reclaim his place in line.
As the family came to the door, the caroling began.
The Naked Elves delivered a rushed version of "Jingle
Bells" that quickly evolved into "We Wish You a Merry
Christmas." In less than a minute the elves were done,
scampering to vehicles parked beneath a large tree.
"Time for the next family," said elf Tony Scott as he
jumped into a truck carrying the men from house to
house.
The downside, of course, is the cold.
While an Alabama Christmas doesn't conjure up images
of Jack Frost, the weather can still dip below
freezing. That's pretty chilly for the Naked Elves.
"The worst was one night when it was 21 degrees," said
elf Kyle Belcher. "That was a long night because all
we got on is all you see here. Not much at all."