How do you explain not having a elf?

[ItsJustASimpleLine]

Really don't want to have to do elf on the shelf. Can anyone help with and explanation for why we don't have one that DD would believe??

[1stMrsF]

I said I've told FC to send the elves elsewhere as I didn't want him to know how naughty you are

[overmydeadbody]

I am a childminder and the children have asked me this.

I say I wrote to Santa asking him not to send an elf because they make too much mess and I have enough to do already. They were happy with this explanation.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

Omg, it's bad enough that it's a thing, worse if you have to explain why you aren't doing it, and needing advice on it?
I don't know whether to cry or hoot with laughter.

[Jackshouse]

Because we are not naughty in our house.

I really done get why you would encourage your child to find naughty behaviour amusing.

[Boohissmiss]

Stressbucket that’s what I told my kids 😂

[hazeyjane]

Fortunately ds is absolutely freaked out by the idea of an elf appearing in different places in your house, and would worry about the elf messing up his Lego...So it isn't an issue here.

[BertramKibbler]

I said I've told FC to send the elves elsewhere as I didn't want him to know how naughty you are

[Ilovewillow]

We've never had one and my children have never once mentioned it (10 & 5)! If she does mention it I would go with traditions and peoples personal preference.

[Ilovewillow]

To stress I mean preference in inviting one into their home, don't spoil it for others!

[Caprisunorange]

If she’d love it I’d just do it. I can’t imagien having some ridiculous principles over something so minor

[LizzieSiddal]

I don’t realise the elves were “watching the children”. That’s bloody creepy! Thank goodness they didn’t have this when my Dds were little.
And yes I’d use the “you arent naughty —very often—, so you don’t need an elf watching you”.

[sheepwithoneear]

I had this last year with my 2 6 year olds.
I told them that it wasn’t real it was a silly game played by mummy’s with too much time because why exactly would Santa send an elf to their house to be naughty for an entire month?
I told them not to say to anybody but I am sorry Santa is a tradition that’s been around for a long time I am not going to care one joy for a stupid non tradition that’s only about the insta and fb pics.
For all those that disagree how would you have then answered their next comment

Oh is that why all the shops sell them?

[katienana]

I know it's not what you asked but you could always buy a cuddly elf (which is what I use) have it cone for 5 days then leave with a note saying your dd has been really good and Dec onbtbe nice list. It doesn't have to be a huge undertaking. But if you don't want to do it just make something up.

[exorcisingarrrgggghti]

Some elves are invisible and well behaved so you never know if you might have that sort?

[ItsJustASimpleLine]

'I said I've told FC to send the elves elsewhere as I didn't want him to know how naughty you are'


This I feel would work

I don't want to cause issues at school if I tell her they only go to naughty kids houses.

I also like the we don't need the mess line.

We do do a 'Christmas Fairy' as in the fairy is watching and reporting to Santa but that's just a threat for bad behaviour and I had this growing up.

[NataliaOsipova]

Would you be so happy for your child to be told the same about Santa?

If another child told my child that something (that I know isn’t true) isn’t true? Wouldn’t be a problem.

[ALadyofLetters]

My dd has been asking what they are. I can’t say that they’re made up and ruin it for other children. I’ll go with them being too well behaved to need spying on.

[Asj0405]

You could say that mummy's and daddy's have to request an elf and as your child is good most of the time you don't need one to watch her.

Or you could just say that it's a game some parents play to get in the Christmas mood you don't want to do it however you will bake cookies/go to see Christmas lights/Do Christmas Crafts or whatever it is that you do like to do on the run up to Christmas.

[HelloViroids]

Can’t you say FC didn’t need to send an elf as he gets all the reports for the Christmas Fairy?

[BertramKibbler]

I told them that it wasn’t real it was a silly game played by mummy’s with too much time because why exactly would Santa send an elf to their house to be naughty for an entire month?

Why on earth would you want to set such an unpleasant example to your own children?

[Normandy144]

My daughter is year 1 at school and we have never done it. She has never asked. If she does I'll come up with some explanation. To be honest it's just another thing to add to the list so will avoid it if i can. They have advent calendars (just a fabric one i stuff with chocolate) and they were really happy with that this morning.

[LassWiADelicateAir]

When did this "tradition" become a tradition? I'd never heard of it until a couple of years ago and only because it was mentioned on here, Same with Christmas Eve boxes. It's just marketing.

[Ballbags]

We have one of these www.finenordic.co.uk/31667-maileg-climbing-pixy-with-magnetic-hands-2018.html
It just appears though and doesn't do anything naughty.

[MarinaMarinara]

She might be relieved and happy that your house is an elf free zone?i was wondering if DD would ask and there is no way we’re doing it so I would probably have been mumbling something about made up rubbish. Luckily my DD thinks elves are “weird” and “creepy” so is delighted that it isn’t a “thing” in our house.

[Ballbags]

Our one hasn't got magnetic hands though, that's a bit weird.