About elf on the shelf balloons...

[Grapeexpectations]

As if the single use plastic issue wasn't bad enough, now I'm seeing Elf on the Shelf 'reveal' balloons being advertised on Facebook.
(If you haven't seen them it's a big balloon with the elf inside that you pop to reveal the elf, but decorated with lots of accessory balloons). What's wrong with hiding it in a cupboard with a note? Or in a box?

AIBU to think that balloons deserve the same treatment that plastic straws have had? I also feel the same way about the trend for balloon arches for what it's worth....thanks, Instagram.

(Aware that there are hundreds of examples of wasteful and unecessary plastic use but this is what's grinding my gears at the moment)

YABU: balloons bring people joy, let them get on with it.
YANBU: balloons are unecessary. There are plenty of other ways to reveal things and decorate arches.

Balloons are popping up everywhere. I’ve seen parents have balloons for the first day of school, Halloween, arches for birthdays, baby showers etc. Completely unnecessary. YANBU.

What @AllTheCakes said! It's got ridiculous.

I saw something about an elf on the shelf leaving present yesterday. I'm sorry, but surely fecking Christmas being the day the elf leaves is gift enough?!

Thing is, the elf sets a precedent. He has to then do this shit every day, then every year. I have a friend who could fill a skip with all the elf waste. He does shit like arrive in a balloon with six million other balloons, then he wraps up every item (and I mean every item) in the kitchen. A month of this shit. I am torn as this friend must spend hours doing this stuff and it's sweet in a way. But also unnecessary, wasteful, showy and annoying. Bah! Humbug!

My friend got a Halloween one, filled with sweets and had the kids names on 🤷‍♀️ just seems a waste of money to me.

Fucking hell, what new horror is this? As if elf on the shelf isn’t bad enough. And don’t get me started on Christmas Eve boxes. Thank God I had kids a few years ago before all this nonsense!

I have never engaged with elf on a shelf so I’m already firmly in the bah humbug camp. But YANBU!

I actually didn't think of this (not very climate change/plastic/vegan etc conscious ) and had admired the elf on the shelf balloon but you're absolutely right and I now won't be buying one. You've kind of opened my eyes about it all actually.

@SummerHouse

Thing is, the elf sets a precedent. He has to then do this shit every day, then every year. I have a friend who could fill a skip with all the elf waste. He does shit like arrive in a balloon with six million other balloons, then he wraps up every item (and I mean every item) in the kitchen. A month of this shit. I am torn as this friend must spend hours doing this stuff and it's sweet in a way. But also unnecessary, wasteful, showy and annoying. Bah! Humbug!

My ds was desperate to do elf on the shelf about 2 years ago, because the teacher had one in the class and all the kids seemed to have th at home so I obliged. I think I did it for 3 nights but it was daft things like him climbing the Christmas tree, or eating a chocolate bar. I ran out of ideas very quickly and I just don't know how people can be arsed! I've got enough to do and remember without another of that. Luckily ds got bored quite quickly too, probably because I was so shit at it 🤣

I think for the amount of people going ott with balloons it's almost a non issue compared to other single use plastics. I can't for example buy certain meats, fruits, cheeses, yogurts etc without it coming in a plastic container. Which sometimes isn't able to be recycled. Really think we should start by making changes that will make the most difference.

It's a bit like the Halloween threads last week. You've got posters fretting that someone else is buying their DC a Halloween costume, fair enough it can be wasteful. But what's going to make more difference, the one extra outfit a year or the 'disposable' outfits coming out of Primark for example. The same will start with Christmas jumpers soon and posters will be along to say what a waste while some of them will be buying new clothes every week. Shopping is just a hobby for some and the occasional buyers aren't as much of a problem.

It's not just elf on the shelf balloons. It's any balloons - balloons are used for a lot of special occasions. My local Morrison's always has those small balloons on a stick right by the till for kids to play up for - valentines, Halloween, Easter, Christmas etc etc etc. Those really gripe me with the sticks too. Also the massive balloon arches that seem to be in - I don't have the patience for that shit. Also those huge happy birthday individual letter balloons - I've been guilty of buying one of but I do try and pass them on using Facebook so it gets re used for another child. They stay up for ages if air filled.

I'm not against balloons. We don't tend to use many these days. Not just because of the environmental issues - but because our dog goes mad for them 😅 I do tend to buy dc one small helium balloon age for their birthday though - just no latex balloons as the dog goes mad over them as I said!

Also, this has just reminded me that the bastard elf will be back soon - sign!

Yanbu. Balloons are overused for all occasions, one or two is fine but I see large balloon arches plus a room full of random balloons.
I have managed to get away with the elf on the shelf so far, DC 13 and 6.
6 y.o is very excited for Mr Elf to visit he was terrified previous years, dreading it.

Elf on the Shelf is ridiculous and unnecessary whether it comes with balloons or not. I don't know when the hell it started but my childhood Christmases were wonderful without it!

We're fond of balloons in our house, though nothing fancy, and I'm not sure I'd pinpoint them as a worst offender when it comes to single use plastics.

Excited for the arrival of our elf though (he won't come in a balloon )

Elf on the Shelf is ridiculous and unnecessary whether it comes with balloons or not. I don't know when the hell it started but my childhood Christmases were wonderful without it!

My kids love it. I'm sure there are things about your childhood Christmas that others would find 'ridiculous and unnecessary' but each to their own.

I agree that it's foolish to focus attention on the big ostentatious once a year examples. Change the mindset and behaviour of the everyday first and these things will follow.

We have elf on the shelf, but we sacrifice the advent calendar for it. Might get a balloon this year as you know what, my kids would love it. Don’t see it as being any worse than the paper advent calendars with plastic inserts.

In the grand scheme of Christmas I think this is the least of our worries. We do our bit with smart choices through the year, but jeez it’s one balloon.

@popcornriver I agree with you! I'm sure debate would be endless about what's more or less important in the grand scheme of things. Was just pondering the complete unnecessary-ness of balloons in particular.

(Also didn't mean to start a debate about Elf on the Shelf as a concept - but that's Mumsnet for you! )

The elf on the shelf balloons have been a thing for a few years, the pop me ones are biodegradable 🤷🏻‍♀️

I slagged off 'elf on the shelf' once and was made to feel like a Puritan.

I'm going to slag it off again, now

It's utterly ridiculous , has gone over the top and , dare I say this, parents have no idea how children feel about this when things go wrong for them at school. Some are terrified that they'll lose Christmas presents!

It's very sinister.

Never heard of them until now.

Some are terrified that they'll lose Christmas presents!

Our elf has nothing to do with Christmas presents, he just lives around the house.

It's very sinister.

Sorry moves around the house

I absolutely hate balloons not only for the environmental reasons stated but I'm allergic to latex and whereas they seem to have changed in more recent years, it was the powder and smell that would set me off previously, if I was anywhere near them. Where I worked, we had corporate events sometimes in the evenings and people would often find it funny to leave the left over balloons on my desk as a joke. I did used to point out I'm sure they wouldn't force feed anyone allergic to food said food!!! but somehow me coming out in a blotchy red face was funny.

@TheKeatingFive

Spend some time in a year 1 class in the run up to Christmas. The children became obsessed by it .
Just saying.