Everyone knows there is no way Santa could make all those toys by himself.  Producing enough toys for every good boy and girl in the world in just one year is a tall order.  In the United States today, we know that Santa Claus is assisted at his North Pole workshop by magical elves.  And who better for him to call upon for help than an elfin artisan? 
 
When Santa first became popular in the United States, people knew nothing of his North Pole workshop.  The publication of the Clement Clarke Moore's poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" (better known today as "The Night Before Christmas") in the Troy, New York, Sentinel on December 23, 1823, led to the rise in his popularity.  Moore described him as a "right jolly old elf" and mentioned his flying reindeer, but the North Pole workshop and magical elves were not referenced.  (http://www.history.com/content/christmas/history-of-santa/twas-the-night-before-christmas)
 
It was in 1862 that political cartoonist Thomas Nast first illustrated Santa Claus as a rotund, grandfatherly man, closer to our Santa of today than the taller and thinner version of Saint Nicholas traditionally depicted wearing bishops' robes.  Nast's Santa appeared on the cover of Harpers Weekly as a kindly, somewhat elf-like, over-nourished gentleman.  (http://cartoons.osu.edu/nast/santa_camp.htm)  It was not until 1881 that Nast went on to illustrate the red and white clad jolly elfin icon we still to this day call Santa Claus.  (http://www.history.com/content/christmas/history-of-santa/twas-the-night-before-christmas)  He likely drew upon his native German tradition of Saint Nicholas, a fourth century bishop known for his kindness and generosity who was celebrated by a day of gift giving, and other German folk traditions of elves to create the image.  (http://cartoons.osu.edu/nast/santa_camp.htm)  Perhaps it was drawing upon these same traditions that led Nast to further elaborate upon the Santa story, adding his bright red suit trimmed with white fur, his North Pole workshop, magical elves, and his wife, Mrs. Claus.  (http://www.history.com/content/christmas/history-of-santa/twas-the-night-before-christmas) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus) 
 
But according to that American Christmas tradition, every toy is hand-made by Santa and his elves, each a special gift individually selected for every boy and girl.  Whether it is Santa's elf-made toys in the United States, colorful, candy-filled pinatas for Three Kings Day in Mexico, or another traditional holiday celebration, it seems fitting that special times are often paired with specially made goods.  The care and attention that skilled artisans devote to their work brings significance to their creations -- a difference that adds depth to celebrations. 
 
Whether looking to create your own artisanal works or purchase others' for holiday celebrations, there are many resources available online.  For works by others, communal marketplaces such as Etsy.com and Indiefixxgalleria.com offer a large selection of a broad range of items.  For creating works of your own, individually or with family, there are lots of projects with excellent instructions at MarthaStewart.com/photogallery/holiday-crafts-for-kids and FamilyFun.go.com/crafts/.  For toy stores with extra special artisanal goods, great selections are available at MaharDrygoods.com and KidBean.com.