How did the Elf gain so much traction so quickly?

[BecomeStronger]

And where did he come from?

My DSs are 19 and 17, I swear it wasn't a thing at all during their childhoods.

Why have parents done this to themselves? Or does everyone who does it love it?

It seems to have started about 7 years ago. I'm so glad I never started it. Seems like such a pain in the arse and I've already got enough on my plate!

It wasn’t a thing until recently. DS is 26 and it was unheard of when he was little. DH and I have done a rude version of the Elf in the last couple of years for our own amusement but it’s not exactly a Christmas tradition.

Social media. My parents didn’t have Instagram to put the pictures on or see celebrities/Mummy bloggers doing it.

My kids have never really shown much interest in it, thank God! I think my son asked me once why we didn't have it so I told him that he only visits the houses with naughty children in it. That satisfied him.

Social media

It's been around for about 15 years. I'm amazed it's still as popular as it is after so many years.

It’s a sore subject on MN.
I agree with a PP who said it’s been about 7 years (give or take).

We’ve never done it. I am the first to admit I’m not creative enough and I don’t want to start it knowing I’ll probably give up half way through December! I know some people just move it or something daft but to me that’s pointless - if I was going to do it I’d want to do it right. I have enough to do and to think about without worrying about an elf.

Do I feel guilty about it? Yes I do. I feel bad that my children hear all their friends talking about their elf but that they don’t have one but I just won’t get involved. Christmas is so so magical for children as it is and it was for me as a child too without an elf so I try and remember that.

A big part of it is showing off I think and I know that’s an unpopular opinion but it’s what I think. If social media didn’t exist I don’t think half the people doing it would do it. If they love it so much why all the ‘oh haha now is the time to tell the kids the elf can’t come this year because of Covid’ etc.

Elf on the shelf didn't really hit UK until 2013ish. My kids are 14 and 17 and it wasn't a thing when they were young

It seemed like a fun thing to do at the time #makingmemories etc. It's become an extra stress to add onto December leading up to Xmas for me. Bloody elf, the kids love it though.

Social media. Ours always gets lost on the way here so he doesn't turn up until the 21st, it's a couple of days fun for the kids

Guerilla style marketing by the women who invented it

Didn't somebody write a best-selling children's book about it a few years ago? And then, in thousands of households across the world, there ensued a lightbulb moment similar to the scene in The Simpsons (I forget the episode):

Homer: "Hey, Marge - I just had a brilliant idea!"
Marge: "You didn't, did you, Homer - you just saw it on the television!"

And it spread from thereon like wildfire and was suddenly a well-loved family tradition going back as far anybody alive could remember.
See also: Black Friday in the UK.

Guerilla style marketing by the women who invented it

Hmmmmm, would they perchance be the same women who wrote the book that became a surprise bestseller....?

DS is 5. HE has banned Elf from the house because he comes alive at night. He's not normally a sensible child but he seemingly has good survive a horror movie instincts aka don't keep the things that come alive at night.

Toy Story toys are allowed downstairs cos he's watched the movies and knows they're good.