“Why was Santa’s little helper depressed?”/“Because he had low elf esteem.”

A Christmas riddle is:
 
Q: Why was Santa’s little helper depressed?
A: Because he had low elf esteem.
 
The low “elf” esteem pun (on “self” esteem) has been cited in print since at least 1994.
 
             
23 December 1994, Edmonton (Alberta) Journal, “Stocking stuffers,” pg. A1:
Santa’s sack of jokes:
Why is Santa so despondent this year?
Because he has been suffering from low elf-esteem.
 
15 December 1995, Alexandria (LA) Daily Town Talk, “Mighty Funny’s Mini Jokes,” The Mini Page, pg. 4, col. 3:
Q: Why was Santa’s little helper depressed?
A: He had low elf esteem!
(Sent in by Sharon Ferrante)
 
Google Books
The Craziest Riddle Book in the World
By Lori Miller Fox
Illustrations by Sandy Hoffman
New York, NY: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc.
2004
Pg. 12:
Why was Santa’s Little Helper depressed?
He had low elf-esteem.
 
Twitter
Shawn Brandow‏
@mgkbull
Q. Why was Santa’s little helper depressed? A. Because he had low ELF esteem.
4:57 PM - 28 Oct 2007
     
Google Books
The Everything Big Book of Jokes
By Evan C. Thomas
Avon, MA: Adams Media
2014
Pg. 100:
WHY WAS SANTA’S LITTLE HELPER depressed? Because the poor fella had low elf esteem.
 
Google Books
Christmas Elf Jokes For Kids
By Peter Crumpton
PeteyRF Creative
2015
Pg. ?:
Why did Santa’s helper see the doctor?
Because he had low “elf” esteem!
   
Google Books
Have You Heard the One About . . .:
More Than 500 Side-Splitting Jokes!
By Justin Sedgwick
New York, NY: Skyhorse Publishing
2017
Pg. ?:
Why is Santa’s little helper depressed?
Because he has low elf esteem.
 
MzTeachuh
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
Cheesy Jokes and Serious Thoughts for Christmas
(...)
Question: Why was Santa’s little helper depressed?
Because he had low elf esteem.