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Original poster

Anyone else feel bad they’ve not done elf on the shelf?

140 replies

Blackdore · 01/12/2023 12:44

My son is 5 and we’ve never done it. I was considering it this year, but I decided not to…DP thinks it’s ridiculous.

I’m now seeing posts on Facebook, instagram and TikTok showing the elf doing silly things and not just the elf, but also a 1st December box, a North Pole breakfast etc etc.

My son got an advent calendar and that is it!

OP posts:
SutWytTi · 01/12/2023 13:08

helloooitsmeee · 01/12/2023 13:00

YANBU however, I did make a last minute dash to Home Bargains last night to pick up an elf, as I didn't want my LG to go into pre-school and feel like she was missing out

This is a bad habit to get into, because when your DD is 15 and being pressured by friends to do something unwise, you want her be storng enough to stand by her own choices.

So do the elf or don't do it, but don't do anything just because 'everyone else does'.

Elastica23 · 01/12/2023 13:08

I'm really glad I never did it. I would never have kept it up and find it rather creepy, not charming or funny.

I wouldn't have liked it as a kid. Someone bought me a wooden Pinocchio and I wasn't keen. If that had started "moving" from where I'd left it, I'd have run away from home.

OnceUponAPileOFWashing · 01/12/2023 13:10

Nope. Fuck that. I tried it one year and my DD didn't care and it was a pain in the arse every evening. I haven't bothered since then. It's just more Christmas crap mums have to do at Christmas time.

Boredboredbo · 01/12/2023 13:10

Nope…in fact the opposite, scrolled through a couple of Facebook posts this morning where the ‘elf’ has delivered a huge pile of presents and chocolates for 1st December. It’s just 🤢 and I’m glad I’m not them! A way to take the magic out of Christmas

CatherineStandish · 01/12/2023 13:11

DD has 3 advent calendars 🤣. One felt one from my childhood, the chocolate one I bought and a Lego one her dad bought. We are hardly denying the joy. But no elf.

I told her you need to apply for the elf and I didn’t because we don’t worry about this naughty business and who has time for such nonsense. She is 7. She does not believe me, but I insist and so far she accepts it. That is my line. I did not apply for one because I don’t worry about her being naughty.

torpids · 01/12/2023 13:12

My advice would be not to bother looking at all the socials. Enjoy your own celebrations and games that you like.

Beezknees · 01/12/2023 13:12

Nah. Wasn't a thing when my DS was young. I still buy him an advent calendar though and he's nearly 16 😂

CrispsandCheeseSandwich · 01/12/2023 13:13

Nope. Never done it, never will, and don't feel at all guilty.

Strugglingtodomybest · 01/12/2023 13:13

There's no way that I had the head space for this when my kids were younger. It would have tipped me over the edge I reckon!

I also think it's really creepy. My oldest freaked out at the thought of the Easter bunny, so I don't think the elf would have gone down too well.

Lovesgreen · 01/12/2023 13:14

My daughter loves the Elf coming, nothing to do with social media or WhatsApp groups. He just appears to bring the advent calendar and then moves around the house in funny positions. It's a bit of fun all the family join in with. I would just say once you start it if the kids love it you do feel like you have to do it every year as it becomes part of their joy of the run up to Christmas. You do run out of ideas!

TheClitterati · 01/12/2023 13:14

don't do it - you don't have to. I never did and it became massive when my DC were young. I hate it. Best Xmas ad ever is the women clobbering the elf with a baseball bat.

Do watch the movie Elf though - that is brilliant!

BogRollBOGOF · 01/12/2023 13:14

Mine are at the end of childish wonder and approaching the teen years so Elf on the Shelf was a pretty new thing when they were little. The first couple of years, the SM posts were funny and novel but I had the sense to realise it was more than I would reasonably cope with keeping on top of. And then it became a chore and lost its novelty to most. I'm glad I never did it and DS2 only ever mentioned it once, so I don't think that they've been deprived.

evtheria · 01/12/2023 13:15

Nope!

IAmAnIdiot123 · 01/12/2023 13:16

I even forgot to get the advent calender out before nursery this morning op so wouldn't worry about it. Elf on the shelf is not something I consider an integral part of Christmas.

LlynTegid · 01/12/2023 13:17

OP, good on you, keep not doing it. Don't fall for yet another excuse to spend more.

Baneofmyexistence · 01/12/2023 13:29

I don’t feel bad. I do not need the extra pressure at this time of year! We have xmas pjs (which we actually bought a few weeks ago and have been wearing them and will do all year round as I hate wasting clothes!) and they have a chocolate advent calendar. We are booked to see Father Christmas in a couple of weeks and the tree will go up next weekend. We go on light walks (local houses, not a paid one), watch xmas films, they are going to a panto with school. That is absolutely enough!

Patchworksack · 01/12/2023 13:31

Not for a single second.

PianPianPiano · 01/12/2023 13:32

Nope. They've been around in the UK for 10 years at most, purely a commercial gimmick (which you can see by how much additional tat you can now buy for your 'elf' - elf costumes, accessories, elf themed sweets and clothing and everything else under the sun). It was something invented by an author to sell a book and a toy. So no, I don't feel in the slightest bit guilty for not doing it!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 01/12/2023 13:32

I’ve never done it! I think it’s only gathered traction in the past few years as a widely done thing, so mine were just that bit older that I didn’t feel I had to.

I just don’t think parents need something like that to give them another thing to worry about!

So don’t feel bad at all!

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 01/12/2023 13:32

PianPianPiano · 01/12/2023 13:32

Nope. They've been around in the UK for 10 years at most, purely a commercial gimmick (which you can see by how much additional tat you can now buy for your 'elf' - elf costumes, accessories, elf themed sweets and clothing and everything else under the sun). It was something invented by an author to sell a book and a toy. So no, I don't feel in the slightest bit guilty for not doing it!

Maybe been around 10 years but I reckon only been widespread for the last 3/4

Mischance · 01/12/2023 13:34

Your poor deprived child! Send for Social Services!

Elf on the shelf was not a feature of our Christmases. My DC appear to have survived this unscathed!

Sarasara1983 · 01/12/2023 13:38

Did it with the right Older ones and was honestly such a pain remembering to move elf every night 😂 and our elf never even did anything.

I really can’t be bothered doing it for toddler but the older kids really want to do it for their sibling so I’m passing the responsibility on hahah

Fluffyc1ouds · 01/12/2023 13:41

Nope, I'm with your DP. I have a 5 year but elf on the shelf is ridiculous.

jolaylasofia · 01/12/2023 13:43

absolutely not. whoever started this sillyness is a moron. got better things to do in all honesty and they look sinister to me.

Sauvblanctime · 01/12/2023 13:44

nah

fuck that elf

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