AIBU to want to do elf on the shelf but without the elf being from the north pole?

[nocutsnobuttsnococonuts]

I really like the fun aspect of a naughty elf getting up to mischief and playing jokes and i know my daughters would find it hilarious however i am not sold on it being an actual elf from the north pole.

my eldest (almost 7) is pretty logical and has already questioned santa. so i think a magical elf will be pretty unbelievable to her. also im not keen on the spying aspect of the elf.

so would i be unreasonable to introduce the creepy elf into the house doing all the silly pranks i've seen on pinterest but without him being from Santa?

and has anyone else done this?

Which children DO believe in Satan?

Elfs come from Elfland.

No opposed to the idea it's just the official elf in the shelf that's for sale creeps me out.

Fun Satan stories? Your family get together must be a good.

Wish I was from Iceland
www.the-line-up.com/the-yule-lads-gryla-iceland/

I bought a fairy a few years ago. I doubt the dc believe this fairy is real but they still find her hilarious when she's thrown pants everywhere or eaten all the chocolates.

fred the idea of kids believing in satan and having fun stories about it really made me laugh!! although looking at the official elf on the shelf he looks more like ones on satans minions rather than a friendly elf from santa! haha!!

Our elf was quite annoying and nicknamed 'Santa's snitch'.

Why does it have such a freaky little face?

fastdaytears Because it's about teaching "good" behaviour through fear, if the elf was friendly the threat of "reporting to santa" would be much reduced.

Maybe my 4year old is odd, but she'd certainly have no belief in it being real and would likely undermine any belief in father christmas (although I really doubt she believes as she asked what we'd put in DP's stocking if she hung one up.) The more unrealistic you make the stories - and an obvious doll "reporting to santa" strikes me as something any kid is just going to see through readily as it's not at all within normal experience. To people with absolute conviction that kids need to believe in santa also make sure they tell them all the other imaginary creatures are real, even if they're not so friendly - monsters etc.

As a child that would have freaked me right out. I was quite scared of cuddly toys and posters as thought they were 'staring at me'. The idea that they came alive at night would have made me shit my pants!

Or God, Fredfred?

We did that, and had it done to us, Senpai

I think Christmas family "traditions" are great!

Also, I do this growly voice "talking" as if I was the dog. DD loves it, and respnds, DH loves it, and responds. They both know it's me (I don't try and pretend otherwise), but it's lovely. I used to make her toys "wave" to her from behind the door. She loved that too.

Why wouldn't you do something that delighted your child?!

TBH I think kids are much more savvy about 'playing along' than some parents want to think they are -- kids from pretty young understand the difference between 'real for the purposes of the game' and 'actually real in the real world'.

This. I cannot remember a time when I was not aware that the presents were actually from my parents. You just play along because it is fun and adds a bit of mystery to Christmas.