‘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

Thankfully this rubbish didn't exwhen my children were little!My daughter is busy enough working full time and the kids she deals with are bloody lucky if their parents even know its Christmas ..just don't give it anymore headspace !

I thought it was a load of shite but my then 6 year old really wanted one like class mates had... our elf is not naughty or messy and does things that take 5 seconds like sit in the empty breakfast bowl next to the spoon and I say 'ah look he was trying to help with breakfast'
If they want one they will ask when older, they are too young for you to need to bother now. My 4 year old isnt bothered yet and 1 year old throws the elf so definately isnt getting much from the expereince 😁

I caved last year when ds was desperate for one to appear in our house. He is my youngest and last dc, so I think ai got a bit sentimental which is why i caved.

So far, we've been really low key about it. Older dc don't believe in santa anymore, so it's just for the little one. Their teachers have them in the classrooms and they move them several times a day and their ideas are so much better than mine.

Looking forward to ds growing out of it but at the same time I don't find it that terrible to do. We just move him every night and that's about it

You obviously have a lot more time on your hands than others !Most parents just don't have the time or imagination to get involved in this rubbish..where does it end?

DC started asking last year and I said no. They asked why and I just said it was something I really didn't have time to be faffing about with moving around and thinking of ideas. I had no idea children are told it's a magic thing and think it actually moves by itself.

Only found that out a bit late when one of DS's friends said something about what his elf had done and I said something about his parents being really creative and he got really confused. I managed to cover it but it really hadn't crossed my mind they don't all know it's just a toy. I thought they were just playing along.

I've got three young children and have never done the elf. I've got enough to do quite honestly and it's the sort of thing my kids would find magical for two days and then lose interest in!

I feel no guilt about it, they have a lovely life and plenty of festive experiences to enjoy - this just isn't one of them.

I tried it last year for 2 days 😂
My boys then (4&5) started doing things like throwing flour all over the floor, and blocking the toilet with rolls of toilet rolls and just really acting out, intentionally breaking things 🫣
They thought it was funny because the elves did it and we'd all laugh...
the little shit went in the bin (the elf not a child) and it's never stepping foot back in ever again!

The only good thing about the elf on the shelf line is that the clothes fit Ken dolls. So if you have a Ken that needs something to wear, this is your time to stock up on clothes for him.

We never used to do it. My boys went on and on about their friend's elves. Two years ago they found a plush one we had at home and kept asking if it was magic (they were just 9 and 7 at the time)
So we started moving it a bit but not every night. They loved it.
But they hang round at Christmas then go into the drawer with the Christmas jumpers.
They got them out yesterday. I asked if they wanted to do them this year... definitely yes.
I'm afraid we're not exciting. Mostly move and swing in different rooms. I think we once rolled some loo paper around and they once ate some crisps I said the boys weren't allowed to eat (DH and I fancied a snack).
If you have the time and energy it's quite fun but if you do it make sure to set a level that is easy to keep up.

I do it, I like it. The fun & excitement the naughty elf brings, in my eyes, is just wonderful & far offsets the effort. Yes it’s another job, absolutely one I’m willing to do though.

Equally op, you don’t need to & you sound like a great mum. There’s totally no requirement to do it & that’s ok.

Edited to add; there’s hardly any effort from me though, there’s no ballon’s or elaborate mischief. I just do v v quick things.

We started doing it last year, when dcs were 5 and 1. It was fun, and takes less than 5 mins after bedtime. We'll continue doing it until the youngest gets bored. We don't use social media so it isn't about showing off on that, it's just having a bit of fun with the dcs.

I know LOADS of social media brainwashed people who do this is real life! My Facebook feed is bloody full of friends photos each day of their sodding elves 'making memories' for their children! It's completely bonkers! Competitive parenting at its finest 😩

The kids in my class are full of what their elf has done each morning when they arrive, and I have to feign delight at their antics...the toilet paper all over the house (what a waste!) the cereal strewn all over the house...seriously wasteful!! Shaving foam squirted all over dad's work clothes - just why???

Honestly, I am aghast at some of the stories they've told me about these monstrous little giblets that run amok through December in their homes!

They need rounding up and melting! 😩

Or alternatively...don't buy into the utter stupidity!

I'm 55...when I was wee the most exciting events in the run-up to Christmas were a trip into town to see the Aberdeen Christmas lights on Union Street and George Street, and the arrival of the Christmas parcel from my gran in England.

Things today seem to have got totally out of hand.

Couldn't have put it better myself!
Create the life you want, forget what everyone else chooses.

Nope I refuse to do it. But I have seen you can buy a box with all the ready prepped stuff for elf on the shelf that seems like a good idea for those who have started it and now dread it every year

My two are 6 and 4 and we've never done the elf, or Christmas eve boxes. They both LOVE Christmas - they love the things we do, not the things we don't do.

I was so annoyed when my husband's grandmother gave my dd an elf on the shelf. My husband thought I was being ott, but it was generally me who remembered to move it. We only did it for one year - I think she was 4 at the time. Just don't do the extra stuff. My dd gets a choc advent calendar for 1st dec and writes a letter to Santa early December and we're hoping to get the Xmas decs out this week. Christmas is just magical anyway. They don't need all this extra crap. Although I am being a hypocrite as we do pay to take her to see Santa! I refuse to do Xmas Eve boxes - there's so much excitement already I don't see the need to add yet another thing to have to do and pay for. Don't get me started on expensive advent calendars! Don't feel pressured. Instagram isn't real life. Do what the fuck you want to do in your home.

Oh and my dd is 8 now and hasn't mentioned the elf or anyone's elf from school. Don't let school pressure cloud your judgement. You can always whip him out in future years if that ever becomes an issue.

I hate those bloody elves. Kids love it though.

Mine are perplexed why they didn't arrive today - just putting it off.

No, you are not. It's just another American thing people can participate in or not. I am in the "not" camp. Parents are busy enough without having this added to their plate

This is our third year of doing elf on the shelf.
I'm sure he looks more smug each time I go get him out of the "Clutter cupboard" as we call it.
DD is 6 and absolutely loves him. DSS (9) and DS (13) are most definitely not interested but they play along so as not to spoil it for DD, so I think I'm stuck for another year or two yet! 😅

We did it with a handmade elf made by a family member but he never spied on them, and we had lots of fun making scenarios, some messy, which the kids thought was a hoot. They're teenagers now but remember it happily. Now the elf is just a loved decoration. I've always thought the elf in the shops looked a bit creepy and I've never liked the idea that people tell their kids they're being watched and judged by it.

@Kpo58

Thank you so much for the tip re Ken's clothes.

I need to buy a jacket or coat for mine and I have exhausted ebay and other places trying to find ( another ) coat - we will have 8 elves by the time ' we ' finish :) as elf no 1 has a new relative or friend arrive each year.

Save yourself the stress! It definitely does not make you a bad mum—social media is pushing far too much twee commercial rubbish on us these days. Get them advent calendars and call it good. Maybe it’s a social group thing, but we only know one family who even does the elf.