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AIBU?

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Original poster

Bloody Elf turns up in a balloon now

437 replies

DressingGownofDoom · 01/12/2020 12:59

I know IABU and a curmudgeon but why does everything have to be such an exhibition at Christmas? Elves can't just appear this year they have to float from Lapland in a balloon with a present Confused I know, I know if you don't like it don't do it. That's fine but I do feel sorry for the kids whose parents don't have £15 to spend on an elf balloon and then a present on top just because it's the first of December. I thought this year might make us all step back and maybe consider a simpler celebration of Christmas but no, the social media onslaught of who can be the most ostentatious Christmas fanatic is worse than ever. I hate it.

Bloody Elf turns up in a balloon now
OP posts:
LobsterRavioli · 01/12/2020 13:01

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zigaziga · 01/12/2020 13:01

I don’t think most parents are doing that. Most either don’t have time or don’t have the money or have the time and the money but think that that is tacky / wasteful etc...
Seriously, out of your circle of friends what % are doing that?

zigaziga · 01/12/2020 13:03

Because I don’t know any FYI.

It’s a minority doing Elf on The Shelf full stop and those that do it are having the elves deliver the advent calendar or similar.

Sirzy · 01/12/2020 13:03

It’s not compulsory, like most things people can do it or not as they please.

Personally I have never got the point of the whole elf thing and wouldn’t have the energy to bother. That doesn’t mean I judge those who enjoy doing it

Pickledpenguin · 01/12/2020 13:06

I don't rent and am quite ok financially and I did this last year. It is a bit of fun and mine enjoyed it so it was well worth it. It is not something you have to do at all.

Yeahnahmum · 01/12/2020 13:06

Stop being a sheep and don't give in to social media pressure.
If elf on the shelf was done by men... do you think it would all be so over the top btw? Nah it wouldnt. Probably wouldnt even be done actually!

It is just women trying to outdue other women. Yeah...
And all for likes. Just that. Likes.

Pickledpenguin · 01/12/2020 13:08

Not everyone puts pictures of everything they do on social media. I did it for my child not for anyone else. I have the pics saved for us and that is it. I wish people would just live and let live.

letsmakethetea · 01/12/2020 13:09

@Yeahnahmum

Stop being a sheep and don't give in to social media pressure. If elf on the shelf was done by men... do you think it would all be so over the top btw? Nah it wouldnt. Probably wouldnt even be done actually!

It is just women trying to outdue other women. Yeah...
And all for likes. Just that. Likes.

This, exactly!
TheBuggerlugs · 01/12/2020 13:09

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Mylittlepony374 · 01/12/2020 13:09

We have an elf. She appeared on a shelf this morning. No balloon. No presents. All she does is sit. Last year there were times she didn't move for days. Perhaps she's faulty.

Gancanny · 01/12/2020 13:09

I hate doing the elf, would happily drop-kick the little fucker into the nearest wheelie bin with a song in my heart, but the DC love him so he stays. He's not a grass so he isn't saying for Santa, he just plays some child-friendly pranks and gets up to mild naughtiness. It gives them a giggle each morning to see what he's been up to during the night and some nights we do absolutely nothing with him so they can go crackers trying to work out what he's done that they just can't see.

If you don't like what other people are doing with/for their DC and what they're sharing then unfollowthem. They stay on your friend list but you won't see their updates.

WhoUsedMyName · 01/12/2020 13:10

I'm not on any social media other than mn for this kind of reason i cant even be bothered to see it. Our Elf forgot 😑 yep first day grand entrance that was turning up under a hat on the front door just as we was leaving this morning I'm over it already

Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese · 01/12/2020 13:10

I've not seen any balloon arrivals.
Most of the elves my friends have are in isolation jars until the 14th which I think is a clever way of getting out of moving it 😂

Ifailed · 01/12/2020 13:10

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Paddingtonthebear · 01/12/2020 13:11

WTF has renting got to do with it? Does it make someone a lesser person?!

Ironically, our rent is twice the amount of most of our friends mortgage repayments.

Christmasbiscuit · 01/12/2020 13:11

I just stick to the traditional elf on the shelf story but it's gone way beyond on that now.

SionnachRua · 01/12/2020 13:11

God I hate those bloody elves. Still haven't forgiven the parent who sent one in as a class present...yeah thanks for trying to extend my working day there love! I'd either have to be until wraparound care is over or before breakfast club starts.

Gancanny · 01/12/2020 13:14

From my social media it tends to be people renting/lower salaries ironically that have done this.

Important question, how big are their flatscreen TVs? Its not proper sneering at people in rented accommodation with low paid jobs unless you mention the massive TV, multiple children, and top-up benefits.

If you're going to goad, do it right.

TheWernethWife · 01/12/2020 13:15

My daughter has a relative who buys into all this, elves around the front room in various poses, family all wearing Christmas jumpers for photos.

Whatever floats their boats I suppose.

DenholmReynholm · 01/12/2020 13:17

If only they had stopped wasting money on elf balloons, they could have made it onto the property ladder by now.

DH does our elf, so I'm pretty sure it's not exclusive to women.

ipushmyfingersintomyeyes · 01/12/2020 13:17

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zigaziga · 01/12/2020 13:17

@SionnachRua

God I hate those bloody elves. Still haven't forgiven the parent who sent one in as a class present...yeah thanks for trying to extend my working day there love! I'd either have to be until wraparound care is over or before breakfast club starts.
A parent did what?

And do you actually move the elf about before they get in every day? Ugh. What a dick move from them.

Sweettea1 · 01/12/2020 13:18

Our elf is still in the cupboard where I put him after Xmas dd 5 hasn't mentioned him so he will stay there until she does certainly won't pay £15 for a balloon to then pop it our elf will just appear sitting in the tree no present maybe a little note but thats all.

CatherineSanderson · 01/12/2020 13:19

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Lisa78Lemon · 01/12/2020 13:20

Kudos to the entrepreneurs who thought of this during a global recession. Presumably people are buying from UK businesses. I don't see the harm?