Non-creepy Elf on the Shelf

[SylvanasWindrunner]

Does such a thing exist?

I quite like the idea of doing it as DD loves looking for/finding things, but I find the doll thing so freaking weird looking. Does anyone have any non-creepy versions or should I maybe just buy a cuddly reindeer toy or something and use that?

I felt the same and after having a Google we will have the kindness elves arrive for advent. They are cute and have a nicer message. I think a cuddly or fairy that you like the look of would all be just as good

We don't do Elf on the Shelf. It would freak DS out

I would however love an excuse to buy the Build a Bear Gandalf complete with Sir Ian McKellen's voice solemnly intoning about the times we have to live through.

What like a treasure hunt each day to find the reindeer? But it's not spying on the kids? That sounds fun!

Oh I just Googled those and they are much nicer! Thank you!

@herecomesthsun

We don't do Elf on the Shelf. It would freak DS out

I would however love an excuse to buy the Build a Bear Gandalf complete with Sir Ian McKellen's voice solemnly intoning about the times we have to live through.

Hahahaha does this exist?!!

@GloomAndDoom

What like a treasure hunt each day to find the reindeer? But it's not spying on the kids? That sounds fun!

Yes, basically just hide it somewhere in the house in a funny place and she has to find it each day.

www.buildabear.co.uk/collections/shop-by-character/lord-of-the-rings

@herecomesthsun

We don't do Elf on the Shelf. It would freak DS out

I would however love an excuse to buy the Build a Bear Gandalf complete with Sir Ian McKellen's voice solemnly intoning about the times we have to live through.

This sounds like the greatest thing and I need it in my life.

We have this one. It’s great and comes with a little bed and things.
www.elfforchristmas.co.uk/collections/christmas-elf-products?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlrGh7Luh8wIV5IFQBh0IqQ18EAAYASAAEgIWxvD_BwE

We have two called crackers and tinsel 😆

I HATE the ones everyone else seems to have. So bloody creepy

Also ours aren’t naughty. They do nice helpful things like washing up, tidying, putting up decorations etc

I like the idea of him/her doing nice things. DD is a bit little to understand it overly I think but she would understand a clue like 'Maybe she's helping to wash our clothes' and go to look in places like the laundry basket, washing machine, etc. Or just finding one in an unexpected place would give her a lot of excitement. She loves a treasure hunt!

We don't do elf on the shelf yet but we did buy a jellycat elf for display at Xmas we may use as one when our son is a little older or starts talking about it:
www.jellycat.com/leffy-elf-lef2e/

This is ours, we got him from IKEA several years ago before those creepy doll types flooded the market. My dcs are older & know but they still expect him to visit, in fact youngest said just last week I love elf visiting.

We have a hand made felt Christmas fairy bought from a local shop. She brings letters from Santa Claus, sometimes gifts eg Christmas craft set or give Christmas jobs eg make Christmas gifts or make donation to food bank. She doesn’t always bring things and she hangs around our house all year round because DD1 didn’t want her to leave.

They have started doing plush ones now, I found one in the range last week.

Home bargains do cuddly ones that are cute. Here are ours

Some very nice non-creepy elves on this thread, thank you! I'm not letting that bastarding thing in our house but some of these little guys and girls would be most welcome. I think we might get the kindness elves as they're less likely to be stolen by the dog.

We have Leffy from Jellycat, absolutely lovely and not at all creepy. Nice weighted bum for secure shelf-sitting!
www.jellycat.com/leffy-elf-lef2e/

I agree they are creepy looking however, the one I got was a cute toy but I very quickly realised that it was harder to pose/put places because it didn’t have long arms/legs....just something to think about! I ended up sending him back to the North Pole as I ran out of things to do with him and a creepy one replaced him

We have a handmade one that a family friend made for us and it’s gorgeous. I bet you would find similar on Etsy if you’re not minded to make one yourself!

I just have the cheapo one from the Works, and she does silly things every day. The kids love it and I’m hugely (and frustrating) invested.

Does such a thing exist?

No. Creepy, creepy, creepy. And once you've started, you can't stop. And then not only is it creepy, but you're essentially held hostage to the stripy little bastard and it's "daily surprise" for a whole month, every year.

Do we really need an elf hiding or staging a new surprise/gift/activity every day in December? As well as an advent every day. Plus a Christmas Eve box?

I hate those fecking elves. Can you tell

I find Elf on the Shelf especially creepy after those grim pondland ads.

How about a Swedish tomte?

We don’t do elf on the shelf thing but DS have a lovely short movie of a kind and friendly elf on the shelf which I believe you can buy. I definitely recommend watching the movie first. The elf was so nice in this movie I have considered buying one.
www.amazon.co.uk/Elfs-Story-Shelf-Christmas-Decoration/dp/B01L1P2KI2/ref=asc_df_B01L1P2KI2/?hvlocphy=9046575&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=310689469388&hvpone&hvlocint&th=1&hvpos&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-564632285890&hvrand=6922526871729189824