Should I start this Elf thing

[Iwashappyonceuponatime]

Or not go there?

Dd is 4. The elf on the shelf thing looks quite fun…but…should I commit or will I forever have to do it? Is it annoying or fun and where do you even get the elf from 🙈🤷🏻‍♀️

No!!!!!

@AnnoyedByAlfieBear 🤣Why not?

Fuck no!!

@Whyisitsodifficult Whyyyyy, what’s so bad about it?

Just don’t

Dear God no.

No. You’ll turn into one of those dickheads on social media trashing you OWN home each night and posting about it.

It started just after my daughter was the age for it , thank goodness. It looks like a massive palaver; maybe worth it if you plan to put it on Instagram every morning.

You'll be waking with a start at 4am going "FUCK!!! THE ELF HASN'T MOVED!!"

No. Don’t go there.
Or if you do, keep it to the original and simple premise, in that the elf finds a new place to watch from every day. Don’t have him hang gliding in to mess shit up for Instagram.

I’m so grateful that the elf came along after mine were too old for it. Yassss.

No.

Don’t do it.

Step away from any elf.

Millions of children in the past have managed to get through the christmas season without elf on the shelf and weren’t left scarred.
Biggest load of rubbish ever.

No don't do it, or you'll be doing it for the next six years or something.

I’m peevishly hoping that the elf falls out of favour and fashion soon.

No. I cannot stress that enough. No.

We have a soft cuddly elf. He's lazy. Arrives 1st December with the advent calendar. Leaves sometime in the new year. Well, used to, he hasn't left at all this year. He occasionally moves at night but nothing more than that. Otherwise he gets carried around, talked to, slept with, etc. He's perfect.

Do not start the daily elf on the shelf nonsense. You have enough to do as a mum without adding this into your life.

Absolutely not. The worst idea ever. You get into your bed at night, get comfy and realise the fucking elf needs moved somewhere. Ours doesn't do anything interesting but God I wish we'd never started. My DS is now old enough not to be bothered but my DD can't wait for the elf to arrive. I think this year he'll be a good couple of weeks late due to working overtime at the North Pole.

The elves look really creepy

In fact, this is my annual public service announcement

I'm so glad this wasn't around when mine were young, although hopefully I wouldn't have done it anyway. It's bad enough trying to remember to put a coin under their pillow for the tooth fairy, never mind think up a novel thing EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. You can buy them anywhere, at least you could a few years ago, pound shops etc, and they are horrible and creepy.

Basically just don't do it.

But but but…it seems quite fun 😬does he arrive on 1st December? When does he go and what is he there for? And where on earth do you buy them (I’m abroad so could be that, there’s none in shops here)

I mean, what is the point in him, what do you say to your child? Has he come to live in your house for a bit? I don’t actually bloody know 😂

I didn't and don't regret it, my children once questioned why we didn't have an elf, I just replied that he wasn't helpful and kind and therefore not welcome 🤣🤣🤣

Shit no, do yourself a favour.
I've just got our advent stuff out of the loft and DC2 spotted the bleeding elf which they nagged their way to get me to do a couple of years ago. We've had some good laughs because I have been recklessly, desperately anti-elf in my little set-ups, but hell, it really is no picnic thinking of new 'pranks' every day. I told DC2 we'd picked a lazy elf who would only bother to mess around every few days, and DC2 has accepted this without question.

Five minute mum had a good thing on this. There are ways to use it positively. But i hate the naughty elf that messes up your home and watches you to tell father christmas if you're naughty.

I know someone who has kindness elves who turn up to spread cheer and kindness. No threats of you wont get presents etc. No mess. They basically sit on the shelf and move a little and sometimes make suggestions for activities or bring jokes. Probably only about 2 a week so not bad and things like ' lets make christmas cards' and they have some paper and gliter or whatever and sometimes some tins and lets donate to the food bank. That i dont have so much issue with. But still not really needed. Whats wrong with an advent calendar. Isnt december busy enough?

No. Don't do it.

Ours just sits on the shelf and only moves when youngest is naughty so I can say 'ooh don't forget the elf is watching'

But it's actually pretty creepy and I don't like it. Plus they are sold everywhere now so it takes the magic away when they see them in the shops.