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Original poster

What age to stop elf on the shelf?

41 replies

nowhheeeyyy · 30/11/2021 13:36

Wish I never started it but I did.

For those of you that also didn't realise what you were getting yourself into, what age did you or do you think you will stop?

DD is 11 and final year of primary. Do I not bring the elf back this year or do something this year then stop when I'm secondary?

Did anyone do anything nice for the final year or have any ideas to make it a really easy year of having the elf on the shelf?

OP posts:
thesockfromtheroof · 30/11/2021 13:40

Why did you start it and how does your child feel about it?

DockOTheBay · 30/11/2021 13:40

Does she still believe in santa? If not then I would just stop doing the elf now, they kind of go together don't they?

FreeBritnee · 30/11/2021 13:42

You stop when they leave home.

Original poster
nowhheeeyyy · 30/11/2021 13:43

@FreeBritnee

You stop when they leave home.
No Wheeeyyyyyy
OP posts:
Ouch44 · 30/11/2021 13:48

Afraid FreeBritney might be right! DC are 15 and 13 and the b*d elf is coming back tonight! Elf has got lazier over the years though! DC also pretend Santa is real Confused

Original poster
nowhheeeyyy · 30/11/2021 14:31

@Ouch44

Afraid FreeBritney might be right! DC are 15 and 13 and the b***d elf is coming back tonight! Elf has got lazier over the years though! DC also pretend Santa is real Confused

So they pretend even though you know that they know?

I get the feeling we are also in this territory.

Do you just carry on as though he is real?

OP posts:
Original poster
nowhheeeyyy · 30/11/2021 14:32

@thesockfromtheroof

Why did you start it and how does your child feel about it?
It looked fun. It was. The first few days.

DD LOVES it

OP posts:
TheUnicornDuck · 30/11/2021 14:36

My DD is 11 and year 7 this year she is doing the elf for her younger brother and sister she is super excited and has very extravagant plans 😂 I think last year at primary is a good year for it to be the last one, otherwise you will be doing it til she leaves home

CiaoForDiNiaoSaur · 30/11/2021 14:38

@Ouch44

Afraid FreeBritney might be right! DC are 15 and 13 and the b***d elf is coming back tonight! Elf has got lazier over the years though! DC also pretend Santa is real Confused
We all pretend FC is real in our family. DC are 17 and 15. Grin

Never did the stupid elf thing though so no idea what's "normal". I'd say do it this year and then stop. Maybe elf could leave a note saying he thinks she's too mature once she's left primary so he's off to a new family. Or something.

DriftingBlue · 30/11/2021 14:38

At 11 my dd took over moving the elf and setting up scenarios. Now DH and I have to find it.

At Halloween she does the same with a 5/8 size plastic skeleton.

DriftingBlue · 30/11/2021 14:39

And I never wanted an elf, but 3yo came home from school very upset that all her friends had an elf visiting and she did not.

Enough4me · 30/11/2021 14:40

My partner and I are going to set up the elf for each other this year as my youngest is 11 and isn't bothered, but we think it's fun. We just move him about amongst Christmas stuff and he's blamed when Christmas chocolates are eaten.

Turkishangora · 30/11/2021 14:42

Kids in year 7 and year 10, we have had a democratic discussion about the future of the elf and decided he's worked so hard that it's time he retired. So he has. Into the bin. Bye bye elf.

Proudboomer · 30/11/2021 14:42

Wrap the elf’s leg in a bandage and sit him somewhere. Tell your DD that he has broken his leg and he is on doctors orders to be non weight bearing so he won’t be moving this Christmas.

SpeckledHen266 · 30/11/2021 14:43

Once they stop believing in Santa. You could have the children take turns to set up scenes for each other if they want to carry it on though

endlesswinter · 30/11/2021 14:52

Last year dc 12 joined in with moving elves around.
This year ds firmly said elves would be back, I said they had definitely moved on.
Still in negotiations.

Obviously dc have known for while that the elves aren't real but they are part of their Christmas experience.

Enough4me · 30/11/2021 14:52

@Turkishangora, why bin him when you could pass him on?

EvilPea · 30/11/2021 14:53

@FreeBritnee

You stop when they leave home.
No. You let yourself in their house and continue it.

Even when they have children.

It’s a commitment

huuskymam · 30/11/2021 14:53

My son is 11, still believes in santa and the elves. This will definitely be the last year as he's starting secondary school next Sept.

EvilPea · 30/11/2021 14:54

@Turkishangora

Kids in year 7 and year 10, we have had a democratic discussion about the future of the elf and decided he's worked so hard that it's time he retired. So he has. Into the bin. Bye bye elf.
Well. That’s you on the naughty list for eternity

Binning an elf Shock

gogohm · 30/11/2021 14:57

If they want the elf, surely they can do it themselves. My DD's took over tree decorating around 10 and from 14 even got it out the garage ridiculously early whilst we were out

MonicaGellerBing · 30/11/2021 15:04

My elf is in quarantine with covid this year. I cannot be arsed trying to think of new hilarious things for it to do at 11pm every night. Bah Humbug!

What age to stop elf on the shelf?
steppemum · 30/11/2021 15:11

@DriftingBlue

At 11 my dd took over moving the elf and setting up scenarios. Now DH and I have to find it.

At Halloween she does the same with a 5/8 size plastic skeleton.

Oh this is great, hand ot bakc to them to create the scenarios.

Maybe your elf could get a family whatsapp group going too?

or your could all randomly do it, so no-one knows what the elf will do or when?

Could be fun!

Lovemusic33 · 30/11/2021 15:11

My kids are 15 and 17 and fully aware there is no Father Christmas but we like to take it turns to make the elf do naughty things to see who can come up with the most crazy ideas…..the elf has been drunk a few times and done a few x rated things 😬.

At the moment he’s sat in the tree waiting for someone to come up with something funny over the coming days.

steppemum · 30/11/2021 15:13

not being funny, but hasn;t someone just created lists of 31 things to do with your elf on a shelf? So you can just pick one from the list?

Seems like all over the country people are racking their brains at 11pm...

I never did it.
really glad now!