Before elves became involved in toy production, Santa had a variety of other options. He relied on animals like reindeer and other magical creatures, as well as his own supernatural abilities. However, he found that using elves offered several advantages. They were capable of understanding complex machinery, had a keen eye for detail, and were able to work together harmoniously to produce toys in large quantities. Additionally, elves had a unique ability to infuse toys with a special kind of magic that could bring joy to children on Christmas morning.