Oh dear god, the elf. Please tell me what to do

[TimeForBedSaidZebadee]

I'm a foster carer and for the last ten years have only looked after older teenagers.
A couple of weeks ago I agreed, in a moment of madness to look after a seven year old.
Yesterday she asked me if "the elf" came to our house at Christmas. Crap, this is why I look after teenagers.
Cookies, carrots and milk,
Snow shoe prints on the stairs
Tinkling bells outside the window at bedtime. Remember all that from many years ago when mine were young.
But the elf, I am clueless. Please tell me what they do and why we have them.

i think she might be talking about an Elf on the Shelf. https://www.johnlewis.com/the-elf-on-the-shelf-book-girl-elf-with-blue-eyes-set/p5759668?s_ppc=2dx_mixed_fashion_BAU&tmad=c&tmcampid=2&gclid=Cj0KCQiAuqKqBhDxARIsAFZELmLsjFOYwJsRSQZE1ho-8SPIDa5MAMJK5Od-A5OU49gUarZkIw44MhIaAg7rEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds you can buy cheaper ones. You have to move it every morning and no one is allowed to touch it. Sometimes they make a mess or sit up on top of the kitchen units…

Ps my DD is 11 and DS 5 - teenagers sound much more daunting to someone whose DCs are still at primary school!

Buy the elf kit off eBay. Take one out each night and save yourself the hassle.

I'd buy one of those little plastic skeletons that are probably going cheap after Halloween right now, stick an elf hat on it and say that very sadly you found your elf like this when you were cleaning out the the back of the pantry in May. He must have gotten his foot trapped when trying to steal the last of the fruit mince pies.

There is an elf is tesco for about 3 pounds. You move it around the house and it does funny and annoying mischief. Keep it simple. Sit it in a shoe holding a sweetie. Line it up with teddies. Etc

I like your style

Yesterday she asked me if "the elf" came to our house at Christmas

No he doesn't but we do lots of other fun things.
Don't get sucked in by the evil little thing.

Say no! Horrible smug little gits they are!

Thank you. No way am I inviting those haunted dolls into my house!

I refused with dc 1&2. Tried with dc3, but he came home on the 1st dec in tears, asking what he’d done wrong as everybody in his class had one except him and why hadn’t Santa sent him one. 🤦🏻‍♀️😭 cue a last minute dash out to get one that night and Eric the elf was born. He came with a note off Santa saying he’d come to learn good behaviour off dc3 (rather than the creepy making sure the dc behave). I’ve managed the first couple of years with feee ideas off the internet. Favourites have been watching elf the movie with a popcorn mess everywhere. A snowman drawn on loo rolls, sitting in the Christmas tree… lots of easier ideas.

Oh but this is a 7 year old who has been in care for 2 weeks PP's!

I think you should give him all the magic of the elf. I don't know how becasue I've never done it but the child deserves something to look forward to each morning.

Bless

That is brilliant 😂😂
My teens have offered to take on the task but warned me their ideas will probably be very inappropriate. So looks like it's down to me then.
I remember years ago there was something I saw on FB where you could get Santa to record a video for your child. I did one for my then 6 year old with Santa warning her she was on the naughty list, it worked a treat, perfectly behaved all through December.
The elf does look like a creepy little fucker. He may just meet a sticky end early in December when maybe he tries to make syrup sponge, falls in the tin and dies a horrible sticky death.

You've made me feel so guilty now 😀

Don't worry she's going to have the best Christmas. Bless her, I'm not sure how things have been done in her past but she keeps asking me why we are all excited and talking about Christmas because "it's boring"

Off to google elf naughtiness

Death by syrup sponge seems quite a nice way to go actually. Really want some syrup sponge now.

Some cute one's here!

91 easy Elf on the Shelf ideas 2023 (motherandbaby.com)

except the cookie one - that's rank!

Join fb page elf antics loads of ideas on there. Simple to extravagant

Also tge range, poundland etc sell bits for it.

Day 1. Delivers advent.
Then other ideas

Pants hung on xnas tree
Tissue wrapped round the lounge.
Bags of crisps hung on tree. Sign saying merry crispmas
Cereal in shoes with a spoon, dry cereal obvs with a funny note saying just add milk.
Zip wire so tinsel or similar from a shelf /tree etc going to floor, elf hanging from a candy cane zip wiring

These are 2 day things so day 1. Leave an egg and some magic dust/ glitter for her to sprinkle. Day 2 its turned into a kinder egg.
Can also be done for pound coin turn to choc coin.
Orange to a choc orange
Choc coin to a giant choc coin

Bag of crinkle crisps, elf holding iron with a note saying these were wrinkled and other side of elf standard crisps as if hes ironed them

Fill bath or sink with watery hot choc and marshmallows as if hes made a giant hot choc.

Toothpaste funny quotes on bathroom mirror ' i see you poo

Having a picnic with barbies /dolls etc.
Leaving a fun task like ingredients to bake or even a packet mix

Using toothbrush as a' butt brush '

Love this.

I was in foster care as a young child. My Mum had schizophrenia and alcoholism and Christmas was always a huge trigger for her and she’d end up sectioned. I remember waking up crying one Christmas Eve because I was very worried Santa wouldn’t know where I was (up until then I’d always had my Gran around who jumped in with the Christmas magic). The lovely foster Mum told me that it was okay, Santa was magic and he would know. And when I woke up there were some presents for me. I was so excited.

Thank goodness for people like you. ❤️

Came on thread to say don't do it, but in your circumstances then yes ho for it snd have fun

Pp. Im glad you woke to presents. A good friend of mine is a foster carer and each year they collect presents for all Foster children in the city.
My dcs have always given something whether they go and choose something or an unopened unwanted /double up gift of theirs.
On dd 5th Birthday she recieved 2 identical barbies. She said mummy put 1 in the cupboard for Christmas time when we give others presents.
Ive done this since my young adult dc was a kid.
Little things go a long way

@Pigeonqueen . I'm so glad you had someone to make your Christmas a little brighter.

@RubyRubyRubyRubay the lemonade one also though I did chuckle !!

@WannaLiveInABubble using toothbrush as a butt brush 😁😂😂😂