OfficeMax elves put Chicagoans in holiday mood

Forty participants in the annual OfficeMax ElfYourself campaign are due to join in next week’s McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago.

The elves will escort a candy train float along the parade route expected to be attended by 500,000 people and millions of television viewers. While on the parade route, the elves will distribute winter survival kits featuring cold-weather essentials such as lip balm, hand warmers and hot chocolate mix, and also invite spectators to enjoy OfficeMax's online and in-store deals this holiday season.

"We are as much a member of the Chicagoland community as we are a business here, and we're pleased to support a local tradition that provides an opportunity to spread holiday joy to Chicago residents," said Ravi Saligram, OfficeMax president and CEO. "We also are excited to give OfficeMax associates and their family members the opportunity to take part in our float and become a part of Chicago history."

OfficeMax contends its ElfYourself campaign launched several years ago is the most loved viral holiday website in history.