Why the hate for Elf and lights and all things Christmassy?

[funkylittlegoldfinch]

Seen a couple threads re this and the utter bile directed at these subjects is just beyond! You don't want Xmas lights all over your house?? Fine! Don't do it! You don't like Elf on a shelf? Don't do it!! Your don't wanna put your Christmas tree early? Don't! It really is just that simple! Why the outrage? Not your electric bill not your monkeys! Who gives a fuck?

Elf is common. And creepy. And consumerist crap of the worst kind.

It’s a soft toy moved around the house.

You sound a bit deranged coming out with that. 🤣

Actually I think how many lights you have etc can be an issue if you e.g. have them outside.

My parents have a neighbour who have so many lights it takes them two weeks to put them up, and they are so bright that the opposite neighbour can’t sleep at night.

Similarly there used to be someone who lived in my town who had massive displays,reindeers and sleds and all the other Christmas type stuff, and his display became so well known that people would flock there to see it and would end up clogging up the streets for the people who also lived there.

I think it’s fine to do what you want in your own home, but not when it affects other people.

I wish people would just be honest on threads like this and say that they don't like the elf (or other things that are perceived as common) because they feel they are too good and wouldn't want to do anything that people may associate with the working classes. Instead of all the 'think of the children' shit. Should no parents ever take their children abroad because others will miss out? Not do swimming/ gymnastics/ dance because other parents can't afford it?

Most of the people I'm friends with do the elf in a low key way. I mainly associate with nurses, teachers etc. It's just a bit of fun, takes a minute to move them from a shelf to under the Christmas tree or whatever. It's not a huge effort for most people (and fair enough if people want to do more).

Not this then?

Not this then?

Some elves do stuff like this presumably. Some do much tamer things. Some just move. Some don’t even do that. It’s a wide spectrum,

Some people just hate Christmas

And others just find it annoying because that's not their style. It's a thread not an order.

And others just find it annoying because that's not their style.

And that’s cool. But surely an appropriate response would be not to do it themselves, rather than pile insults on those who do.

What I have noticed is the ‘hun’ type of woman who are frequently criticised on here have no judgment towards the snobbery of the middle class mother who is too tasteful for lights outside her house or naughty elves and believe children should receive nothing more than a tangerine, a book and a pair of pyjamas for Christmas, anything else is tacky and a waste, plastic tat and all that. The huns must be too busy enjoying their lives to be judgemental and nasty. I am neither a ‘hun’ nor middle class but I know who I would rather have as a friend.

You think there's no criticism of middle class women or middle class things on here?! You can't have been looking very hard.

@lazylinguist seriously no, I don’t see any criticism of the middle classes from the so called huns who I presume are working class?
I have no axe to grind, I am neither but know both and the warmth and friendship I receive from girlfriends who would be considered huns on here is second to none. My middle class friends are definitely more reserved and judgemental.

Hide Thread/Topic function is v useful on here.

I am neither but know both and the warmth and friendship I receive from girlfriends who would be considered huns on here is second to none. My middle class friends are definitely more reserved and judgemental.

Both sound likestereotypes to me tbh. There are also obviously plenty of warm, friendly middle class women and judgemental working class women.

I think people have an issue with the increasing commercialisation, OP.
Elf on the shelf, christmas eve boxes, christmas jumpers, and now christmas pyjamas. All things that have been deliberately introduced over the last few years in order to get people spending more money.

Totally agree with this statement, pure commercialism. Kids mithering their parents, parents thinking they have to do this so their kids won't be left out, madness.

Seems like you can have a lot of fun with Elf! I quite fancy one myself now

If I got one that was made of recycled organic lentil waste and used it year in, year out, would that be OK?

Totally agree with this statement, pure commercialism.

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. You don’t think there are better targets in the war against commercialism than the elf that cost me a fiver, currently reporting for his 4th year of service?

I’ve spent more on a coffee (and cake).

"No seriously, I don't know what it is for certain. I pay little attention to social media and have no children."

Fair enough @ViciousJackdaw

@Dustballs however appears regularly on these threads pretending to never have heard of these things

Was going to say YABU, people can think what they like but then read some of the judgemental and 'it's common' posts

I don't see how the elf is even seen as overly commercialised. Don't they cost a couple of pounds? And if people are using it one month a year surely it gets put in the loft to come back out next time rather than going out and buying another. I'm sure as well that any Christmas crafts or small treats parents have it bring would have been purchased regardless in the run up to Christmas. I'm surprised the playmobil/crayola/lego etc advent calanders haven't been moaned about yet!

But I do understand why you'd be annoyed if your neighbours lights were keeping you up all night.

Actually take back my last comment about only needing one elf. DDog must have been worried about us being seen as too common and tore the bloody thing to bits one night last year

I don't see the point in covering your house in lights. You're inside and can't see them, you're just inflicting them on others.

This - flashing lights are a trigger for me so I am now effectively confined to the house from 4pm every day until January.

Because this is MN, and on MN it is a competition to be the least caringest about something whilst being wide eyed and confused about how you just "don't understand", because all your children get for Christmas are an orange and a second hand abacus. Bonus points for sticking the boot in about people who rent their homes or who are on low incomes.

Thank goodness my dc are adults, they would have loved Elf on a shelf I would have hated it, trying to come up with new ideas every night, and every year (my dc had memories like an elephant), but I do find some of the cleverer ones on SM funny like the chocolate iced gems. I've also never been a fan of outdoor lights. Having said that we had our own family traditions which my dc remember fondly, like being driven around the streets at night by their dad to look at other peoples outdoor decorations and coming home and telling me the winner

I prefer to keep my judgments to myself each to their own and all that.

@TheSmallAssassin agreed; the only thing I dislike about it is the extra pressure it creates to do yet another thing. The teachers in my daughters school do an elf in the classroom which is brilliant and I'm so grateful for!

I find it repulsive when people are snobby and call others common or huns. Really quite disgusting, looking down at someone else. It's bitchy and unnecessary. No need to be a fan of everything everyone does, but also no need to get worked up about it.