Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Elf of the shelf

49 replies

Staryflight445 · 09/12/2021 21:27

I’m starting to think this ‘trend’ is quite abusive after seeing multiple videos of parents cutting up their child’s pjs (that theyre wearing) whilst they’re asleep.

Can you imagine if someone told you they did this separate to this elf trend? You’d be absolutely appalled and really concerned.

This really isn’t ok, is it? When are people going to realise they’re going too far with this?

OP posts:
HairyScaryMonster · 09/12/2021 21:32

I think it all depends how the child responds, I know mine wouldn't like it but others would take it in the fun that was intended.

EatYourVegetables · 09/12/2021 21:32

It’s not the trend or the elf being abusive, it’s parents crossing the line from mischief to creepiness.

Hotelhelp · 09/12/2021 21:33

Fuck elf on the shelf.

sploshsplash · 09/12/2021 21:36

The Elf is a knob and I hate it... I'm a complete Scrooge I'm afraid when it comes to the elf. I dislike the pressure it's caused and the irritating guilt I feel for not doing it and that my daughter is missing out by me not doing it.

ChangeChingyChange · 09/12/2021 21:37

I havent seen anything like that, sounds awful my daughter would hate that. We do have elf of the shelf but we just move him around the house in funny poses or he brings her treats like a chocolate coin etc. Anything further than that is crazy and people need to chill out, cutting up pjs your child is wearing is weird and horrible.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 09/12/2021 21:38

Cutting pj's? Never seen that. Just people being a bit silly.

HangingDitch · 09/12/2021 21:38

It’s just absolute utter nonsense. Who has time for this shit?

AmyandPhilipfan · 09/12/2021 21:38

I never really understand why parents make the elves be naughty. Surely Santa only employs good, kind elves, so they should be doing good, kind things in children’s houses? Or are these meant to be elves Santa has fired? Anyway, this is one tradition I am happy not to join in with.

JayAlfredPrufrock · 09/12/2021 21:39

It’s definitely true that you get too old for this world.

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 09/12/2021 21:40

Today our elf played a board game with each of DDs favourite soft toy. Thats the normal level of silliness amongst my friends.

NewPapaGuinea · 09/12/2021 21:41

I wonder who the Elf/Shelf thing is for. Parents seem to so it for SM “likes” or put up a “woe is me” post that they’ve forgotten and curse that blasted Elf! You’re the one bloody choosing to do it!

Sead · 09/12/2021 21:41

I hate the elf but he doesn't do anything "abusive" it depends on the child mine wouldn't sleep again if she thought he was coming in through the night and chopping up her clothes but some children may find this amusing, it's a call for the parents I think on how far they can take it.

Original poster
Staryflight445 · 09/12/2021 21:42

Perhaps I’m a killjoy but I can’t imagine any child would enjoy waking up to their pjs being cut up.

So many people commenting on one of the videos saying how lucky the children are having a mum that makes Christmas so magical 😕

I’d imagine many of these children will become absolutely terrified.

OP posts:
mafted · 09/12/2021 21:47

Presumably the vast majority of parents can gauge how their own child will react to having their pyjamas cut.
My friends 'elves' changed her children's bedding into Christmas bedding while they slept, her children thought it was fantastic. Mine would wake up in an instant so I wouldn't attempt it.

sociallydistained · 09/12/2021 21:51

Saw one today of the elf cutting PJs and the kids in the video seemed upset about his PJs (they looked decent!). My sister in law did this too and drew all over my nephews face.
I don’t like it 🙈 I just think what are we teaching kids here, that they can’t sleep soundly and be messed about with whilst they sleep? I’m pregnant with my first and won’t be doing Elf at all… I also feel it’s making a rod for your own back anyway and I’m too lazy!

BatShitBitchChops · 09/12/2021 21:52

Cutting up pjs is creepy as hell. Our elf has been 'toasty' with his arms in toast, has turned the milk into elf milk which was green, and various silly bits, this morning he had a giant plaster on his head as he fell over in Santa's toy workshop. He always leaves a little note too. Our DD is loving it, but I don't go to the extremes I see online, wrapping entire kitchens and the like.

Hotelhelp · 09/12/2021 21:52

None of it is even funny. I think the kids are humouring their parents and pretending to find it funny.

Normandy144 · 09/12/2021 21:59

I hate the elf. I have been steadfast in my refusal to get one but this year the pleading has been worse (apparently they're the only children who don't have an elf). I just don't need to add this to the list of shite I have to do in December.

frogsbreath · 09/12/2021 22:01

@Hotelhelp

None of it is even funny. I think the kids are humouring their parents and pretending to find it funny.
I think this is exactly right, the households I know doing it have children year 5/6 and they know its nonsense but the mums like posting their hilarious elf antics on Facebook or tick-tock every day.
TheKeatingFive · 09/12/2021 22:01

Our elf does things like hide in the teapot.

It's not the elf that's the problem here ...

TheKeatingFive · 09/12/2021 22:02

but the mums like posting their hilarious elf antics on Facebook or tick-tock every day.

None of my friends put their elf on SM. Is that then okay?

cadburyegg · 09/12/2021 22:07

I've never done anything mad like that. Our elf does things like change eggs into kinder eggs and build snowmen out of toilet roll. My kids would freak out if anything of theirs was damaged. It's supposed to be a bit of fun for kids, not scary!

Darkpheonix · 09/12/2021 22:09

We had an elf. We didn't go with the 'they will report you if you naughty' line though.

But also neither did we do anything that would upset the kids. We would do things like have it sat on the lightshade or make it look like it was playing on our xbox all night.

Ds said he didnt like it anymore when he was 8 and elf has been in my underwear drawer since.

Neither did I post photos.

Your problem is with people, not the concept of the ELF. No one is forced to cut up their kids pj's because there's an elf.

Darkpheonix · 09/12/2021 22:11

@mafted

Presumably the vast majority of parents can gauge how their own child will react to having their pyjamas cut. My friends 'elves' changed her children's bedding into Christmas bedding while they slept, her children thought it was fantastic. Mine would wake up in an instant so I wouldn't attempt it.
How on earth did they manage that? Ds would wake up the minute I went in.....i am slightly jealous their kids sleep so deeply. 🤣
Ilikecheeseontoast · 09/12/2021 22:15

I don’t post pics of our elves (we have 3! One for each child) they are ‘cheeky elves’ rather than naughty and don’t spy on kids etc, they just come to play. No pyjama cutting around here! Mine absolutely love it and I love seeing their reactions each morning.