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Original poster

The Elf - were my children horribly deprived?

109 replies

AndMatt · 30/11/2021 22:21

I only became aware of it when an adult friend started sharing the mischief his elf was getting up to on FB about 8 years ago. And very funny it was too.

I have children now 18 and 20, I swear he didn't exist when they were of the right age. Did I just miss it and they were the only ones who didn't have an elf visiting? They never mentioned it, but if it really has only been around less than a decade, blimey it got traction quickly!

OP posts:
comfortablyfrumpy · 30/11/2021 23:29

Mine are similar age and we never had it, I think we just missed it (thankfully).

KimikosNightmare · 30/11/2021 23:55

@AndMatt

How did something that's such a pain for parents become so big so quickly?
Probably because of Mumsnet.
Loveatthe5anddime · 01/12/2021 00:05

@luverlybubberly as above, we also have a 15 year old and have been doing the naughty elf since she was very little and have no links to America so he’s been around a bit longer than everyone thinks!

CheeseMmmm · 01/12/2021 00:18

Lol fucking mumsnet! Bloody women.

I don't know any women irl who look here apart from baby help! Most women assume as many do it's mummies talking about biscuits etc.

Amazing that it's not on here because women in here live in society and came across it there.

But MN originated!

I thought it came from USA?

It's a fact that USA stuff comes here through all sorts of avenues and/or things pushed because capitalism...

That's such an outlandish thought!

V good Grin

pinkksugarmouse · 01/12/2021 00:22

My DD is 19. I had never heard about it when she was younger. I’m glad it wasn’t a thing then because it sounds like a ridiculous palaver.

CheeseMmmm · 01/12/2021 00:22

[quote Loveatthe5anddime]@luverlybubberly as above, we also have a 15 year old and have been doing the naughty elf since she was very little and have no links to America so he’s been around a bit longer than everyone thinks![/quote]
My oldest is 14 and I think it was building momentum then. My neighbour who baffled me seemed to think it was just everyone did. Her oldest is year below mine.

I'm getting on for 50 and it feels new!

In the scheme of Xmas traditions it's definitely a new kid on the block Grin

In the end do it or not if you like.

It's a shame it's become pretty much expected though. But with children at school that's often what happens. No one wants their child to be one of a small group/ the only one who doesn't have an elf story at school every day.

KimikosNightmare · 01/12/2021 00:25

@CheeseMmmm

Lol fucking mumsnet! Bloody women.

I don't know any women irl who look here apart from baby help! Most women assume as many do it's mummies talking about biscuits etc.

Amazing that it's not on here because women in here live in society and came across it there.

But MN originated!

I thought it came from USA?

It's a fact that USA stuff comes here through all sorts of avenues and/or things pushed because capitalism...

That's such an outlandish thought!

V good Grin

I had never heard of until about 5 years ago when I joined MN.

It's a ghastly concept but women seem to have an endless appetite for adding more and more pointless tasks to the things they must do.

CheeseMmmm · 01/12/2021 00:29

Well it's definitely older than that.

What age are your children? That's got a lot to do with if heard of it obviously.

I agree though. Women are so silly! Constantly inventing things that mean more work for them I mean what's wrong with them?

Women are their own worst enemy if you ask me.

RainbowsAndSequins · 01/12/2021 00:30

My eldest is 11 and we got our elf in 2012, when he'd just turned one. (We don't have the official one from the book. I agree he is ugly and creepy-looking.)
He's a fun elf, my kids LOVE him and his antics. No creepy stuff, just light-hearted fun, and occasionally he brings a festive workbook or craft for them. I've probably got six more years of my youngest believing, it's only 24 nights every year, and the happiness he brings mine is totally worth it.

CheeseMmmm · 01/12/2021 00:30

Sarcasm in case anyone not realise!

What else do women do wrong kimoko? I mean long long list so just top 3?

If you think women are so shit what's your motivation for being here for 4 years?

RainbowsAndSequins · 01/12/2021 00:34

@CheeseMmmm

Well it's definitely older than that.

What age are your children? That's got a lot to do with if heard of it obviously.

I agree though. Women are so silly! Constantly inventing things that mean more work for them I mean what's wrong with them?

Women are their own worst enemy if you ask me.

I don't see it as work, at all. Ok, sure, it takes a little effort, but I enjoy it, and it's all been worth it to see their faces. They still talk about some of the things he has done in previous years.
ErrolTheDragon · 01/12/2021 00:35

No elf for us either thank goodness, no idea what it is but sounds like a pain.

But never mind that...we also completely missed out on Peppa Pig so I'm clueless about current cultural references.SadGrin

Silverswirl · 01/12/2021 00:38

I’ve been doing the elf for 8 years: 8 bloody years !
I started it because literally 29 out of 30 kids in my daughters class had a elf and they would all talk about it in school.
First year was fun.
Then it got annoying. Younger kids joined in and now I can’t get rid of the bloody thing and my eldest is 12.
They all love it and count down the days until the elf comes.
Husband has hidden it in the bin several times, had it mating with Barbie, hanging from a noose, booted it across the room, punched it in the face - all sorts- hates it with a passion 🤣 (none in front of the kids obvs!)
When will I ever be rid? When will the kids loose interest? Will they be 16 and still asking for the elf!?

KimikosNightmare · 01/12/2021 00:45

@CheeseMmmm

Sarcasm in case anyone not realise!

What else do women do wrong kimoko? I mean long long list so just top 3?

If you think women are so shit what's your motivation for being here for 4 years?

I do think women make rods for their own backs. Some of the housework/ cleaning/ Christmas threads are real eye- openers.

So many things I've never done or even thought of doing.

CheeseMmmm · 01/12/2021 00:58

Rainbows for sure! I have said a few times do it or not up to you of course! And have fun I mean obviously, sorry didn't get that across well.

I do think it's become an expectation which is different, and inevitable once it got a bit of traction. That's how things go though in general, not saying anyone shouldn't do it! I mean that's not anyone's 'fault' it's how society works. And as I said, no one wants their kid to be the one without an elf story at school.

CheeseMmmm · 01/12/2021 01:01

How old are your children kimoko? I mean that's fundamentally relevant!

I note also you say women do this. Not some/ lots but women full stop. But you don't do elf (again, age of your children relevant!) so it's not women full stop at all!

supersonicginandtonic · 01/12/2021 01:01

My older two are 14 and 12 and I did it for them.

CheeseMmmm · 01/12/2021 01:03

And why have you been here for 4 years if you think women (not all or most but women full stop) are so rubbish?

GodIsAVegan · 01/12/2021 01:05

How did something that's such a pain for parents become so big so quickly?

The parents I know that do it don’t regard it as a pain. Sometimes they’ll spend 10 minutes on it, sometimes it’s 10 seconds. The kids love it.

CheeseMmmm · 01/12/2021 01:06

@supersonicginandtonic

My older two are 14 and 12 and I did it for them.
And why not? So what makes you happy! Esp Xmas and children.

We have traditions that I have no doubt would in no way appeal to loads and loads of people Grin

(If that was for me, if not sorry! Ignore me).

Itsnotdeep · 01/12/2021 05:36

I definitely did it for my ds who was born in 2008.

It's not a hardship. mine does fewer pranks these days, but delivers silly things for the children (and nice things for me) from time to time during December. I still have one believer.

Anycolourwilldo · 01/12/2021 06:17

It's awful. I'm a busy working mum with two young children. Who can be bothered with setting up a scene for the elf after the kids have gone to bed every night until Christmas?! While also sorting all the school / life / Christmas admin? Cheeky elf can fuck off.

glitterelf · 01/12/2021 06:27

It wasn't around when my older two were younger but they love helping to plan what the elves have been up-to for their younger sister. Although I think she's going to be disappointed because she's now expecting there to be a baby elf too Grin

Allthesefolks · 01/12/2021 06:29

@Anycolourwilldo

It's awful. I'm a busy working mum with two young children. Who can be bothered with setting up a scene for the elf after the kids have gone to bed every night until Christmas?! While also sorting all the school / life / Christmas admin? Cheeky elf can fuck off.
This, I’m desperate not to get drawn into this crap. Hopefully no one will buy us one of the creepy sods. Unless DH wants to take full responsibility for it…
YourenutsmiLord · 01/12/2021 06:35

I'm a DGM - the elf spies on them so no toys if they're naughty - I think it's awful.

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