Instead, he says 20 House residents help with House events on a rotating basis.
"[It's] a big rolling party--it brings a lot of people into the residence," he says.
Fiona A. Torres '02, who co-supervises the Mather workers, says she was surprised to hear about the elf system.
"I was shocked when I found out other Houses offered free housing for this," said Fiona A. Torres '02, "Quite frankly, I think it's a little ridiculous."
Doing the job as a student, says co-supervisor Ashley A. Dayer '02, can be a great change of pace.
"It's an escape from normal student life--doing something that I enjoy that's completely non-academic," Dayer says. "We hang out in a to-die-for kitchen, chat with other students and our masters, and make our favorite treats."