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Original poster

To be the only person I know without an Elf on a Shelf

174 replies

amysmum18 · 02/12/2016 08:46

Looking through my Facebook newsfeed over the last couple of days, I seem to be the only person I know that hasn't got an Elf on a Shelf.

My two little ones (5 and 3) have got a cloth advent calendar that we pop a couple of biscuits in every day 'from Father Christmas' if they have been good and that's it. Everyone else I know seem to be spending every night putting their Elves in elaborate and amusing situations for their children to find the next day. Between working, organising everything at home, looking after the kids (and the husband) and trying to get sorted for Christmas, I barely have time to think straight, let alone spend my time hiding an elf around the house!

Is it just me that doesn't feel the need to get an Elf on a Shelf or am I just being grumpy! ;-)

OP posts:
TheSconeOfStone · 02/12/2016 13:29

The only person I know doing this is my neighbour who is a child minder so is at home a lot and likes to entertain her minders. I'm in the I unfashionable end of Devon and we're a bit behind the times.

Each to their own but it's a shame mums (always mums) feel pressured into more effort and expense so their children can fit in.

We do plenty of nice things for Christmas without adding other people's traditions. DD has ASD and can get overwhelmed so less is more sometimes.

WaitrosePigeon · 02/12/2016 13:31

I don't do it either. Naff.

Dozer · 02/12/2016 13:32

It's bullshit IMO!

DramaAlpaca · 02/12/2016 13:34

I've only ever heard of EOTS on here.

I'm very glad my DC are too old for it, it sounds like a right pain to do. Just more hassle at an already busy time of year.

I overheard my DC talking about advent calendars yesterday & wishing they had them. The youngest is 19 Grin

Eolian · 02/12/2016 13:38

I don't know anyone who does it. Or if they do, they haven't mentioned it. I've never even seen an elf on the shelf. Doesn't appeal to me at all tbh. I love Christmas but I think the excessive build-up and over-commercialising spoils it.

I also don't do Christmas jumpers, Christmas pyjamas or Christmas Eve boxes (don't know what that is). If I had tons of money and could afford to buy really really nice pjs and jumpers in addition to presents then maybe I would, but I'm not going to waste money on a load of tat just because it's now 'a thing'.

Eolian · 02/12/2016 13:42

after all it is Advent, which is supposed to be a time of quiet preparation, waiting and watchfulness

Hmm, according to whom? I like a bit of quiet anticipation myself, but given that most people in this country aren't actually Christians and celebrate Christmas as a largely cultural thing, I'm not sure they need to be told how they should be behaving in the run-up.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 02/12/2016 14:04

Hardly go on fb, I can't be arsed with the cryptic posts with a billion 'what's up Hun? x' and the one upmanship bollocks basically I'm a miserable, antisocial git so thankfully miss out on the creep on a shelf thing.

If I wanted to invite evil into my house to creep the fuck out of my family I'd get a ouiji board.

bumsexatthebingo · 02/12/2016 14:04

Strange that some kids who believe in Santa would be freaked out by an elf yet a man entering their home on Christmas Eve and leaving stuff in a stocking for them - perfectly fine!

ginauk84 · 02/12/2016 14:07

I thought about it yesterday but it would scare my 3 year old to death, I think she would be really freaked out and to be fair I find they look a little creepy!

BroomstickOfLove · 02/12/2016 14:08

We do elf stuff, but I'm the only person I know who does, and the people I know online who do EOTS don't the whole reporting back to Santa thing.

Our elf is very tasteful and restrained, and is a small Maileg pixie. She leaves instructions for crafts and baking and suggests good deeds for the children to do, and asks questions about advent for the children to think about. They respond better to stuff like that from an elf than they do from a parent.

HeCantBeSerious · 02/12/2016 14:10

None here (DCs are 8 and 6).

We do have Kindness Elves though.

www.thekindnesselves.com

DustyCropHopper · 02/12/2016 14:14

We have 2 elves. Last 'tricks' take minutes to do, Infact last night's antics took the time I was waiting for the kettle to boil to do. Kids love it, no harm to anyone else, you either do it or you don't, much like anything else.

K425 · 02/12/2016 14:23

My DS (13) saw a picture of one yesterday and asked if it was "that creepy doll that's like a boy? Chucky?". So yeah, creepy as all get out.

BroomstickOfLove · 02/12/2016 14:24

Kindness elves are basically just a more tasteful version of the EOTS, though, aren't they? I don't know anyone who does the version that comes with the official elf. Most people have their own non-creepy elves who do various things, including promoting kindness.

CantstandmLMs · 02/12/2016 14:30

I know someone who started it last year. Midway through she was running out of ideas and it was a ball ache but her son was expecting it this year so here she goes again. I get exhausted just looking at the photos!!

HeCantBeSerious · 02/12/2016 14:33

Kindness elves are basically just a more tasteful version of the EOTS, though, aren't they?

No idea. I know lots of people that do the official EOTS thing - e.g. Reporting back to santa etc.

We've always encouraged kindness in DC but make December more focused on others than ourselves. Our elves aren't associated with santa in any way, they don't make messes but just suggest small kind things that the DC can do every day. "Kind" is a word that always features on their school reports.

PutDownThatLaptop · 02/12/2016 14:52

I know one person in real life who does it. I had never heard of a "North Pole Breakfast" until I read about it here on MN last night and I am still reeling from the shock of some of the elaborate banquets associated with that!

DesignedForLife · 02/12/2016 14:53

No elf here. I think it's creepy. Also I've had friends say that they've had major letdowns on Christmas Day because the elf has gone. I prefer to keep the focus on Christmas

MrsSnootch · 02/12/2016 15:14

It is silly. Not a tradition really is it its an Americanism.

Same as ''Christmas eve boxes''

Fuck me

gluteustothemaximus · 02/12/2016 15:21

No elf. No Alexa. Also no facebook Grin

formerbabe · 02/12/2016 15:52

I can manage to convince my dc that Santa is real. Expecting them to believe a toy elf sitting on the living room shelf is watching them and reporting back on them is a bit of a stretch!

EggnoggAndMulledWine · 02/12/2016 15:54

I have done it a couple of years but not this year. I MIGHT do it the twelve days leading up to xmas simply because my seven year old asked after school today.

It's not a necessity, only do it if you want to you most certainly aren't being unreasonable by not doing it.

SpookyPotato · 02/12/2016 16:16

I've read about them on here but not seen anyone I know do them! So don't feel alone OP. I think it's a tradition I will be skipping when the time comes... Grin

Sallystyle · 02/12/2016 16:41

Lots of my friends have them this year.

I don't. Mine are a bit too old for it really.

MrEBear · 02/12/2016 16:43

We don't have one. I see it as something else to do, think about, that might give the Santa game away, pure commercial tat. And as somebody else pointed once you start it's hard to stop. I really don't want to start it.

DS 5 has came home from school yesterday and again today talking about the class Elf and asking "Why don't we have an elf?" Yesterday a friend must have had elf arrive and brought advent calender "which means you don't need to buy an advent calendar".

This has given me a dilemma....how do I explain why we don't have an Elf....with out saying that they are pretend nonsense?