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Original poster

To have mega mum guilt

138 replies

Crouchingdragonhiddentiger · 30/11/2024 22:58

…over not doing elf on the shelf?!

I’ve seen so many Facebook and instagram posts tonight of this huge set ups - balloons, sweets, gifts and the elves, all making this huge thing on 1st December.

I’ve bought my 6 year old DS an advent calendar from Aldi and that’s it! I feel so tight now.

We are going round to a friends house tomorrow, who does it for her son, I have no idea what to say if mine starts asking why we don’t - because most parents seem to say “the elves won’t come if you’ve been naughty” I don’t want him to think he has been or doesn’t deserve it in some way.

OP posts:
EvilsElsasPetSnowman · 30/11/2024 23:22

Don’t sweat it, it’s tedious and pointless and too many do it for Instagram and not for their kids.

Just tell your son after that parents set it up for the kids or you don’t need to do that because Santa knows he’s always so well behaved

spoonfulofsugar1 · 30/11/2024 23:09

Take everything you see on Facebook and Instagram with a huge pinch of salt...
So much on there is hollow and for show. Mine are young and just have advent calendars to open tomorrow.

livanlaterlaterlater · 30/11/2024 23:05

An advent calendar is absolutely fine. Elf on a shelf is ridiculous and weird!

Vivi0 · 30/11/2024 23:04

I was seriously considering doing it this year. Tonight, I’m seriously relieved that I didn’t.

BruisedNeckMeat · 30/11/2024 23:04

I have never done it. Believe me, you will be relieved that you never signed up for all that nonsense. Once you start it you have to do it year after year.

Like everything, advent has become all about commercialised crap and outdoing each other on social media. This is not what Christmas should be about.

An advent calendar from Aldi is perfectly lovely. If you can, make tomorrow special with a walk in the cold, hot chocolate and a Christmas film.

OrangeSlices998 · 30/11/2024 23:04

I think I’d probably say you have to invite the elf to come, and they make such big messes you didn’t invite him? Or something like that?

My eldest is almost 5, I don’t know anyone who does it in real life and we have no intention of introducing it! Ever!

buybuysellsell · 30/11/2024 23:04

What is elf on a shelf? I've never heard of it so it's safe to assume we won't be doing it, haha.

An advent calendar is plenty, they don't need more than that to be excited about Christmas.

catsnore · 30/11/2024 23:02

Stick to your guns.

Tell the kids you don't believe in the enslavement of house elves 😂

Didimum · 30/11/2024 23:02

Never done it. Never will.

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 30/11/2024 23:01

No way
I'm not doing it either and I'm glad!

StillSeekingResponsibleAdult · 30/11/2024 23:01

We've never done it and my kids don't seem to be traumatised. Elf seems to be more for parents showing off on insta, rather than a thing for the kids

If they ever asked about it (which they haven't), I'd say they're so good they don't need an elf to keep an eye on them.

Rainallnight · 30/11/2024 23:01

It’s absolute nonsense. Who needs that on their lives?

sprigatito · 30/11/2024 23:00

Elf on the Shelf is creepy and unhealthy. Give yourself a pat on the back for swerving the dead-eyed snitching little fucker.

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