A four-story home inside a wall: "I believe the next floor will surprise you," says Riikka, who’s been building her elf door for 10 years

This fall marks the tenth time 41-year-old Riikka Huttunen begins her popular Christmas elf calendar on social media for all those seeking holiday cheer and magic. Riikka’s elf door stands out: the multi-level elf home is built into a partition wall, and behind its windows, doors, and balconies, life goes on year-round.

"I placed a small door at floor level in our home back in the fall of 2014—this was a couple of years before elf doors became popular. I’ve sometimes joked that maybe I’m the founder of the elf door craze," Riikka says.

Riikka has always loved Christmas, and when she had children, she wanted to bring the holiday spirit into their home. In the beginning, though, the tiny door wasn’t tied to Christmas—it was simply a little door for the household elf or spirit.

"I think we all need a touch of fairy tale in our lives, even as adults. I believe in Christmas magic. The holiday season reminds us of all the good around us. Maybe that’s why I started thinking the little door could create a Christmas wonderland in the form of an advent calendar."

At first, only Riikka’s own children—her youngest was three back then—and close relatives on Facebook followed the elf door calendar. Things changed when Riikka shared a photo of the door in a Christmas Facebook group. The door quickly gained popularity and sparked an entire community, so Riikka set up an Instagram account for it: @thetonttuovi.

Initially, the advent calendar story took place right in front of the door. Neither the children nor those following on social media believed it would actually open.

"On December 23, 2016, my spouse and I sent the kids to their grandparents’ place and decided make an opening for the elf door inside the wall. We tapped around, hoping to find an empty space behind it."

The Huttunen family lives in a wooden house with gypsum board walls. The elf door had to stay in the exact spot it had been in, because moving it would have confused the children. They were fortunate to discover a 6 centimeter gap in the wall. The metal supports happened to run almost immediately to the right behind the door. On the left, the gap continued for about 25–30 centimeters without supports, creating the impression that the elf home stretched far into the wall.

"When my spouse and I sat in front of that opened door, it felt magical: I could almost sense the house elf moving in."

The following year, followers of the advent calendar were astonished when Riikka and her spouse opened another spot above the door, making room for a second floor in the elf’s home. They had also added a window to the first floor.

"That was the first time I really felt like all of this had always been inside the wall, and by following my intuition, we were simply unveiling the elf’s home floor by floor."

But how exactly does one build inside a wall?

"I’m lucky to have small, agile hands, because building in a 6 centimeter space inside the wall is only possible as far as my arms can reach. It’s challenging, but it adds to the magic."

After the second floor was added, construction halted for a few years because the children wanted a separate wooden elf cottage, which the Huttunen family built. A forest elf family moved in, and for a time, the advent calendar focused on decorating the new house—although the two-story elf door occasionally made an appearance.

"But last summer, I thought of adding another floor with a bay window, and I just had to make it happen. I wanted a 90s holiday vibe and decided to channel the Home Alone movies. I probably watched them around 50 times, snapping photos and taking notes about the house’s décor."

Riikka sought to copy the set details from the films as closely as possible. This new floor revealed many touches familiar to fans, like the famed alarm clock radio and bird ornaments on the fireplace. She also includes personal touches—here, they’re borzois in the paintings and pastries on a tiny table.

"Our children are older now, so they helped build this floor. My youngest is good at crafts and gave me a ton of ideas on how to recreate the movie details."

Riikka appreciates that her children have joined her in storytelling. The elf door was never a lie to them—it grew along with the family and has always been a shared story, full of the Christmas magic that means so much to Riikka.

This year the elf door is getting yet another new floor, but what does this entail?

"I came up with the idea in July—a clear picture of what else needed to be added. It isn’t purely Christmassy, but I believe it’ll surprise everyone following the calendar. It also connects to a movie and a travel destination we love, and there will be a grand finale."

The new floor was built in July. Riikka wired the lights in August, and had furnished it by September. She’s very particular about which miniatures make it through the door.

"Setting up the calendar requires careful work. I have to plan which details to add and when, so I don’t accidentally spoil anything. I take the photos in the fall, and in December, the calendar gradually unveils each part of the new floor."

Sometimes, the advent calendar even surprises its own creator.

"I don’t take the final photos until closer to Christmas, when there’s extra holiday magic in the air. I might end up adding last-minute touches I’m not even thinking of yet. Every Christmas and every advent calendar is unique, full of memorable, enchanting moments. It’s wonderful that I can still be surprised and touched by it all."