House elves are known around Europe, Britain, and Scotland, for their dedication to housework and maintaining a clean environment. People and pets can be very messy, and that can lead to clashes with a house elf (who has far better uses for magic besides helping someone rude or thoughtless). That stated, many house elves have fostered a helpful, symbiotic, relationship with their humans and if you think you are worthy, you might also be able to attract one into your home. That is - if the magickal elves deem you to be a worthy housemate for them!
House Elves From Different Cultures:
European Household Spirits called "Hob" (short for Hobgoblin)
If you desire child-sized faeries to iron mountains of your clothes, while you sleep at night, then also ponder this English witchy reality: "These creatures favour cream and have to be appeased by constant offerings of it or they can start to behave like poltergeists!" [Source: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/learn/histories/journey-into-witchcraft-beliefs/]
Hobs might help you with dusting and ironing but, just like all the other house elves known to people, they're also known to play practical jokes. Some say the Brownie (who is next on our list of house spirits) might be a little more amicable. That's because (according to my resources) Brownies are less likely to cause household mayhem. Meanwhile, all you'd have to pay either a Hob or a Brownie for all their domestic labor is offerings of cream and possibly food.
The Brownie from Britain and Scotland:
The "Brownie" is a nocturnal sprite who, just like the Hob, would perform household chores in exchange for small offerings like milk or cream. However, Brownies are widely known for expecting certain courtesies. Displease a brownie, and you might find your chores mysteriously undone or your milk soured!
Respectful Coexistence: Similar to other house spirits, Brownies appreciate your respect and cleanliness. Keeping your home tidy might be a good first step toward attracting one to live with you! Nobody, not even a house elf, wants to live with a slob.
Offerings: Leaving a small offering of cream, milk, honey, or bread at night in a designated spot is a common tradition. This could be on a hearth, windowsill, or near the oven.
Kindness and Work Ethic: Brownies are known for their helpfulness, especially with chores. Leaving unfinished tasks like churning butter or sweeping the floor might entice them to lend a hand.
Germany's Kobolds
Germany's Kobolds are temperamental creatures who could either be helpful or harmful and not just depending on the treatment they receive. Many Kobolds live in mines, in households, or aboard ships. They are fairly diverse, and range in personality from helpful House Fey to cruel trickster.
A specific legend from Perleberg, Germany, suggests that on St. John's Day (June 24th) between noon and one o'clock, you could visit the forest and find an anthill with a bird on it. Supposedly, uttering a specific phrase (which folklore doesn't record) would transform the bird into a Kobold that you can take home with you. I've searched the Internet far and wide and have been unable to locate any such a phrase. Perhaps the Kobolld cast a spell to hide such magical chantings!
France's Lutins
French tales speak of the goblin they call "lutin" (pronounced "Loo-tah"). It's a male sprite who could bring you very good or very bad (fatal) luck. The lutin love animals and when they live on a ranch all the horse manes and tails will be braided! Offerings of milk or bread were believed to appease these powerful spirits. While I could not find information on how to attract a Lutin into your home or apartment, there are plenty of articles online for how to get rid of one after you've really pissed one off!
A legend named "Le Lutin" tells how "Seven little boys, regardless of the warnings of their old grandmother, would go out at night on various affairs. As they went along a pretty little black horse came up to them, and they all were induced to mount on his back. When they met any of their playmates they invited them also to mount, and the back of the little horse, stretched so that at last he had on him not less than thirty little boys. He then made with all speed for the sea, and plunging into it with them they were all drowned." (Very bad luck, indeed!)
While there's no guaranteed way to attract a Brownie into your home, keeping your house clean, leaving offerings of cream, milk, or honey, and avoiding loud arguments might create a more inviting environment for one.
Eastern Europe's and Slavic Domovoi
The Domovoi is a house spirit who embodies the spirit of the dwelling itself. The Domovoi could be benevolent or grumpy, depending on how the family treats their home.
Domovoi (as with other house elves) is believed to be particular about cleanliness and respect. Keeping your house clean and tidy is seen as a way to appease them. The Domovoi is famous as a protective house spirit. While there aren't specific "attraction" methods, keeping your house clean and leaving offerings of food like milk, bread, or porridge in a designated spot is seen as a way to appease them.
* Acknowledgment: Some lucky enough to live with a house elf suggest that a simple greeting or acknowledgment to the Domovoi when entering or leaving the house is important. This might be a quiet "hello" or "goodbye" to show respect for their presence. *
Scandinavian Tomte or Nisse
Similar to the Domovoi, Tomte are Scandinavian house spirits known for bringing good luck. Leaving offerings of porridge with butter, milk, or rye bread on a windowsill or near the fireplace is a traditional way to show respect and potentially encourage them to stay. https://scandinavianshoppe.com/history-of-the-tomte/ offers more information.
Another resource: "The Tomte is a short (three feet or so) elderly man of unpredictable disposition, attired in grey woolen clothes and wearing a red cap."
Scandinavia boasts of two types of house elves: the Tomte (Swedish), or Nisse (Norwegian). In either reference, they're friendly spirits associated with the hearth and bringing good fortune to the household. Leaving out a bowl of porridge on Christmas Eve was a common practice to keep Tomte and Nisse happy. Far more than washing dishes, Tomte and Nisse were often seen as guardians, protectors from misfortune, and sometimes even providers of good luck! Meanwhile, they could also be mischievous tricksters, hiding objects or causing minor disturbances if neglected or offended. (So, if you ever get lucky enough to attract a Magical house elf into your home, mind your manners!) Be kind because *NICE* matters!
How to Attract Any House Elf:
Offerings: Leave small offerings. Traditional offerings include porridge with butter, milk, cream, or some say a small piece of rye bread will do. You can leave the food offering in a designated spot each night, like on a windowsill or near the fireplace.
Not all house elves practice good personal hygiene but the Tomte and Nisse do! If you leave out a small, soft brush, your house elf will enjoy caring for himself and his space.
Respectful Treatment: Keep your home clean and tidy. House elves are known to be hardworking and appreciate a well-maintained living space. While they will help you with small chores - they will not tolerate rudeness or a hoarder mess.
Kindness and Harmony: House-elves are believed to thrive in positive environments. So avoid loud arguments or negativity in the home. A peaceful and respectful atmosphere will be much more inviting to them!
To read more on the nature of house elves, consider: Ingebretsens blog, "Legend of the Nisse and Tomte
