FAQ

Yes scientifically you are correct but this is a fictional movie not meant to be looked at with this much thought

Papa Elf (Bob Newhart) tells the story of his adopted human son Buddy (Will Ferrell) whom he raised from an infant when the little guy inadvertently crawled into Santa's toy sack and ended up at the North Pole. Thirty years later, Buddy (who now towers over all the other elves), learns of his human heritage and goes to New York City to search out his birth father, Walter Hobbs (James Caan)... who just happens to be on Santa's (Edward Asner) naughty list.

Elf is based on a screenplay written by American screenwriter David Berenbaum.

They didn't. They took his name from the brand name on his disposable diaper: Little Buddy Diapers.

Buddy retrieves the engine to Santa's sleigh but can't retrofit it back into place before the Central Park Rangers, who never forgave Santa for putting them on the naughty list, start chasing it. Santa tries to take off, but the sleigh won't fly on its own for lack of Christmas spirit. Therefore, Michael (Daniel Tay) steals Santa's gift list and reads it in front of the TV cameras in hopes of getting viewers to believe. Meanwhile, Jovie (Zooey Deschanel) takes it upon herself to start singing Santa Claus is Comin' to Town. Slowly, the crowd, including Walter, joins in until they amass enough Christmas spirit to get the sleigh off the ground, thus saving Christmas. Papa Elf then finishes the story by telling how Walter eventually started his own publishing company with the first best-selling book titled Elf, an account of Buddy's adventures. He goes on to say that Buddy and Jovie married and had a daughter named Susie. In the final scene, Buddy, Jovie, and baby Susie are visiting Papa Elf at his home on the North Pole. Papa requests to hold the little one, and Buddy plops himself into Papa Elf's lap.