telling child Elf on the Shelf isn’t really

[toastofthetown]

Academic for me at the moment because mine is still a baby, but I really don’t want to do Elf on the Shelf. I hate the surveillance aspect of Father Christmas anyway without bringing an elf snitch into the house. But they are so popular, I’m sure my child will ask at some point why we don’t have an elf so would I be unreasonable to say that we don’t have an elf because the elves aren’t real and it’s the parents doing it all? I’d say not to say anything but children do talk among themselves. I don’t want to spoil any other family’s magic who love it, but ultimately it’s the reason we won’t have an elf and it’s something that won’t make my child feel lesser for not having one.

Oh fgs, are you quite alright?

I thought it was funny

Fair enough 🤷‍♀️

We never did it and my 2 never even knew about it

I've always told my daughter from the start, that Santa is not real or the tooth fairy etc, she is 7 now, and hasn't told her friends, I've just mentioned we will let there parents tell them when there ready, she is more then happy I have never lied to her, but still gets to many presents tho 😄

We never did the elf. When my kids asked why I just said that we don’t need the elf because I’ve got Santa’s phone number and if they are naughty I just call him and tell him myself.

Child: Mum, can we do elf on a shelf?
Mum: No!
Child: But whyyyyy?
Mum; Because he’s a twat.

Meanwhile, at school….

Teacher: Has the elf been to you at home?
Child: No!
Teacher: Why?
Child: Because my mum said he’s a twat.

Nope, nope, nope.
The only time this has ever come up with my children (11 and 8) they asked why they don’t have an elf, because their school asked them to bring in shoebox diorama of their elf. One per family.
It was an extra credit piece that “everyone can enjoy making a home for their elf” except we don’t have one and will not be getting one. I had a fit at the school and they cancelled the whole thing and don’t have elves now

I’ve done the elf for 8 years now but none of my friends with kids do. It really isn’t as popular as social media makes out. Don’t sweat it! Plenty of people don’t do it.

My daughter did elf for our grandson so when he stayed with us over Christmas we did it too. I swapped ideas with my niece who has small kids and used the internet. It was good fun. He's now fully aware that Santa isn't real and I asked whether elf would be coming this year and he said yes because he finds it hilarious. I don't think it needs to be a big deal and if you don't like the idea don't do it. Christmas can be stressful enough

I never did it, I told DC I had enough to do without moving an elf around each night. DS11 not remotely bothered DD14 will probably have a very extravagant elf for her own children.

Never did the elf. My eldest is 20 and it wasn't really a thing then. There's nearly a decade between my kids but by the time I had youngest our traditions were pretty embedded and elf wasn't included.

Youngest asked once why we didn't have an elf and I said I had written to Father Christmas and asked him not to send an elf as I didn't want the house being messed up. She was mildly annoyed with me and then forgot about it. No regrets!

My DGD 7 has an elf at her house and one at mine but she just plays with them we don't do the naughty thing. The dog chewed one and has a big plaster on his face, poor thing!