Elf on the shelf is shit, isn’t it?

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We don't do elf on the shelf as such however last year I bought a small elf toy and a letter to my DS which stated the elf had been sent to learn good behaviour from my ds. I got letters online that I put in our letter box every night for ds to find after school. Looking to do something similar this year

I don’t put any kid related stuff on SM

That's shit, not because of the elf but because how dare they try to make you feel like crap for doing Christmas your way?

We have an elf, it's a random cheapie which has the added benefit of not being in every single shop,youtube video etc.
DD love it at 3,4 and 5 and sobbed when he left. She wrote him little goodbye notes and was allowed to play with him. She was excited for December 1st because that's when Elfie comes. Most nights we just threw him around somewhere, but for a 3-4 yo it was awesome.
Last year she started believing just that little bit less,but was still excited to look for him. I expect this year will be the last year when he is a THING, probably more for fun than magic and true belief. She's growing up and that's ok.

I’ve honestly never heard of it. But my DCs are still little and I’m not on social media.

Well we won’t be doing Elf On The Shelf or Santa Cams or any of that bollocks, because I mentioned that Santa brings the presents to DD3 today and she instantly burst into tears, sobbing “but he won’t come IN to our house, will he?”

Not into it either. Hate any more commercialisation of xmas. Doing more of the xmas eve boxes / elaborate duvet sets / over the top advent calendars just feels like the actual day is watered down in kids excitement. If they get too much, what they actually get is no longer exciting.

What I was trying to say is that it doesn't have to be shit, but it doesn't to "be" either. Christmas is safe and kids are happy with or without it.

2 years ago I told my DD (then 6) that the elf on the shelf was just a toy. Mums and dads moved them around pretending they reported back to Santa to make kids behave running up to Christmas. She accepted it. For around a week!
All the children at school had them and she wrote to Santa asking for an elf! So now we have an elf! I'm not totally convinced she believes he's real?? But that first year she sobbed hysterically Christmas Eve when she realised he'd go "home" to Santa
I put in minimum effort with moving him around the house and don't post it on social media. Have more than one friend who posts elf antics every day of December though!

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.

Hate any more commercialisation of xmas

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

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.

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

Sounds like a load of bollox to me.

@MrsTerryPratchett
Very true

tantamount to roasting elves on an open fire

That gives me an idea for this year.

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.

Forgot to post a picture

Elf on the shelf is a vulgar Americanism.

The overuse of the word vulgar is vulgar.

What’s vulgar about it?

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

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?

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!"

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.