you filthy little elf. up next, are you worried about your job, your family, the holidays. >> relax. we'll tell you how to bring common balance to your life. >>> now on "today's woman" it's the worried woman's guide to calm. are you a worrier? do you get worked up over a mixed message from your boss or over something that hasn't even happened? here to help us get calm is diane salvatore, editor in chief of "prevention," and michelle callahan, psychologist and author of "ms. typed." >> people say i'm just a worrier by nature. so they think that there's nothing they can do about it. is there such thing as a worrier as opposed to something that just lets it go. >> most of us worry. what you want to do is transform worry into analytical thinking and action. the two as, if you will. when you worry, you're stuck. when you're thinking, you're problem solving. here's a great exercise. take a piece of paper. three columns. on the left, your worries. in the mid, the worst case scenario. on the right three or four thi

elf on the shelf is hidden. he will monitor us the next month to make sure we are good. >> they move when you leap and they go to houses allest world including television studios to watch out to see who is naughty and who is nice. >> we have to name this elf on the shelf because it is up to the children to name the elf so we want your submission on twitter and e-mail us. and o'reilly, i will low on the name duncan. >> as in dunkin' donuts. >> we will check back with the elf later. >> and now headlines, new details of the gunman who killed a police officer and killed himself at virginia tech this week. we know the 22-year-old was a part time business student in virginia at another university who stole a car the night before the shooting. his motive is unclear. police say he did not know the officer he gunned down. the 39-year-old officer was an army veteran and a married father of five. last night, students honored him with a candlelight vigil at the same memorial dedicated to the victims of the 2007 massacre at

♪ barry the brow-nosed elf ♪ ♪ the elf all the other elves hated so we put him into the bag ♪ ♪ where>> ho, ho, ho, ho. merry christmas! [ cheers and applause ] >> jay: i think that sends the wrong message to the young kids. >> rickey: yeah, it does. >> jay: well, as you know, tom hanks had a huge success with "the polar express." it was such a big hit and inspired our own gary busey. you know gary. >> rickey: yeah. >> jay: well, gary -- he took it upon himself to do his own version and i don't -- again, here are some clips. >> all aboard! come on, kids! you're wasting my time! >> well -- [ laughter ] are you coming? >> where? >> why, anywhere your little brain wants to go. this is the bi-polar express! [ laughter ] >> it's all about mood swings. one minute you're laughing, the next you're crying. and once you've ridden on the bi-polar express, your head will be as whacked out as mine. >> but -- but -- >> now that i told you what you're getting into, which of you kids wants to get off this wild ride? >> me! >> me! >> too late! >> whoo-hoo! [ train whistle ] [ cheers and applause ] >>

frost, on p.a.: tickets on sale now for the 6:00 elf toss.getting an extra 5% off, our already low prices. plus free shipping at target.com is the pain reliever orthopedic doctors recommend most for arthritis pain, think again. and take aleve. it's the one doctors recommend most for arthritis pain... two pills can last all day. ♪ where? it's really good. do you see it? it's called hope. hope? yeah, hope. i don't see any hope. i don't see any hope in here. you can't see it there, but you can see it here. 'cause every time you get a happy meal or a mighty kids meal some of the money goes to ronald mcdonald house charities to help lots of kids and families. hope's good! happy meals. the simple joy of helping. ♪ happy meals. the simple joy of helping. 1-2-3-4 ♪

. >> reporter: at 6'0", pete fontana is not your average elf. >> i'm the head elf. i report directly to santa claus. >> reporter: his workshop is in new york city's main post office, the headquarters for operation santa claus. >> i'm here to help santa open that mail and make sure that as many of these families and children get what they need for the holidays. >> reporter: these are some of the 2 million letters the new york post office expects to receive this year. they are sorted by zip code. and look who sits here. fontana's team of elves opens every letter and people who want to be santa's helpers go through the letters and choose. kim and jim found some so heart-breaking, they had to act. >> my mom works very hard but we never have enough money to buy gifts. >> very sweet. >> i want a barbie designable hair extensions and dolls. merry christmas. i love you. >> this is a way to give back and share some of the blessings. >> mm-hmm. >> reporter: the toys are wrapped and brought back to the post office so santa can deliver them on christmas eve. robert lighter has

this is elf sal. i'm elf jimmy. have a seat. >> i'm ironman. >> jimmy: ironman? i saw your movie.eet you. >> ironman? put your hand on the bible, please. on top. do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you god? >> yeah. >> okay, good. >> jimmy: have you been good this year? >> uh-huh. >> jimmy: tell me the good things you've done this year. >> i -- >> can i just talk to elf jimmy for a second? >> jimmy: yeah. >> i don't think this is ironman. >> jimmy: he says he is. >> i wasn't really -- >> jimmy: stand up here for a second. i want to feel your muscles to see if you really are ironman. oh. whoa. feel these guns. >> wow. >> jimmy: you're on steroids like the rest of the yankees. >> are you? >> yeah. >> jimmy: have you been very good this year? >> yeah. >> jimmy: both of you? >> yeah. >> jimmy: who has been more good? >> me. >> me. >> jimmy: oh. now, you say you. why do you say you? >> i put my hand up. >> jimmy: why do you say you have been more good? >> i would be more good. i stay in my bed and i would lay there. >> jimmy: okay. >> i

ffr á áshipppng.áweeve sent our own little elf out to fed ex this morring..usy they are... and look at some &pof the gifts being ent this . year.right now one of our lucky viiwees is choosing aa pift from underrour tree.we you're watching fox 44 good 3 [ male announcer ] are you paying more and more for cable and enjoying it less and less? stop paying for second best. upgrade to verizon fios and get tv, internet and phone for our best price online -- just $79.99 a month for two years with a 2 year agreement. it's an amazing holiday deal. but don't wait. it's only available for a limited time. so go to verizon.com/superoffer to sign up. act now and we'll add a special bonus -- $300 back. fios delivers the best picture quality, plus america's fastest, most consistent most reliable internet. spend the holidays saving money. just $79.99 a month for two years with a 2 year agreement when you order online. save $840 in your first two years. and don't forget your special bonus -- $300 back. hurry, offer ends soon. go to verizon.com/superoffer. contact the verizon ce

you may have heard of the "elf on the shelf." it is about an elf that hides every morning. there are limited quantities of these books. they have many other elves, small and large and all sizes. the nutcracker. they have some fancy ones. and the pickle. that is the last ornament you hang on a tree. we see a mild temperatures today. we have rain through tomorrow into thursday morning. that could come down as some snow. that is something we will be tracking. a good tradition, the pickle on the tree. >> have that at my house -- we have that at my house. >> a nightmare as millions of dollars worth of luxury automobiles crash on a highway. we >> perhaps one of the most car crashes in history played out in japan. some of these images demographic. ferraris were among the casualties in southwestern japan. the cards for on their way to an exotic car show when the chain reaction happen -- the cars were on their way. none of the drivers suffered serious injuries. >> casablanca -- largest mall in africa sits on 25 acres of land. 600 international brands are represented. it hasn't ice r

for the first time this year, you're also going to follow the jolly old elf on facebook.ven google plus. just search@norad santa. there are official norad santa apps. or drom him a line. 1-877-hi-norad will patch you there. >> modern technology. coming up, the police department desperate for donation ls. how you can help just ahead. >> and occupy protesters ordered out of wuchb of the last remaining camp sites in the baye we'll yllou if the protesters did what they were told or stood their ground.

our technology guru, becky worley, is going to play elf this morning, and give you some tips on how tor new tech toys. the tips coming up. >>> speaking of santa, the man of the moment is in the building, which is guaranteed to make these little people very happy. he's got one last surprise for them. look at them waving so good. you're going to want to stay tuned for that surprise coming up. >> but first let's head over to the news desk and get a check the other headlines and weather. >> and good morning, bianna and dan. good morning, everyone. merry christmas. >>> well, thousands of people are in st. peter's square square at the vatican this morning to hear pope benedict's annual christmas message to the world. the pope called for an end to the violence in syria and a resumption of israeli/palestinian peace talks. at last night's midnight mass, the pope lamented the commercialization of christmas. >>> the last combat troops to leave iraq arrived home in time for the holiday. family and friends were on hand at ft. hood in texas to welcome back the nearly 200 soldiers who arrived in the

. >> these are my elfs, let's go elfs. >> reporter: santa and the police team toured oakland looking for families with children instead of giving out tickets the officers passed out toys to girls and boys they met along the way. >> first i thought something was wrong. but then i saw santa and the police pulled us over. then they said that they were going to give us presents. >> you don't get pulled over by santa very often. >> the toys were donated by the police drill team. >>> flying is out, driving is in for holiday travelers this year. the company estimates 10 million californians will drive to their holiday destination out of 11.4 million travelers. it's an increase of 2.5% over last year. meanwhile aaa predicts air travel will drop 10%. >>> crews will begin stringing the first strand of cable on the new eastern span of the bay bridge next week. the nearly 1 mile long cable will be made up of thousands of individual steel wires. caltrans says it will release more details about the construction milestone on monday. >>> and for all intents and purposes the bay area weekend is upon

. >> he looks like a little elf! >> it's nerve-wracking. it's exciting. but it's also sad because we don't get to see them every day. but seeing them when you do makes it more special. >> once you get here, you just forget about all the crying and screaming and crackers all over the seat. >> looks like a little elf! about 43 million folks are expected to travel via area this season. >>> we had it nice for a while but it's apparently all over tonight. meteorologist annie is in the weather center where the temperatures are getting cold. >> it's not over! it is colder, that's for sure. we've got high pressure though in control and we definitely are feeling the difference in that air temperature. right now got high pressure, here's your satellite radar. it's fairly quiet. not in just mid-atlantic but the east coast. maybe a few snowshowers in southeastern mass, but overall it's going to be a quiet weekend. right now temperatures around downtown 46 degrees, gaithersburg colder at 39. win chester 43. all of us will get down into the 30s. now tonight, partly clo

ninety four stanley cup winner and nine hundred ninety two a limp dick champion and the sake of an elf has spent almost his entire career in the n.h.l. following eighteen seasons across the atlantic the thirty eight year old right wing signs at city year deal with moscow region's auckland's last summer but away from the club makes sure he has his talent to help future generations of players it's exciting for the kids because you always put yourself in a deposition when you're a child and they never had a chance to make you know how to just skate with with a summer superstar or whatever because of where. but they have the chance and a lot of a lot of player said by the commandant of the council to come through the practices and stay with the kids which is it's exciting for them and i know how they feel like i want to feel the same way helping out lots juniors is just one way and the sake of a gives back ache a twenty seven as he was loving it jobs in the n.h.l. has his own share it seen canada which helps kids with cardiac problems around the world heart trouble is something alex is jus

i was hoping you would tell me who will play the elf? that's not a bad one. >> i think santa should be honest and say because of george bush, golden sacks, only children in the 1% are getting presents this year. >> i like that. >>> bill, you said if you are going to lie to kids go full hilt? >> i don't recall saying that. >> you did. >> it is a christmas phrase and you wouldn't understand. >> i'm assuming you meant full tilt. >> you really don't deliver. >> as a kid you put up a dirty tube sock by the fireplace. if you had lived near greg you would have. >> i heard about his gift. >> it is part of his bmi. >> should fat people be a protected class 1234* as bill brought up, if it is okay for companies not to hire smokers which some are doing, why isn't it okay to not hire obese people. companiess use statistics why they are not hiring smokers. but can they do it for obese people. >> companies should hire people based on their ability to do the job. i don't think there -- it gets con -- confusing. >> you mentioned the gym here at news corp

>> more of the elf. >> okay when we come back, more elf, less mark. less mike -- >> i didn't say that. >> all right. do the whole thing. >> okay. >> all right. >> thanks. >> well, santa and helpers. they are part of the morning festivity. >> we saw santa for half of a second. >> a good day to go down and see santa and a helper. if you ask for a book, you will get immediate gratification. >> yes. free. >>> coming up -- ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, >>> we're looking at 44 degrees toward and 50 and 50. with a chance of rain on thursday. the temperatures go up into the low to mid-50s. >>> this week the nfl awarded 32 schools across the nation with a $10,000 grant for health and wellness programs. >> as mary bubala explains. one of the ravens favorite players gut to do the honors. >> reporter: these school childrenerize screaming their heads off for ray. today, he turned the attention to the students presenting them with a $10,000 gant. >> what is the look to connect with kids here today? >> it is amazing, because i'm a big kid at heart myself. so, getting to see the s

and remember people, elf meat does not taste like chicken. let's go to andy levy for a pre game report. what's coming up on tonight's show? >> our top story tonight, hbo releases a shocking trailer for game change. it is a movie about the 2008 presidential campaign. i would say -- did i say shock ?g i meant utterly unpredictable. and will koo ky e and racist letters doom ron paul's presidential campaign? some say yes, but others say shut up you israel loving faciass. and we will explain why you should pretend to care. that's coming up. greg? >> thank you, andy. >> happy solstice to you. >> how heliosentric of you. >> he is doing good. >> how is he? >> doing good. he is back for a couple weeks. >> for treatment? >> it is a long process. >> if you want to do it right and convince relative u.s. can't. >> you know who. >> i don't call him repulsive for kicks. >> no. >> u.s. have a great half time. >> thank you, sir. >> take care. >> you to. >> she is so hot she can cure a ham by staring at it. i am here with lori on her fourth hour of television.

>> is that the elf? >> email i got from a viewer, a nice one, a merry christmas hope you're having a great holiday. anyone ever told you, you look like the elf with rudolph? >> cindy lou who. >> forgot about that. >> and glenda the good witch. [ laughter ] >>> thank you. in the next half hour if you thought stores opening early on black friday were crazy, wait until you hear this. >> staying open for 83 hours for christmas. that's one store. tell you where it is coming up. >>> and saved by strangers. a girl trapped under a car. how it all started with an argument. >>> the port of oakland hoping to resume operations this morning at "occupy" protestors head home. we'll have the latest details for you coming up. >>> and plans for a new bike path on the bay bridge are under way but cyclists still may not be able to get into the city. the details on this new plan coming up. ,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

a drinking on the job, punching an elf, cursing at kids or telling a dirty joke.he answer is, telling a dirty joke. this is not a good performance tonight. >> i don't know. >> you don't know bad santa. >> i didn't see bad santa either. >> it's a wonderful life. >> billy bob thornton. >> i like christmas vacation. do you have one of those? >> mckellem already lost but you playing at home i am sure have gotten all of them right. >> the movie white christmas was a huge hit in 1954. ♪ i am dreaming of a white christmas ♪ ♪ just like the ones i used to know ♪ >> the film white christmas featured songs by irving berlin the author of many christmas songs. that is ironic because berlin was known for being what, a jewish, atheist, communist, secularist, what was berlin? he made a fortune writing christmas songs. cards up, please. a he is jewish. >> i knew he was jewish but -- >> i have a lot on my mind. >> look at this. >> it's like a baked potato. >> mick jagger gave it to her. >> merry christmas. >> the quiz continues in a moment with cameos by kathy ireland, how about t

it's called, appropriately, "the happy elf."me, here you are a movie star, a singer, a broadway star, we'll get to that in a moment and now the author of a children's book. what, are you going to run for politics next? >> that i won't do. >> you're drawing the line. what is it about you that makes you keep broadening, reaching out for new things? >> i think everything i do is based on the same sorts of creativity and inspiration. it's just sort of slight variations of it. this book, "the happy elf" is based on a song that i wrote which led to an nbc animated special which led to a workshop that we're going to try to get eventually on stage as a children's musical. so it's all kind of coming from the same place, it's just slightly different takes on things. >> it's a sweet story to read to your chipper aboldren about an s very happy until he discovers one town where everyone is naughty and not nice and he sets out to correct the situation. >> yeah. oh, that's a cue for me to tell you what it's about. yeah, it's really a fun story

>> i mastered a few other elf tasks like decorating.langes are loose, i think. of course, cleanup. >> don't you think the leaves and pine needles are part of the ambiance? >> i got to help with my first delivery. >> wait for me! before heading to the corner to try to bring in new customers. >> merry christmas. >> welcome to the romp's family christmas tree lot. the weather outside is frightful. i think they are scared of me right now, but they are warming up. merry christmas. >> thank you very much. >> then the moment of truth. >> something five feet. henry! the frasiers are the best. >> why? >> because they are full, the needles don't fall. this is a frasier. that's a douglas down there. not quite a sale, but it's really all about connecting with the clientele. merry christmas. >> merry christmas. >> merry christmas. >> wait a minute. you never made a sale? >> i almost did. the guy swore he was coming back. i'm still waiting on the corner of james and 8th. >> good thing you didn't quit your day job. >>> still to come, the right clothes

. >> dave: elf on a shelf. >> alisyn: elf on a shelf. >> dave: joined us.>> alisyn: he looks skeptical. >> clayton: i think he looks hungry. >> he's shady. >> alisyn: he is shady. >> dave: we need a name. and i'm going to dunkin d-u-n-k-i-n. dunkin', clayton and i keep them in business. >> clayton: and keep the elf on the shelf and keep an eye on us for the month. >> alisyn: it's a little creepy. let's get to the headlines and tell you what's happening. we have the details about this week's horrible shooting at virginia tech. tina krouse, the the wife of the police officer who was killed. and she says she she and her husband were exchanging loving text messages around 11:20 a.m. one hour before he was gunned down by a random shooter he didn't know. she says she desperately tried to reach him when she heard about the shooting, but got no response. tina and derrick has five children and describes him as her high school sweetheart and the love of her life. a disturbing and bizarre story out of chino hills, california. 39-year-old paul kim for allegedly beating

an elf or someone dressed like an elf will get the toy from your car window. >> thank you, jery.still to come here tonight the president signs a short term payroll tax cut extension. >> if it happens to me, it can happen to you. >> phone call this woman received that cost several thousand dollars, a new warning of an old scam. >> later our on the aisle review of war horse. it's a return to anotherera. stay with us. [ female announcer ] holiday plus cookies plus memories pillsbury holiday star cookies start with pillsbury cookie dough easy. then add my own favorite frosting and sprinkles. just three ingredients to sweet memories. holiday ideas made easy. mmm... pillsbury crescent wrapped brie just unroll, wrap the brie and bake. it's so easy. now this might even impress aunt martha. pillsbury crescent wrapped brie. holiday ideas made easy. you can see >>> political post you'ring on the payroll tax cut bill is over, for now. the president signed an extension approved early this morning. the deal just a week from the deadline and assures millions of americans will be keeping some of

our jolliest elf joins us live from the north pole. >> i did come prepared. he was able to squeeze us in. he gave us the exclusive interview and invitation to his hometown. north poll, population 2,226. 25 of whom don't come close to minimum height requirement ls. >> who you calling short? santa claus was gracious enough to take time out of his extremely busy schedule to give us an extended one-on-one interview. you can see why he's so busy. 150,000 wish lists have poured into the north pole post office this month alone. >> most kids want a bicycle. i don't know where you would ride it in the north pole today zblchltd that's on top of 2,000 to 3,000 live requests from kids who sit on his lap each eneafr da day. >> what do you want for christmas? >> an alarm clock. >> a justin bieber alarm clock. that's nice. >> what would you like? a typewriter. >> my first typewriter. i didn't know kids knew what they were. >> another thing santa was telling us, the ipad, the i-touch. this might surprise you, barbies and legos. kids are still asking for those. do we have a s

. >> juan: you'll be an elf. >> greg: how do you i know i'm not an elf already?an barely sit on this without four pillows. coming up, my favorite topic. pay are tax cut. is it good for the country or the opposite. not a good thing? bolling has a different take and he is whipping out the whiteboard next. also, i lost my pet ferret captain sparkles in a bar in milpitas. if you see it, e-mail us at thefive@foxnews.com. if you leave now, i'll cut you out of my will. ♪ ♪  ♪ ♪ >> eric: christmas, hawaii. i wish i could spend christmas in hawaii. by now you heard the news the payroll tax extension passed this afternoon. with that, the dems trying to frame the conversation as a victory for the left and defeat for the right. unfortunately, the real losers aren't democrats, aren't republicans, not even politicians. the real losers in all of this nonsense are our children. lost in the politics is the fact that payroll taxes are the life blood of social security, heightened behind partisan politics. the geniuses in d.c. are looting our retirement nest egg. rick perry one t

>> "elf." it is under rated.is funny es special lead -- especially the second and third time. >> the eye rolling thing i am sick of. only eye roll if you have a bug on it. don't go like this. >> tom? what say you? >> no 12 dogs of christmas on the list. >> they -- "it is a wound of life" -- it is a wonderful life" 9 but they liked potter. they are "forbes." the guy was just trying to make a buck. >> they saw it is a wonderful life as an attack on them. >> what is your choice? >> before i saw what their list was, die hard was my favorite. the rest i don't think i have seen. but don't get me started on my favorite kwanza movie. we will be here all night. >> bill, where was "love actually"? by the way, you joke. i am not. >> love actually should have been on there. i also think that batman returns. a lot of people forget -- it is a christmas movie. it was a relatively good sequel to the first michael keaton-vee. >> bad santa, bad santa. it is one of the greatest comedies of all time. >> i am going to be serious and

. >> i felt like an elf all day. this is what this man did for you. >> that is just wonderful. 45 degrees on tv hill. coming up, we'll look at one of your answers to our water cooler question of the day. >> the ravens will be without anquan boldin for a little bit. we will see the shot of a lifetime, one you do not want to miss. >> here is a look at last night's winning maryland lottery numbers. >> time to get to one of your answers to our water cooler question of the day. this morning we asked -- what are your holiday plans? good luck to you. you can share your response at wbaltv.com and on our facebook page, or send us an e-mail to watercooler@wbaltv.com. we will read more of your responses in the next hour and post all of them on the front page of our website, wbaltv.com. what are you ladies doing? >> i have to work. in and iet to sleep and will work the night. >> i will be in frederick and spend it with my family's house. >> my family is coming to my house and we will have a traditional polish holiday. >> they ge

. >> it makes me feel a little christmas elf. i get to deliver the good news. >> this makes you realize there are people in the community that care about others. >> when a miracle happens to you, you don't know what to think. >> reporter: christmas came early for a lot of shoppers. over 150 people were taken care of. is the money used up? i have to return this. >>> sundown marks the start of hanukkah. mayor stephanie rawlings-blake will join in the lighting of the giant men nor ra. a parade of cars will drive from park heights avenue. there will be live music and lots of hot drinks. >>> although it can be jolly this time of the year, it's one of the busiest times on the road. aaa is anticipating more than 800,000 calls for stranded motorists. so they put together some very helpful tips to bring your chances of a -- avoid your chances of a breakdown. check the antifreeze. lower temperatures means reduced tire inflation. check your tire pressure before you head out. make shower your battery is connected and free of corrosion. alway

it's santa, that's right. >> we were watching "elf" the other night.ood, too. >> remember what he said? i know him, i know him. >> back across to kath. >> look at this adorable girl from new orleans, hoda. true or false, sweetheart? thousands of children -- it might be a trick question, okay? thousands of children mail letters to santa claus each year. >> true? >> oh, it's more than thousands. sorry. but you're going to love my cd. >> i'm sure she will. how many more than thousands is it, santa? >> oh, hoda, millions. millions. in our belief campaign, children have written millions of letters to me at macy's. it's really wonderful because we help the children. >> yes, you do. by the way, hannah has skyped santa. we know there are more ways to get to santa than that. kathie lee, back across to you. >> lady lives in texas but she's from baton rouge. on the twelve days of christmas what did the singer's true love send on the sixth day? >> geese a laying. >> wow. impressive. >> six geese a laying. >> that's right. it's really only four days to go. four day

their christmas wish begins to come true right while they're sitting on the big old elf's lap. >> isat they're actually asking santa for, their dad to come home? >> 12-year-old alexia didn't ask santa for her dad to come home. because they thought it was too big a gift. instead she asked fr a kindle. this is sergeant first class daniel leonard. >> he's using his stealth army move to creeps up on them. >> he creeps up behind the girls and watch this -- they're so involved in what's going on with santa this he don't realize that santa suddenly grows two extra arms. and he's got his hands -- he's got his hands on their shoulders. >> but that's cool because -- >> that's awesome. >> the girls didn't realize that dad was right behind them. until somebody said, hey, girls, turn around and tell santa what you want. [ screaming ] >> they're like, you know what, forget you, santa. i don't care about you any more. >> they got their gift already. >> now they'll be able to save that picture from before, before he surprised them. they'll be able to save that, hang that up in their house, that will