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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not 'do' Elf on the Shelf?

40 replies

PinkFizzz · 04/12/2018 13:36

DS is 9, doesn't believe in Santa and has said so.

MIL was looking after him yesterday and he has talked her into buying him an elf. I assumed it would just be for decoration, returned home.v. late from work so didn't give it another thought.

DS bounced in this morning announcing the arrival of "Timmy" and that he's supposed to come to life when we are all asleep. I'm sure he knows it's not real but this is his way of telling me he wants our elf to do this too.

His wee face was all excited and I suspect this is because his friends at school a have an elf and he feels left out. I feel bad but I just can't be arsed doing it.

AIBU?

OP posts:
NotAnotherUserName5 · 04/12/2018 13:37

I’m also not following the herd doing the elf thing. I can’t stand it Grin

SovietKitsch · 04/12/2018 13:38

Tell him to do it himself, I’m sure he has far more energy to be imaginative...

Knitwit101 · 04/12/2018 13:40

We have an elf. Ds has been asking for it for months. I move it around so he has to find it. It doesn't do anything complicated or requiring props. He's 6 and seems quite happy with this low level of effort so far.

JudasPrudy · 04/12/2018 13:42

I'd do it tbh. It's probably only for this year, maybe next then goodbye Timmy.

NoFucksImAQueen · 04/12/2018 13:44

ah I think yabu, he clearly wants you to do it. I know it seems like effort but it's not really. we're doing it this year as i suspect it will be the last year ds believes. so far our elf has been in the ceral box, drawn on the bananas and got a hold of action man's kite. took seconds to do

VibeTribe · 04/12/2018 13:45

Ah just do it, how much effort does moving it to a different place each night actually require? It will probably be the last year he wants to

babysharkah · 04/12/2018 13:47

We now have three of the fuckers. Their excitement makes it worth the pain, and it is pain, remembering at 10 that the bloody things are meant to do something. Last night they went to sleep. They do stupid stuff at the weekends.

TBDO · 04/12/2018 13:48

Arghhh I’d hate it if my DC asked me to do this - another thing to do on top of working, looking after the household, getting DC Christmas stockings and presents ready, getting ready for the school Christmas show, seeing family and friends in December, work Christmas do.

The elf would tip me over the edge, regardless of how much the DC would like it.

Conventicle · 04/12/2018 13:50

God, just say no. We don't do the elf, we don't do 'Santa Claus is literally true', and no one dies or is bereft of the magic of Christmas, or ages straight into being a fiftysomething accountant with a side parting.

JustKeepSwimmingJustKeepSwimmi · 04/12/2018 13:52

If MIl bought it cant she do things with it and send photos...?

We dont do elf on shelf or xmas eve boxes. All too much in my opinion although Im happy others like it!

We do lots of national trust xmas trails, make mince pies, gingerbread, kids xmas concerts etc so do do lots of things, just not the more recentlt hyped stuff.

Original poster
PinkFizzz · 04/12/2018 13:53

Vibe

Not much if he only wants me to move it about but if he wants the full show with pranks and treats thst everyone else has, it's a different story.

We are really hard up this Xmas and I have been trying not to get sucked in to all the commercial stuff to much. I know the elf didn't cost me anything but is it going to escalate to a Christmas Eve box etc?

OP posts:
JustKeepSwimmingJustKeepSwimmi · 04/12/2018 13:55

Exactly my point Fizz! And they will then expect it next year. Its a lot of thought and time and yet another chore to do in December.

JudasPrudy · 04/12/2018 13:59

@PinkFizzz it's not hard drugs, the elf isn't a gateway Christmas celebration Confused

LaurieMarlow · 04/12/2018 13:59

I'd do it if it would make him happy.

You don't have to be very elaborate with the mischief. Facebook/Instagram have lots of ideas to steal from - do a simplified version if they're too much of a PITA.

LaurieMarlow · 04/12/2018 14:00

I know the elf didn't cost me anything but is it going to escalate to a Christmas Eve box etc?

Not if you don't want it to. The beauty of the elf is that the fun is free.

MrsJayy · 04/12/2018 14:00

If he doesn't believe in Santa then tell him he is a bit old for timmy coming to life dont be sucked into the madness btw this elf nonsense has sprung up in the last decade it isn't atradition

Almostthere15 · 04/12/2018 14:03

I would say the elf is a perfect non cost activity and it's a way to make the run up magical. We don't have elaborate props, we made a sledge last night from a cereal box and string. Earlier this week they were playing a board game. They will probably toilet paper the tree at some point. It takes me max 5 mins at night so it doesn't need to be a huge job.

LaurieMarlow · 04/12/2018 14:05

If he doesn't believe in Santa then tell him he is a bit old for timmy coming to life dont be sucked into the madness btw this elf nonsense has sprung up in the last decade it isn't a tradition

This seems very mean spirited. Who cares if it's a recent thing? Why's that important if he'd enjoy it?

And I'd hate to tell a child they were 'too old' for some harmless fun.

BlueOooChristmas · 04/12/2018 14:06

You don't have to make it that elaborate. We have the odd day where the Elf has clearly made a bit more effort but most of the time it's just "oh look he's on top of the door frame".

10PollyPockets · 04/12/2018 14:09

We have an elf but it doesn't move, I just don't have the inclination and people I know seem to do it more for the Facebook pics than for the actual child's enjoyment.
There's loads of ideas floating about online for what the elf can do. He could climb the tree, make a snow Angel from sugar etc!

MrsJayy · 04/12/2018 14:12

Oh Laurie it is a toy elf maybe the op cba for it to get into mischief

LaurieMarlow · 04/12/2018 14:16

CBA is fine, I've no issue with that.

But objecting on the grounds of 'he's too old' or 'it's not a tradition' seems silly and a bit mean.

If its CBA then just admit that.

KissingInTheRain · 04/12/2018 14:18

If anyone bought my children an elf, we’d be playing a variation: Elf in the Bin.

JustKeepSwimmingJustKeepSwimmi · 04/12/2018 14:19

Wow peer pressure happens quick even amongst mums. Its wasnt a thing a few years ago and now youre berating op for not wanting to do it.

Im with you OP. No need to buy into latest craze just because others are. Its a faff if you dont fancy doing it and theres so many other fun xmas things to be doing! Fine for those that fancy it and enjoy the "mischief" (I dont find the naughty stuff particulary funny but I dont really get slapstick humour either! Mine wouldnt find all the messes funny ...)

JustKeepSwimmingJustKeepSwimmi · 04/12/2018 14:22

Its more than CBA though in our case. I wouldnt do it as its not my thing, and I resent all the trends putting pressure on families to do more and more. I certainly CBA to take kids out in winter and make presents for people and we do lots of lovely xmas christmad traditions. I resent that its considered the "norm" and that you consider those that dont do it as CBA .