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Original poster

What if you are NOT doing elf on the shelf?

66 replies

PesoPenguin · 14/11/2014 16:38

Ds is 5.5 and incredibly cynical, I think he's teetering on the edge of believing at all Sad he doesn't believe that toys come to life in a Toy Story way and I just asked him if he thought that if Santa sent him a toy elf it would come to life at night and he said, "don't be silly." However, a lot of the other mums from school are already discussing their elf on the shelfs this year and I'm not sure how to deal with ds if he asks about them. I don't want to potentially spoil it for others by saying it's not true but I know he wouldn't believe in it if he saw it.

OP posts:
TooMuchCantBreathe · 14/11/2014 20:07

As a pp said, wtf is elf on the shelf? I've heard the phrase but thought it was a company that sold Christmas tat stuff?

KittieCat · 14/11/2014 20:10

Elf on the shelf is a bloody awful idea. Why anyone would want to tell their child they should behave or they won't get any presents is beyond me. It's mean and bribery at its worst. The day my DS behaves because a little green and red snitch is sat with our books is the day I give up as a parent.

MrsAmaretto · 14/11/2014 20:15

I won't be doing Elf on the shelf, nor do I do the Robin reporting back to Santa (much to SIL's horror)

I've just told mine that, that's what some people believe, but I don't. But I do believe in Santa & lo and behold it happens.

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 14/11/2014 20:25

Seriously won't even entertain the idea of having one in my house, I read too many woo threads, so elf on the shelf in my head sounds like the premise of a horror movie!

ScrabbledLeggsAndToes · 14/11/2014 20:49

I have thought similar things about Elf on the Shelf. I actually believed in FC 'til I was 10.
However there is no way I would have believed in Elf on the Shelf at 10. For me, making it overly complicated, and doing the Elf would have cast doubt on FC, and I would have found out sooner....I am glad, for this reason, that the elves weren't a "thing" in the 80s!

I remember reading on mn that one mumsnetter told her children that when you were in hospital, after you'd had a baby the midwives made you fill out forms for Father Christmas. You registered your baby, so that Father Christmas knew that you wanted him to deliver them presents on Christmas Eve. You also requested how you wanted to do Christmas - e.g. If you only wanted Father Christmas to bring the stocking presents, if you wanted Father Christmas to consult you on presents or bring surprises etc. The midwives also gave you Father Christmas's contact details! Smile

Anyway, I thought this was a lovely way to explain away the differences in how different families celebrate Christmas. You didn't request a visit from an Elf, and so don't have one!

ZeViteVitchofCwismas · 14/11/2014 20:51

Elf on the shelf is a bloody awful idea. Why anyone would want to tell their child they should behave or they won't get any presents is beyond me. It's mean and bribery at its worst. The day my DS behaves because a little green and red snitch is sat with our books is the day I give up as a parent.

Many parents like us do their own version of Elf and own reasons why elf is there and nothing to do with being watched and reported back dc behaviour at all.

AcheyJakey · 14/11/2014 21:14

What about This?

m0therofdragons · 14/11/2014 21:37

I'm stealing that idea scrabbled :)

ScrabbledLeggsAndToes · 14/11/2014 21:48

It's lovely, isn't it, m0therofdragons? Smile

AcheyJakey · 14/11/2014 21:52

Now I'm back to square one and thinking I shouldn't have an elf.

Oh bloody hell.

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 14/11/2014 22:00

I don't like the elf idea at all, but then I don't go all in for the persuading DS it's all true. I don't tell him it's not true of course but when he asks me (and he does, already at 6 he's questioning it) I'm non committal. I could not be arsed with an elf. I've seen a friend making and selling personalised elves on Facebook so it seems to be creeping in, sorry to sound clichéd but I think it's American?
I don't think my DS would completely believe his friends if they said a magical elf came to stay in their bedroom, if he did and asked me why he didn't have one I'd probably just say I didn't think he would like it and leave it at that. To be fair, I think he'd be freaked out if I put a doll in his room and said it was real and came alive at night!

BastardGoDarkly · 14/11/2014 22:05

I'm firmly in the 'they're fucking creepy' camp.

capsium · 14/11/2014 22:06

I would just tell my DS about a toy elf that people like to tell stories about and talk about the stories. Further questions would result in me saying " I don't know we never had one. Why? Would you like one?"

SwedishEdith · 14/11/2014 22:13

I've only ever heard of it on mn and had no idea what it was until I read this thread. So, Snitch on a Niche? (use American accent)

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 15/11/2014 06:47

Snitch on a niche Grin

Ladymoods · 15/11/2014 07:09

I did a version of elf on the shelf last year with a toy reindeer and the kids loved it but to be honest, I found it a massive pain in the arse trying to think of silly things to do every night. I would love to not do it this year but they are already talking about it so I guess I'll have to.
If I were you I'd just leave it if he's not bothered.

tanya1312 · 15/11/2014 07:09

We have elves 2 last year and 2 more joining in this year, I don't do the reporting back to santa bit to much just the occasional santa is watching comment.

Kids loved the fun and mischievous antics the elves done I have an older child who still believes as well, and when she stops she can help set antics up for younger child.
Can't wait to get started this year xx

tanya1312 · 15/11/2014 07:11

ladymoods do a planner so your prepared and have a few sweet treats as back up plan for the I forgot to move the bloody elf nights lol

ilovepowerhoop · 15/11/2014 07:13

Just

ilovepowerhoop · 15/11/2014 07:16

Have never done it and never would. Used to tell them that Santa was watching them through the smoke detectors though! My two no longer believe at age 8 and 11.

Nightboattocairo · 15/11/2014 07:18

No, it's very naff.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 15/11/2014 07:29

Never heard of anyone doing it in real life, I'm rubbish at make-believe stuff, we manage Santa and the tooth fairy in a very low key way and both DCs still believe in both at 8 and 10. No way would I be able to be convincing about an elf. I've always told them mermaids, unicorns, etc aren't real.

InvaderZim · 15/11/2014 07:47

Elf on a Shelf is a ridiculous American thing. Surprise surprise it's got it's own Xmas TV special... Major marketing grubbing that millions have bought into.

IgnoreMeEveryOtherReindeerDoes · 15/11/2014 08:01

The magic of having children wake up to believing Father Christmas has been is more than enough without Elf on the shelf, which I find little bit creepy plus have enough going on without having to worry about an Elf who's suppose to be helping Santa

KittieCat · 15/11/2014 08:02

Vite, fair enough if you do a different version and indeed each to their own but the premise of Elf on the Shelf (or Snitch in the Niche, as I prefer - nice work, Edith ) is children being watched to check up on their behaviour in in order to let 'the big guy' know if they've been naughty or nice. Santa's eyes and ears, if you will.
I don't like that at all.
DS is far from perfect but he doesn't need to believe he is being judged by a fucking elf.