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Original poster

Elf on the shelf!

35 replies

minisoksmakehardwork · 02/12/2018 23:33

Yes, I am completely unreasonable. But how on Earth do those of you who do it manage to convince your child that the elf is real when they haven't had one for the past X many years of their life?

I did wonder if the first people to do Santa had the same issue, but decided of course not. Because the various incarnations are based on a real person who did anonymously deliver gifts.

OP posts:
sleepismysuperpower1 · 03/12/2018 17:29

We just said that santa has been watching for a few years to check that they were kind enough children to not hurt the elf, and he has decided that they are. ours were just caught up in the thrill of it arriving to care much about why it had only just turned up now.

Boysnme · 03/12/2018 21:23

Mine haven’t really thought about why they haven’t had one before so I havent mentioned it. They are however really caught up in the excitement of it all.

BaaBaaBaaMoo · 03/12/2018 21:27

Mine knew all about it from their friends so very easy! They asked for one.

1CantPickAName · 03/12/2018 21:27

My 6yo told me this morning that the elves weren’t real (we have two), be cause they haven’t left footprints. I had already bought elf footprint stencil and fake snow spray. I must admit that I’m having more fun than her atm

Allthewaves · 03/12/2018 21:32

Bloody creepy. Won't have them in the house.

LilMy33 · 03/12/2018 21:32

My son’s friends told him about theirs so he asked me to call Santa (that’s what you do apparently) and ask him to send one along to our house to check up on him, make sure he’s being good. My boy is young for his age because of his SN so while he could quite easily believe it’s all real (I’m doing my best) I think he just wants it for the shenanigans.

Myusername101z · 03/12/2018 21:33

Never mind if the kids believe it or not aslong as people can try and win parenting points by posting it on Facebook every single day, snore.

Grilledaubergines · 03/12/2018 21:36

Kids don’t get enough joy and surprises as it is, yeah let’s add something else in to it. Bloody ridiculous. More pressure to be inventive. Elf on the shelf is an arsehole.

LadyRochfordsSpikedGusset · 03/12/2018 21:37

So glad my DC are too old for this.

Bright kids or older kids will realise it's all a lot of nonsense.

theonlyKevin · 03/12/2018 22:28

Bright kids or older kids will realise it's all a lot of nonsense.

so what? so is Santa, the tooth fairy, the Easter bunny, and the jury is still out about angels. It's astonishing how people get some cranky against a bit of harmless fun who has no effect on them whatsoever.

WhyDontYouComeOnOver · 03/12/2018 22:34

Mine's had one for 9 years so it's always existed.
At 10, he's aware it's not real, but still wants it to come and do ridiculous things as it makes him laugh. That's fine by me, he won't be a child for much longer and I'll miss these days.

SovietKitsch · 03/12/2018 22:38

It’s a load of bollocks and I don’t have one, that’s how we get round it! Grin

Seriously though, I don’t like using Santa not coming as a threat for good behaviour, so the whole elf checking up on you business is not for me. I also just don’t have bloody time!

Tailfeather · 03/12/2018 22:44

How do you explain all of the elves in the shop to your child when he/she gets sent by Santa?

Tailfeather · 03/12/2018 22:45

(That's a genuine question as in how to explain it to my son!)

jillytots · 03/12/2018 23:00

Did he ask tailfeather? I remember lots of things I turned a blind eye to as a kid to make the magic of Christmas continue!

tor8181 · 03/12/2018 23:16

SovietKitsch has it 100% spot on and mirror my felling exactly

WhyDontYouComeOnOver · 03/12/2018 23:21

Our elf doesn't "spy" for santa. He comes and does naughty things. I've also used one in the classroom - brilliant resource for promoting literacy.

Mumofaprinny · 03/12/2018 23:25

I explained to my kids that there was no way santa could no who was naughty or nice so he sends elves to keep check and the last few years he’s been sending them to stay with children in their houses over Christmas to let him know if they are being good or not. I’m not sure they believed me, until I finally gave up and got one. I’m not sure they believed he was magic till the first night. I got a normal sized bottle of coke, peeled the label off and cut the bottle in half. Placed the elf inside the bottle and taped the bottle back up and replaced the sticker! They could not figure out how he got into the bottle so of course they now believe he is magic. I have wayyy to much time on my hands!😂

FourFuxxakes · 03/12/2018 23:34

I get around it by not having one! I think it's all a load of bollocks. One more "have to have" thing and if you don't have it you're doing it wrong.

I don't like the idea of getting children used to be kept "under surveillance" in their own homes or that some higher power is watching them constantly. I think that's quite creepy.

I know that you can do the elf thing without that aspect though but it's still added work and something else to fanny about with when you've already got tonnes on your plate.

AngelsOnHigh · 04/12/2018 00:17

I don't think that the DC actually analyse the whys and wherefores of the elf.

My DGC love all the antics "elf"gets up to. Apparently one of the rules is that no one is allowed to touch elf. About 4 years ago, one of the DC touched elf and he disappeared for the rest of the year.

No one has touched him since.

TheDarkPassenger · 04/12/2018 00:25

I can’t be trusted with this.

We forgot to do toothfairy once, what a bloody fart on that was. Can you imagine them waking up and the fucking elf is actually still on the bloody shelf!

WellThisIsShit · 04/12/2018 01:17

I maxxed myself out last year with the fabulously inventive antics of the elf, thinking that it was the last year that DS would really believe.

Turns out that he’s still a firm believer. I’m dreading the return of our elf... i peaked too early Sad Blush

Kitsandkids · 04/12/2018 03:45

I don’t understand why they’re naughty? Surely Santa’s elves should be inherently good? So I get people saying to their kids ‘the elf has come to watch if you’re behaving’ but I don’t get why every night the elf would be doing naughty things?

Dreamingofkfc · 04/12/2018 06:25

I refuse to do elf on the shelf. My son is in reception and hasn't mentioned it. Last year though he did say there was one at nursery, I just said how great that was but he probably had to stay there to keep an eye rather than come home. No way have I got time or energy for it

theonlyKevin · 04/12/2018 07:12

In this house, the naughty elf only came for a mini holiday after being cheeky in Santa's workshop. My elder kids didn't have one, but I find them funny for the little ones, and because the internet/ pinterest is flooded with ideas, it takes no effort at all.
What I love is people who take the time to write on facebook or other how they are too busy and haven't got time for that. not too busy to moan then Grin

The ones in the shop are just copies of the original one, as are all the soft toys. A toy father christmas doesn't make Santa less real, or the fairies, but they are real toys, whilst the elf is magic.

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