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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Ncforthispost2005 · 03/12/2016 11:10

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.

I don't feel pressured to do it so my child will fit in. I do because I want to and my kids enjoy it.

If you don't like them or don't want to do it don't but no need to judge anyone who does. Why do you give a shit what other people do.

Ncforthispost2005 · 03/12/2016 11:11

Oh and 'whore in the drawer' is such a lovely concept exactly what we should be teaching our kids/teenager!

Costacoffeeplease · 03/12/2016 11:18

I'll just leave this here

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

Pineapplemilkshake · 03/12/2016 11:38

Funnyface1, my DS felt the same way as your son. Although obviously Santa visits at night, I think it's different as it's only one night and something he has been used to as long as he can remember. My DS felt worried about an elf moving about every night for a month, especially as it's a new concept to him. I can see how fun it is for some families, but possibly best if introduced at a much younger age so they get used to it.

LBOCS2 · 03/12/2016 12:04

Yeah, fuck that. I have enough to do at this time of year - and a) I find them creepy AF and b) I'll almost certainly lose interest halfway through the month and then have to explain why the elf doesn't move any more.

Also, saw this tweet and it summed up my feelings on it

usual · 03/12/2016 12:05

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FurryLittleTwerp · 03/12/2016 12:06

I don't know anyone with an Elf on the Shelf thank goodness

Jaggythistle · 03/12/2016 12:08

I only know a couple of folk with one. (we don't )

Not actually seen any on fb this year.

Maybe like me they have decided they don't have time for that shit!

80sMum · 03/12/2016 12:15

I don't actually know what you're talking about OP. So, I definitely haven't got one!

Dahlietta · 03/12/2016 12:40

If people don't want to do it then great but admit you can't be arsed rather than making out you're saving your child from a traumatic event!

Not doing it because you can't be arsed implies that it's something you think you should do, but you don't because you can't be bothered to.

I'm not doing it because I'm another one who'd never heard of it. I don't think I know anyone who has one - certainly I've not heard anyone talking about them (and I'm a teacher!) nor has anyone I'm 'friends' with put one on Facebook.

DEMum101 · 03/12/2016 12:43

I am irrationally furious about bloody elf on a shelf. I know it is each parent's choice blah blah, but when the kids all talk about theirs at school and what they have been up to, the ones who don't have one start to question why (DD) and you have to make a choice as a parent. Sign up for the made up American "tradition" bollocks or hold out against all the unnecessary hassle and creepiness and have a sad child. I am going with the latter at the moment as it only seems to be every so often she remembers about them but that could change. I am tempted to suggest that only naughty children get elves so Santa can monitor their behaviour but I expect it would get back to the other children who do have them and I would be Public Enemy number one.

Cindbelly · 03/12/2016 13:22

It's not that new, This will be our 6th eots Christmas (a teddy elf not an official creepy one) and I have officially run out of ideas so he's in a Box in my room.
DS 9 figured out last year he's not real, DD 4 hasn't asked where he is so I'm thinking he won't visit this year.

All my friends who at me in previous years have got elves on their Facebook. One in particular her youngest is 11 has just brought one and is posting 'hilarious' photos on fb every day.
No fb bragging from me, 'elfis' has always had his very own profile yes I am a sad fucker

The more I see everyone else doing it, the less I want to. Not sure what that says about me...

Beardsareweird · 03/12/2016 13:24

I teach Y2 and sevreal kids in my class have these. I am already absolutely sick and tired of hearing what the stupid elves have got up to.

balence49 · 03/12/2016 13:28

We have a mum at our kids school. She is That mum, kids do every extra activity, and win, every play they are lead roles, she's pta queen, best friends with the teacher, etc etc. Likes to look down her nose at the poor people ( anyone without a brand new Audi/BMW) you get the picture!

Well she is making and selling elf on a shelfs and other Christmas home made shite, well I say make, I think she buys a hundred at a time from china puts them in a fancy box with some tinsel on.

Anyway, she's been doing this a few years now. Someone has grassed her up to the tax man and she now is in trouble for not declaring! Bahaha Amazingly hilarious news to the vast majority of parents in the yard. Couldn't think of a nicer person to have that happen to them.

MothertotheLordsofmisrule · 03/12/2016 13:57

No elf on the shelf here - can't be arsed.

Also I was the bad mother buying an advent calendar yesterday coz I forgot.

RainyDayBear · 03/12/2016 14:02

I'm not hugely keen, but seems like harmless fun really, and I'll probably end up doing it in a few years when DD is bigger. I reckon DP will probably get more into it than me! You can never have too much magic at Christmas

HeCantBeSerious · 03/12/2016 17:44

Now imagine what it's like for people that don't do santa!

honeyroar · 03/12/2016 18:15

I dont understand why they do naughty tricks and get up to mischief. Can anyone explain? How do you explain to the children that the elf can do naughty things and it's funny, but if they do it's wrong? I don't get it.

And yes I'd be tempted to say that they only went to naughty children too!

HeCantBeSerious · 03/12/2016 18:32

Just one of the many issues I have with them!

Wombletor · 03/12/2016 18:41

We don't have one.

hiccupgirl · 03/12/2016 18:50

We don't have one and won't be getting one. I'm happy to admit I can't be arsed with it all but I also think it's a really creepy idea and DS (6) would be freaked out. DS has 2 advent calendars, the tree goes up next week and a Christmas birthday. That's more than enough to be dealing with.

I have told him that they only go to naughty children who Father Christmas needs to watch when he's asked about it. I'm not bothered if that pisses of other parents at school.

cardibach · 03/12/2016 18:53

YANBU to not have a bloody Elf.
YABU to only put biscuits in your DCs advent calendar if they have 'been good'. Advent calendars are about the countdown, not about behaviour. I could say stuff about food as a reward/withholding food for poor behaviour, but that might (might, I don't know) be overkill.

StealthPolarBear · 03/12/2016 18:54

" One person on my fb feed today had a picture of where the wives have supposedly pooped on the kitchen floor with the kids all gathered around it..."
:o :o please say that's not a typo !

MrEBear · 03/12/2016 19:59

DEMum I am tempted to say only naughty children have them too. Honestly I really can't be bothered with it, Christmas is a busy enough time without adding to it.

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