christmas elf tradition!

[SpanishFly]

Just wanted to share this with anyone who doesn't know about it. It's the most wonderful thing to do for your kids. I believe it's quite a big thing in America.

OK, in advance you need to buy a toy elf or similar (ours is a snowman from B&Ms!).

On December 1st the elf arrives at your house with a letter from Santa. We always put up our tree on December 1st so one of us rings the doorbell while we're doing it and asks DS1 to answer it , to find the xmas snowman on the doorstep.

The letter says something along the lines of "dear X , my name is XX and I'm a xmas elf/snowman. Santa has asked me to stay with u till xmas eve and have fun with you! Yadda Yadda...." you could also mention something along the lines of the elf will be making sure you behave etc, altho I can never think of how to word that in a less terrifying way.

Anyway the elf then has 24 days to get up to mischief or do fun treats.

As an example , last year our snowman did the following (without DS1 seeing any of it being set up) -
When DS finished his homework one evening the snowman was waiting on the settee with a dvd and box of popcorn for him.
On xmas eve he was lying on DS's bed with new PJs for him to wear.
He laid out all the ingredients to do some baking.

However he often does naughty things like -
He was hanging on the xmas tree and had eaten one of the chocolate decorations.
He spilled (out of date) rice crispies on the floor.

I know it all sounds silly but it's the most fun ever. Last yr DS1 was 6 but he still believed every word of it. He screamed with excitement when he opened the door "HE'S COME TO STAY WITH US AGAIN!!" And he was so furious when he ate the decoration that he put him on time-out and shouted at him. And he regularly sat and stared at it to try to catch it in the act! Me and Dh had loads of fun thinking of things to do without being caught. It's brilliant :)

[LadyInPink]

I do this too with a Mrs Christmas toy. DD is 8 this year and so I probably won't be able to do it for much longer

[SpanishFly]

If your DS is like mine he'll be determined to believe for as long as possible. My DS1 is so analytical about things but just doesn't question Santa or the tooth fairy or xmas elf. Bizarre!

[PicklesThePottyMouthedParrot]

What a good idea! Ds is 18 months do he would probably just injure the elf but will try and remember this one.

[seabuckthorn]

Oh I want to do this but my eldest will only be 2 1/2. Oh next year is too far away!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Lady my DC will be 13 and 10.6 at Christmas and we still do Christmas Elf

We have a write on/wipe off board with squares and dates.
I hide my Elf (start off easy hiding places and get more difficult by the school holidays). Elf has a rucksack to hold a couple of sweets.

but they carry on with all the fun stuff ,especially if it involves sweets.


The Elf has to vanish on Christmas Eve to grass the children up let FC know how good they've been.

[SpanishFly]

Ah yes, Santa collects the elf when he's in the house on xmas eve!

[BonkeyMollocks]

We do this.

Mr Alfie Elf had his first year with us last year.
Ds loved it as did I .

Alfie jumps on Santa's sleigh on Xmas eve to help santa with his deliveries!

[PicklesThePottyMouthedParrot]

I wouldnt want this elf to stay over christmas!

Cheeky Elf

[ILoveChristmas01]

I love this idea - I absolutely love christmas!

My DS will be 2 and half this year - do you think he'll be too young to understand?

[SpanishFly]

I think he'd understand that Santa sent him and that he was here to have fun. Not sure if the mischief might be too much for a 2yo to understand though?

[PicklesThePottyMouthedParrot]

Have you got any tips about where to get a nice Elf from?

[WinBags]

Have a look on amazon. There is an elf and book that comes with it. My friend is from the states and it is a tradition she bought over. DD was only just 2 last Xmas, so hoping she gets it abit more this year. You keep changing the places he sits-plants, top of mirror, tv etc. it worked really well as the book explains they have to be good or the elf will tell Santa!

[SpanishFly]

Yep, half the fun is moving the elf without the kids seeing. It really is hilarious at times. :)

It doesn't have to b an elf. Actually I couldn't find anything close for a decent price. Anything wintry or xmassy is fine. We have a nice smiley snowman from B&Ms that cost 4 quid. The main thing is that Santa sent him and that he has a name (so he's more lifelike).

Last year in B&Ms they were selling the same snowman again so I had to steer DS1 away from that aisle so he didnt see a shelf full of them!

[SpanishFly]

Oh I meant to say, my friend uses a leprechaun toy that looks just like an elf :)

[BonkeyMollocks]

I have this elf.

Bit pricey but he's a cutie! I sewed bells on his toes and on his hat.

Love him, hang on I have pics!

[PicklesThePottyMouthedParrot]

I deffo need to have an elf. I've decided to get one and practise on dp this year.

I'm normally a mean spirited potty mouthed grump but I loves a bit of Christmas

[BonkeyMollocks]

Elf on Donkey and elf on lego chair with table pics on my profile

[PicklesThePottyMouthedParrot]

Yay! I'll have a look tomorrow on my phone. My dp is such a sooky he will love it!

[WinBags]

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B000XR6MBQ/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1345497296&sr=8-1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

Elf in a shelf!

No idea how to link

[PicklesThePottyMouthedParrot]

Bonkey I just looked at your photos, thats so cute, is he the one that comes with elf on the shelf?

[hoops997]

What a fabulous idea, DS is going to be 2.8 this Christmas so will do the elf arriving, maybe all the fun stuff will kick in next year, am excited at all the fun stuff

[BonkeyMollocks]

Yes he's a official elf on the shelf.

Quite pricey though, and we don't use the book, I thought some bits were abit .

He did all sorts, hid in the tree, made elf sized cookies, built a huge wooden train track in the living room, had a teddy picnic, played super heros with batman, drank mummy's wine ....

Its fun!

[crissyboo]

I love this....my elf has just arrived today, I ordered him from ebay www.ebay.co.uk/itm/14-Aurora-Rag-Doll-XMAS-ELF-BOY-CHRISTMAS-Soft-Toy-NEW-/271042958398?_trksid=p5197.m1992&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D14%26meid%3D3600921788042108554%26pid%3D100015%26prg%3D1006%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D271042958398%26 he is too cute and I can't wait for 1st December to introduce him to my (already over excited) 4 ½ year old.
My hubby does not get it and does not really ?do? Christmas but this year I intend to make it as magical as I can for my boy :)

I have a few ideas of tricks and treats for our elf to get up to so just cant wait to get things going :)