‘Elf on a shelf’ thoughts?

[Batwomann]

I have a nearly 3 and nearly 1 year old. I haven’t overly took part in this. We have a little elf and move him around and explain to eldest he’s got Christmas magic etc and he will make his and baby sisters toys in the workshop soon etc!

This morning (and my social media is scaled down to people I know and actually know only) I see balloon, cake and merchandise for this elf announcing he’s back and messes already made on day 1 saying it was the elf!!🤣

As I’m still drained (youngest wakes frequently still) the thought of a chaotic day with my babies/work day then after bed time making a deliberate mess/clutter to blame on an elf doesn’t appeal? I’ll keep moving him around and explaining Christmas magic etc

But am I shit for not taking part? I have always told myself when eldest goes to school as don’t want him to feel left out when class mates discuss it

He does have an advent calendar and I did a December box for both kids with art&craft sets , pyjamas and a soft toy etc

Can't abide Elf on a Shelf. Twee and unnecessary added stress.

How is it that children are fooled by what is very obviously a plastic toy?

Your three year old is not following insta
He does not care
It is a new fad you literally do not need to participate

We have an elf (plush one not the freaky one) who is magical & fills the advent calendar. Sometimes I put him in a silly place or hat etc.

whatever you start you will be doing for as long as they believe in the magic (or longer).

I honestly wish I had not made the elf magical it’s exhausting.

they are so little they won’t know & won’t be missing out.

We don’t do it. The mental load at Christmas is huge enough. Good for you anyone who has the time and energy to be this inventive, but I’m worried that my daughter will come home from school tomorrow being disappointed. I’ve told the children they don’t need to be spied on - I feel a bit uncomfortable generally about the Father Christmas only coming if you’re good message.

No, you are definitely not shit for not taking part! The whole elf on a shelf phenomenon seems to have taken off relatively recently. My DC are in their early twenties and it simply wasn't a thing when they were little. Don't make a rod for your own back by establishing a tradition that makes extra work for you!

Your eldest is only nearly 3 !

you can scale it up when he is actually at school, even tho the youngest will only be 3 then.

Think about why you are doing it. If it's to get the kids excited for Christmas try an advent calendar

You sound like you're doing a great job with making this time of year magic for your children op. We wouldn't have had elves (we now have 8) if my son hadn't come home from nursery 9 years ago and told us that all the children were getting elves on December 1st from Santa. It can be as easy or difficult as you want. In my house we go for full on evil widescale mayhem as it makes us laugh, none of it goes on social media as it's just fun for us.

My GC are 9 and 6 …they love the elf…..they totally totally beleive …their little faces today when they to.d me he’s back…..totally worth the hassle

It’s not something I have the desire or time to do and my eldest is 6 and hasn’t mentioned it so I don’t think it’s a case of kids being left out if you don’t do it. But if other people have the time and enjoy it then good for them

We've never done it. Two youngest are now 10 and 7 and haven't even questioned why we've never had one.

Largely, the only people I know who do it, do it solely so they can post about it on social media. It's very little to do with bringing joy to their children and all about the kudos.

Don't do it! It's such a ridiculous concept 🤦‍♀️

I despise the elf nonsense.
sorry to all of you who love it.
I just think it’s awful, and so glad it wasn’t a thing when mine were that age.

It's a monstrosity.

Have a word with yourself and throw it in the bin.

If he gets to school and asks why he doesn't have one tell him that the Elf is sent to report back to Santa and luckily Santa knows that he's a good boy so he doesn't need one (and isn't that good because we don't want an elf messing up our house!).

What even is the concept? I get it's an elf that does mischief? But why? Where's it from?

Don't even give it a moment's angst.

I am absolutely not getting involved with the Elf. There is enough happening. I feel zero guilt.

Advent calendar chocolate is plenty!

It's bollocks. Creates additional work for very little reward. Why put yourself through it?!

Zero guilt here too. My nine year old once mentioned that her friends have an elf, why don’t we?
I simply told her I have enough on my plate and we left it at that!

Is it an American thing? We lived over there when my kids were little (10 years ago) and I told them it was American. Same for the Easter bunny delivering eggs. We did other things.
Honestly although it looks fun I know I'd have ended up hating it.

It’s just a massive no from me. I’ve got 2 dc and they are excited enough about Christmas itself. They got their adventure calendars today which they were thrilled about so it think some elf arriving in a balloon or whatnot would take away from some of the simple joys.

Think it's pretty new, definitely not a thing when mine were small (early 20's now) also Christmas Eve/1st December boxes, not a thing (new pj's aside), also matching pj's ... but into the bits you want to and leave the rest

That elf is never setting foot in my house! I have a 5 year old and 2 year old there is zero guilt!

There is enough stress and things to sort in Dec without adding another pointless thing in

I've only ever come across it on social media, I don't know anyone who does it in real life. I also basically refuse to do any newfangled Christmas things that I didn't have growing up.