Elf on the shelf is shit, isn’t it?

[MustardScreams]

I’m being ridiculed at work for not doing this for dd. Apparently I’m ‘ruining the magic of christmas’

It’s ridiculous though! Who has the time and energy to think up bonkers things to do with an elf for 25 frigging days?! Surely the magic of presents and Santa is enough ffs. Also it’s just playing into commercialism blah blah rant rant rant.

[JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff]

I hate elves.

But I do generally like arranging the DC toys in amusing patterns. Not every night but I will periodically leave one of the farm animals reading the others a story, or a dinosaur wearing school shoes etc. I am very childish.

[LaurieMarlow]

which has only been around for a decade

Don’t understand this objection either. Everything starts somewhere.

I’d love to have been on here in the 1840s (or whenever). hopefully everyone was complaining about the upstart, vulgar, German tradition of Christmas trees.

[dreichwinter]

@iklboo my elves regularly drink a bottle of of wine or put one another in the slow cooker.
DC have only just left primary school.
Fear I may have mentally scarred them!

[LaurieMarlow]

It's consumerist shit

I’ll ask again, what consumerist about it?

Speaking as the proud owner of a five euro elf that will last years.

[dreichwinter]

I don't post anything on SM about it.

[LaurieMarlow]

Why not spend the time reading Christmas's stories to your children instead?

Newsflash. You can do both.

Mind blowing I know.

You do most of the work when they’re in bed. Not much use reading stories to them then.

[dreichwinter]

We have gnomes and even though dc no longer believe they are magical I think they will reappear.
They and their naughty ways are one of my Xmas highlights.

[OtraCosaMariposa]

Yes, total shit which has only been around for a decade. It's not magical. It's consumerist shit much adored by the "making memories" huns.

[WhiskeyLullaby]

@NearlyGranny I'm a pretty fast reader,but even I couldn't read a book in the 5 seconds it takes to throw the elf in the sink,or shove him in a cereal box. Plus all of this happens once the children are asleep.
Not that it has to be an either or situation ,contrary to your assumption.

[Bouledeneige]

I don't really understand all these new fads like Elf on a shelf and Christmas boxes. What the heck even is a polar breakfast when it's at home?

We have so many family traditions that I don't really see the need for more Xmas merch. Like going to buy the tree and decorating it together. Fish and chips, a carol service and Xmas movie on Christmas Eve. Stockings etc. 16 members if the family rocking up on Christmas Day. Fun and games

They are 17 and 19 and love it all. It's enough.

[Josephinebettany]

I don't have a Facebook or Instagram account. So our elf honestly isn't on any social media!
My daughters have actually been talking about him all year! They can't wait for him to come back.
Don't get me wrong there were many nights I had settled down warm in bed about to go to sleep and then "oh no the bloody elf!"

[NearlyGranny]

Yeah, it's rubbish. I think lots of people do it for SM likes, not for their kids. It's naff.

Why not spend the time reading Christmas's stories to your children instead?

[LavaLamp5566]

We just have a regular Elf plushie doll and he holds a sign saying how many days are left till Christmas. Sometimes I give my little one a treat and say it's from Chip the Elf

Elf on the Shelf is creepy, seriously creepy

[LaurieMarlow]

What’s vulgar about it?

[WhiskeyLullaby]

The overuse of the word vulgar is vulgar.

[Rosehip10]

Elf on the shelf is a vulgar Americanism.

[TeeniefaeTroon]

Forgot to post a picture

[TeeniefaeTroon]

I think it's great fun! I think this is our 5th year of doing it and I've still not run out of ideas.
It's my sons birthday tomorrow and our elf has arrived in his 'birthday suit' 😂 for one day only.

[WhiskeyLullaby]

tantamount to roasting elves on an open fire

That gives me an idea for this year.

[RickOShay]

@MrsTerryPratchett
Very true

[1Morewineplease]

Sounds like a load of bollox to me.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

'Magic' is like salt or sugar. Just because a little is nice, doesn't mean adding a whole shit ton is nicer.

[LaurieMarlow]

How did you kids get to know about it? Or did you d it for them? I’m dreading dd hearing about it from her friends and questioning why elf doesn’t visit her.

Well I started it

But last year when DS was 4 there was plenty of chat at nursery from the other kids.

I guess it just depends though.

[LaurieMarlow]

Hate any more commercialisation of xmas

I don’t get this though, we have a cheapy elf and no further expenditure.

[LolaSmiles]

I dislike elf on a shelf and santa cams etc, but if people want to do to then fine.

What annoys me are the silly claims that anyone not doing the latest faddy thing is somehow ruining Christmas, depriving children of festive magic and tantamount to roasting elves on an open fire and eating them in front of traumatised children. Those responses from adults are hysterical.