Elisa lives in a Finnish forest community shared with elves, called tonttu, and various mythological beings. As the granddaughter of Santa Claus's butler, she belongs to the extended household of Joulupukki and Muori. Her days center on adventures alongside a close-knit group of elf children: Erkki, Mauri, Kaarina, Pertti, Lasse, and Viktori. Elisa frequently leads or actively joins their explorations and experiences within the forest.

Visually, she wears a pointed red hat like other children in her community, complemented by permanent blush stickers on her cheeks that emphasize her youthful innocence and cheerful demeanor. Her personality reflects a spirited, adventurous child, marked by curiosity and playfulness during interactions with friends and forest inhabitants. These adventures sometimes incorporate seasonal themes, such as aiding the elf community in Christmas preparations.

Family dynamics influence her background; her grandfather, Santa's butler, exhibits a stern disposition contrasting with Elisa's positive outlook. International adaptations occasionally reframe her as Santa's granddaughter, though this stems from dub alterations rather than core character details. Elisa's background, relationships, and role remain consistent throughout the original 23-episode series. Subsequent official media, including the compiled movies "A Christmas Adventure" and "Christmas Reindeer Tales," present condensed existing episodes without introducing new character development or backstory.