What if you are NOT doing elf on the shelf?

[PesoPenguin]

Ds is 5.5 and incredibly cynical, I think he's teetering on the edge of believing at all he doesn't believe that toys come to life in a Toy Story way and I just asked him if he thought that if Santa sent him a toy elf it would come to life at night and he said, "don't be silly." However, a lot of the other mums from school are already discussing their elf on the shelfs this year and I'm not sure how to deal with ds if he asks about them. I don't want to potentially spoil it for others by saying it's not true but I know he wouldn't believe in it if he saw it.

[m0therofdragons]

I ignore it. I love Christmas and all things magical but have an irrational hatred for elf on a shelf and competitive mums who try to be the most creative and post on fb. I know they are having fun, but it winds me up. Not sure why.

[fillie]

There is no evidence to show that these things are true. But - It's true and real if you believe it's true and real. Your belief makes it real.
That is what I tell my daughter about mermaids, fairies, Father Christmas etc. She believes.
Also you as the parent can create the belief, sit your elf in convincing and sometimes naughty places - in the fridge eating your choc, riding on you child's favourite toy. Tell the story, sell it!
Or just skip that particular custom! Tell your child, some people believe the elves come to life.

[AmeliaPeabody]

I don't know of anybody who does do Elf on the Shelf. Those who have actually heard of it don't /wouldn't do it.
I'm of similar opinion to motherofdragons in that I like most things Christmas but have a dislike of elf on shelf.

[stargirl1701]

Kindness Elves from the imagination tree website.

[PesoPenguin]

But it seems silly to try to force him to believe something that essentially isn't true. I think he'd be more likely to believe that an unseen elf had created the magic so maybe if he starts to ask, I'll create a little magic and claim some elves have been to visit. I don't want to shatter the whole illusion by going too far.

[PesoPenguin]

I didn't til this year Amelia but they're all doing it this year!

Thanks stargirl I'll have a look.

[MildDrPepperAddiction]

We don't do elf on the shelf. We've always told DCs that the robins watch your behaviour and fly back and report to santa.

[bogiesaremyonlyfriend]

If you don't want him to feel left out have a look at those kindness elves in pp they look fab and don't have to say its 'real' I'm teetering on the edge of trying it so we could be in it together!!

[PesoPenguin]

Maybe! If we don't claim they're real tiny people!

[financialwizard]

Wtf is an elf on the shelf?

[PesoPenguin]

It's a toy elf which comes to 'visit' at Christmas time and 'comes to life' at night and does silly things...

[bigTillyMint]

OP, my DS wouldn't have fallen for Elf on the Shelf either, but he would have loved the fun of it and looking for it every day and knowing that it wasn't really coming to life but was a bit of fun IYSWIM. Only I never did Elf on the Shelf I think it only started later.

[elbett]

Ahh, love the idea of the robins reporting back to Father Christmas

[Boomtownsurprise]

Turn it round. There's two types (well more but this does for this at least...) of people; 1) magic believers 2) magic makers if he doesn't want to believe, fine, great! Have fun with him creating for dad, nan, brothers, friends etc

Magic is basically nice stuff happening and you're not sure how. Have some fun with that

[CorporateRockWhore]

Elf on a shelf is a creepy little bastard. Just don't do it.

[dorasee]

Mensch on a Bench...themenschonabench.com/

[Heels99]

My dd saw an elf at a friends house and was told the elf reports back to santa to say how well behaved the children are. please do not let us have an elf! Said my dd.
some people like them but they are also regarded as a bit naff and tasteless.

[CorporateRockWhore]

They just bug me in the same way that people say to their kids 'behave or the policeman will come and get you' or similar. Don't scare them into behaving well!

[ZeViteVitchofCwismas]

I told mine sometimes the elf comes to check out the children to make sure FC knows what to get them for xmas as after all he gets things OFF list...

so tell son, they dont come to everyone but to some children they do and he might coem to him, but not all children.

[StetsonsAreCool]

We don't have an elf on the shelf, but we are borrowing a new custom this year from my best friend (not from UK), where the elves come an check on you every day and you get a small present (playmobil figure, choc coin, little keyring etc) in a stocking if you've deserved it. You never see the elves, so they could come at any minute and you won't know they're there.

We're going to try not to link it to 'being permanently good', rather having done some thing to deserve it. So even if DD has a monstrous day, she might redeem it by tidying up or doing a chore or being kind to someone at the park, or remembering her manners or something like that instead.

[PesoPenguin]

Ah I like the idea of the elves coming to see what to buy children. Ds is getting one massive present from santa plus a stocking this year so there's no need for an elf to come and find out what he wants

[Ilikepie]

When did Elf on the Shelf 'happen'? I mean it must be a new concept, i've only ever heard of it on here, never in RL. It seems particularly cheesy and naff; surely the best magic is all mysterious and unseen, and slightly hard to understand.....

I like the robins idea though.

[dementedma]

Elf on the shelf seems to be MN thing. Don't know a soul in RL who does it.

[PesoPenguin]

Maybe the mums from school are on mn... [ waves ]

[LokiBear]

I font do the elf in the shelf either. However, all you need to do if your song brings his friends elves up is say 'really? That's nice' and move on. I try not to use santa coming as a motivation to be good because I know that I would never cancel Christmas so try not to make empty threats!