Bloody Elf turns up in a balloon now

[DressingGownofDoom]

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 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.

I have a full time job, we have an elf (sometimes two, if her friend pops in for a visit). My daughter (and son before he outgrew it) love the elf. I'd love for it to disappear but it brings them joy and takes me 5 mins a day so why not.

My company have actually shared a full months worth of ideas with us this year as part of our remote working Christmas fun. Guess you can work and have an elf after all.

Oh god, what a load of crap. Waste of resources. Waste of money. Overspoiling.

Excess material goods don't make children happy.

@ArosGartref

Remember that class markers are changing all the time so strictly speaking it's a lump of coal for every child whose mother doesn't have a post grad qualification.

I just burst out laughing at that! Such a generalisation and in many cases totally incorrect. Your ignorance is hilarious

Blimey I started the thread and I rent. I had no idea I was someone who looks down on renters. Maybe I should rush out and get a balloon elf?

Why judge other people? Maybe they like the elf? If you don’t like it, don’t do it but don’t criticise others. Everyone has a right to live life as they please and if they want to put an elf in a balloon so be it.

Maybe stop comparing yourself to other people OP and just live and let live.

I'm in a council flat oop North and no elf here. My friend in Essex makes the elf in balloon thing though and they're very popular where she lives.

So many snobby, miserable people altogether on one thread. Merry Christmas eh?

@Cheeseycheeseycheesecheese

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 😂

we have just done exactly this... Aus has hard borders for elves and all this year....

I wonder if when you apply for a mortgage you have to put how much elf expensive per year and it gets rejected if you spend too much.

We live with my Nan and had explained that we were doing this left elves in living room, had movie night, popcorn on floor, DVDs left out etc. She gets up early all the time, swept it all up, put it all away, elves in you box etc. We gave up

Blimey I started the thread and I rent.

That’s the thing about looking down on others. You’ll never be at the top. Try not to be so judgemental in future if you don’t like it I suppose. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@BadTattoosAndSmellLikeBooze

Blimey I started the thread and I rent.

That’s the thing about looking down on others. You’ll never be at the top. Try not to be so judgemental in future if you don’t like it I suppose. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Well to be fair, I don't think OP intended to spark the MN class obsession, but she must be pretty new to MN not to realise how threads about Christmas decor and traditions always go.

I am actually a bit torn on this one because I do avoid balloons for environmental purposes. Can't see any problems with moving a soft toy on a shelf to delight your kids at Christmas, though.

I don't know what lobster ravioli's game is but I want it on record that I was being sarcastic.

As a primary school teacher, I hate the bloody elf on the shelf!! I've had some really upset little year ones on my hands when they don't get the elf and their friends come in full of it!! Then I upset the kids going on about it by shutting their excitement down pretty quickly so they don't upset the others!!

I dont think poor people should be allowed to enjoy Christmas. Don't they have jobs to look for or something?

First year doing EOTS after my DC saw it on YouTube (I know I know).
I’m actually enjoying thinking up some things for him to do but then it has been a quiet couple of months...

I don't think its necessarily mums trying to compete with each other/show of. I have someone on my facebook who is often posting pictures of the instagram worthy activities they get up to (think beautifully decorated cardboard box boat to suprise the kids during lockdown). She posted a picture of a display type table set up with the elves on either end and a fancy wooden advent calender and all sorts of decorations. It was like something out of Harrods. But she isnt doing it to make other people feel bad, she is a sweet person who is also very creative (and has more artistic talent than me) and who gets over the top enthusiastic about things. I dont do Elf on the Shelf because fuck that. But it isnt hurting anyone to do it (in fact it must be magical for her kids) . Also its true men don't tend to do elf on the shelf, but many often partake in other pursuits/hobbies such as gaming, fishing, cycling etc that probably take up more time and money and have no intrinsic value either.

How did an elf on the shelf thread turn into an excuse to have a dig at gasp people who rent and shock people on low incomes? Good old MN.

To summarise, do it if you want to, dont do it if you dont want to. I think this Christmas will be more full on generally because everyone is trying to make up for a shitty year.

You are always going to get parents who love to publish their lives on social media to show off how many presents they buy etc. Just have to ignore it and I actually feel sorry for those people who feel like they have to achieve a certain expectation.

Our elf arrived today with the advent calendar. He’s now sitting in the Christmas tree and will get up to some mischief whilst he’s here. But it’s just a bit of fun and a bit of Christmas magic to the end of a pretty crap year! It doesn’t have to be extravagant.

They tend to live 'up north' as well, so I'm told.

Doubtful, the bastard elf would get battered up here. What with our low household income and huge amount of renters.

Who the actual fuck has a full time job and time for elf on the shelf?

Of course, my full time job means I have no time for anything fun or festive.

Nobody is forcing you to look. Oh, hang on. You are forcing you to look.

Imagine how pissed off we would all be if we spent our time deliberately looking at things that annoy us.

Also, I rent and am (gasp) a single parent as well with not much disposable income. But I don't do Elf on a Shelf so that blows that theory out of the water.