What is this elf on a shelf all about?

[RudolphLovesoftplay]

I keep seeing Elf on a Shelf being discussed, but what is it? I love Christmas traditions so if its something I can do each year, I'm in

[chezchaos]

I've seen this and keep meaning to make one. From what I remember the elf arrives on 1 Dec with a note, then comes alive each night for mischief which the children find each morning - like making snow angels in icing sugar. The elf goes back to the North Pole to help Santa on 24 Dec.

[RudolphLovesoftplay]

Is it an actual elf? Where do you get it from? Sounds fun, my boys will like hunting for it each morning

[crazykat]

My DCs would love that. Where can I get one and what do you write on the note?

[PotteringAlong]

www.elfontheshelf.com/

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Elf on The Shelf - A Christmas Tradition.

The real EonS is quite a scary looking character (IMO) but he arrives at your house with his Book.
You name him. Then tell your DC that for the duration of Dec 1st till Christmas Eve, he'll hide round the house and they have to find him.
He keeps a close eye on the DC and grasses them up reports to Father Christmas when he goes back to the North Pole.

He does nauty or nice things.

"Elf Pee" (green food colour) in the toilet.
Rice Crispies sprinkled on the floor
Sweet wrappers.

Nice things like a mug of hot chocolate left out for the DC or a letter.
You can do as much or as little as you like.

I made my own Elf (because I'm very mean and tight wad-ey) . First year a Dr Who doll. Next time an A Team doll.
Green and red felt to sew a tunic, trousers , hat, booties.

A little bag for a couple of sweets. I hid him round getting more tricky with the hiding places as December went by.

It's a lovely tradition, for young DC it's really sweet.
Mine are 11 and 13.6 . Elf seems to be a bit more like "Chuckie"

[MadeOfStarDust]

it is from a book written in 2004/5 - not a long standing tradition.....seems a bit odd to me, the "elf " itself is creepy, and when we read the book the kids did not want to do it "What if we touched it accidentally- the Christmas magic would disappear....."

[seventhchild]

hee hee

articlesofabsurdity.com/2012/12/06/elf-on-the-shelf-amongst-other-things/elf-on-the-shelf-009/

[chirpchirp]

It's a creepy little doll that looks like it wants to kill you in your sleep. I'm all for Christmas and traditions but seriously, haven't we all got enough to do in December!

[rockybalboa]

We got one last year, it was fucking genius. The story explains that the elf knows if the child is being naughty even if not at home and reports back to Santa every night. Never seen such good behaviour from DS1, I'd get the elf out now if it didn't mean more having to shoot out of bed in the middle of the night to move the elf because I forgot to do it before going to bed.

[HairyPorter]

seventhchildthat is funny! DS will be 2.9 this Xmas and we've not had any Xmas traditions so far (DH never celebrated Xmas). This is definitely one I'm adopting! First Xmas I've been excited about in a long time- have already started using Santa as bribery to get DS to brush his teeth and not squash his sister (1yo).

[cambridgemum2]

Just got mine from www.theelfcompany.com..very excited! x

[ElfontheShelfIsWATCHINGYOUTOO]

Torn as to whether to do this or not. The idea is growing on me, as is the christmas hamper when only two weeks ago I was aghast at the extra work people give themselves