why do elves have pointy ears

It's a matter of evolution, really. As elves have developed over the centuries, our ears have adapted to better hear the whispers of children's Christmas wishes. The pointy shape of our ears helps us to hear even the slightest of whispers, and it allows us to pick up on every child's special request. So the pointy ears are a magical gift, helping us to spread the joy of Christmas all over the world.