Elf on the shelf for dummies.. (ie me!)

[MonsterRAVENLooneyParty]

Hi all. Right so I’ve heard about elf on the shelf but I don’t really get it. I know I know, I sound abit dim. I probably am! But I’m also a sleep deprived mother of a newborn and two older kids. Help me out please! What’s the point of elf on the shelf? What do I do to start and introduce this damn elf. I don’t get it. Wahhhh (cue tired tears 😭)

Don't. You will end up regretting it for sure

Will I? Why’s that? Cos it’s a lot of work? Like the toothfairy on steroids? 😂

In a nutshell naughty elf does naughty things when the kids are ok bed ie joyriding in Barbies car and the kids wake up to see what the naughty elf has done during the night. My girls love it 5&3yr old but I tend to run out of ideas from the about the 5th of December!!!?

I love anything festive but this elf thing I just don't get. In the run up to Christmas we are all telling our children to be good for Santa. People have been using that bribe for years. Then along comes this elf that does naughty things that we wouldn't want our children doing. I don't get how that encourages good behaviour Plus it's supposed to spy on them and report to Santa. I find the thing creepy.

Just my opinion. I know loads of people that have one. The whole hassle of having to think up different things though would just stress me out. It's one of the busiest times of the year as it is.

We love eots

We plan every activity in advance and make sure we have everything in before we start on the 1st.

We set reminders in our phones so its 2 mins each night to set it up.

We alternate between tricks, treats and activities so if were going to meet santa for example the elf will bring a ticket for that and maybe a hot chocolate voucher for when were out

Our elf doesnt report to santa just helps us have festive fun

It's like the tooth fairy. Tidied up, things sorted out for morning, lying in bed. Hmmm I've forgotten something.... Just as you're dropping, you remember.

Posh - thats why theres reminders in my phone

If you google there are tons of results of images of what people have done with their elf. Ours never makes a mess, I have enough to tidy up! We have done things like ziplining on tinsel using a candy cane across the ceiling, reading all the teddies a new Christmas book that the children get to share, climbing the tree and like above will bring tickets and vouchers for days out we are going on. This year we have booked the polar express (not Uk) so the elf will bring new pyjamas and onesies for that :-)