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Original poster

DS is terrified of the elf!!!

106 replies

WoopWoop200 · 02/12/2016 07:18

So we started the elf on the shelf this year. We thought it would be a bit of fun. Me & DH would enjoy making the mischief and DS would enjoy finding it......
Apparently not.
DS who is 6, is terrified of him. He will not go near him. Screamed and cried yesterday when he found the elf in his room.
Right now, the elf has wrapped toilet paper around the christmas tree and DS is refusing to go in to the living room.
We've sat with him and explained that he is a friendly elf, etc. and he's startimg to drive us a bit nuts!
So the elf is going....
Has anyone else experienced this?

OP posts:
user1471950254 · 02/12/2016 08:45

I think you've handled it really well with the apology letter and revisiting it tonight to see if he wants to elf to stay.

My DS is far too young but I did consider buying an elf this year to begin the tradition but have him appear just once before Christmas Day for when DS sees pictures of his first festive period. I think it's a cute tradition and don't see what's wrong with adults getting some fun out of it in addition to the children!

I know of several children who were terrified of Santa last year when they met him, never heard of anyone telling those parents to send Santa back to the North Pole!

Original poster
WoopWoop200 · 02/12/2016 08:49

onecurrantbun we usually do advent calendars and a chart to track what list he will be on and he really enjoys thats. Pay santa a visit as well. On christmas eve he usually has a toy, book, dvd and pjs in a christmas eve box, so we all have a cuddle with some hot choc.
At least now we know the elf is a no go but we couldn't just get rid of it. He would need to see it going. So im going to get a little box with a north pole address stuck on and if DS asks it to leave then we'll wrap him up in front of DS so he can rest assured it is gone.

OP posts:
Original poster
WoopWoop200 · 02/12/2016 08:51

Thanks user1471 i am just assuming people haven't had their morning cup of coffee/tea yet. I don't see the sense in terrifying the kid then leaving it at that. I dont want him to be terrified of elves and think its going to pop up every christmas. At least if he asks it to leave then he kniws it wont come back!

OP posts:
EverythingEverywhere1234 · 02/12/2016 08:57

Just saw your update!! I think the apology letter and asking him is the best way forward. It gives him control over it and assurance that if he does want it gone, it actually is. Disappearing might be even more unsettling!

Original poster
WoopWoop200 · 02/12/2016 09:01

Thanks EverythingEverywhere it makes more sense to us too

OP posts:
paxillin · 02/12/2016 09:03

I would hate to have a spy in the house. A bewitched little thing with clearly some super human powers (flight, lifting things three times his weight, an ability travel to the North Pole...). And as soon as I do anything wrong he'll go to the one person showering me with gifts to spoil it.

And what if he goes loopy? Wrapping the tree in bog roll today, machete at my bed tomorrow?

Megainstant · 02/12/2016 09:14

Jesus. Just chuck it away and get him to do it.

Megainstant · 02/12/2016 09:16

Tell him it's not real it's a stupid doll, it doesn't need to go back to the north pole because it's plastic and not alive. Then throw it away and let him see you do it.

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 02/12/2016 09:19

You would have to really.

DS is terrified of the elf!!!
WellErrr · 02/12/2016 09:22

A grinning doll that comes to life when you are asleep and creeps around your house touching your belongings? What's is there to be frightened of?

This. Fucking horrible things. I'm 30 and id be creeped out.

WellErrr · 02/12/2016 09:23

Tell him it's not real it's a stupid doll, it doesn't need to go back to the north pole because it's plastic and not alive. Then throw it away and let him see you do it

This times a million.

1happyhippie · 02/12/2016 09:32

My youngest wouldnt entertain the creepy elf!
I was looking forward to creating some epic scenes for the girls to wake up to.
DD1 is 9 and would not be fooled by the elf, dd1 would be terrified.
The idea of a toy coming to life while you sleep is scary.
Wandering round your house and touching your stuff!
Then the creepy little face on the elf is just to much.

Pack his stuff and ship him out op!

StickyProblem · 02/12/2016 09:44

Sorry Confucius but I really laughed at your 22yo who shudders at narrowboats. DD11 struggles with maths and I think it's because she was terrified of the Numberjacks. Numbers with faces who crawl around on secret missions, I thought they were fab, but she hated the sight of them. She wouldn't have liked an EotS and won't let Santa in her room either - stockings are downstairs.

StickyProblem · 02/12/2016 09:46

Laughed in a kind way, not in an evil way.

originalmavis · 02/12/2016 09:47

Someone will want it. Every year on here there's a 'where can I get creepy little fecker an elf on the shelf?' thread.

onecurrantbun1 · 02/12/2016 10:24

Oh it sounds like you have lots of lovely traditions-in-the-making OP. You'll also save a few minutes every evening setting up loo rolls and cotton wool ski slopes so you can have another wine Wine

winterisnigh · 02/12/2016 10:27

glad your getting rid! poor ds Sad

I felt the proper elf - was rather creepy, we did a sweet girl elf from ikea!

YY Shatners Grin poor things

BattleaxeGalactica · 02/12/2016 10:45

When did this elf thing go mainstream?

Wasn't around when mine (now in their twenties) were little thank fuck.

WannaBe · 02/12/2016 10:55

"My DS is far too young but I did consider buying an elf this year to begin the tradition but have him appear just once before Christmas Day for when DS sees pictures of his first festive period. I think it's a cute tradition and don't see what's wrong with adults getting some fun out of it in addition to the children!" it's not a tradition though. It's a money-making fad which has started within about the last five years on a serious scale. Certainly wasn't around when mine was little and he's fourteen now.

Am baffled that so many adults have been sucked in, and let's face it it is adults who have been drawn in because the children have never heard of it until it appears.

DramaInPyjamas · 02/12/2016 11:01

It all started with Instagrammers and bloggers who are paid to sell the 'tradition' to parents who in turn will document the elves antics on their blogs and Instagrams...

It's like a money led marketing pyramid scheme thingy

goawaycloud · 02/12/2016 11:01

Think yourself really lucky that you don't now have the whole elf thing to do every bloody December.
I have done about 5 years of it now and wish the elf had never arrived (what madness was I thinking!)

Not for you the panic waking in the early hours with the the terrifying thought of ShiiiiiiiiiiiT, I haven't moved the elf!!!

WannaBe · 02/12/2016 11:05

Now I'm wondering whether I could start a tradition of the cuddly fox (retailing at just £24.99) who will appear.to out-fox the elf I.e. To eat him for its dinner hence ensuring it never needs to come back.

Cagliostro · 02/12/2016 11:06

My DCs would be the same I think. Either they'd be creeped out or they'd twig that since the elf is clearly not alive, santa must not be real either. Not risking it

Yoarchie · 02/12/2016 11:09

Take elf
Take scissors
Chop off head
Put in bin
Grin

I am only joking in case anyone thinks I am a psycho!
Fortunately my kids are too old for elf stuff.

DramaInPyjamas · 02/12/2016 11:11

If we did have an elf our dog would have his creepy wee face chewed off and his innards burst within seconds of him starting his mischievous antics.

That would give the kiddies something to scream about Grin

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