Elf on The Shelf - Day 1

[Sweetchildofmine19]

Hi all! Been a user of mumsnet for years but this is my first ever thread!

I’m looking to find out how people introduce the elf on the shelf to their kids for the first time and what they say about him? My little boy is 3 (also have a 1 year old but don’t think he’ll care much 😂) and I have bought the elf on the shelf to do this year for the first time. However I’ve no idea how to bring him out on the 1st for day 1. Do you just sit him next to the advent calendar for your kid to find as a surprise?

Any tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

No help with your post but now is a really good time to consider carefully what traditions and method's you use, about everything Elf, and Father Christmas' role etc, because whatever you decide you have 10+ years of doing.

Having done the little bastard for the last 9 years my advice to you is keep it as simple as possible. Otherwise each year you'll end up having to top what you did last year. The first year we did it, I wrote a letter from Santa and left it with the elf with DDs advent calendar

He brings the advent calendar. That's enough for day one. Pace yourself 😄

Thank you for the tips so far!!

I know this seems like I am naively thinking this will be a lovely tradition when in fact a lot of people find it a complete pain (especially after 6, 7, 8 plus years of it 😂) but I swear, I truly am well aware of what I’m getting myself in for!

I've been doing it for 5 years now and it is lovely 😍

but I would advocate keeping it simple. For your own sanity.

I'm doing it for the first time this year. Thanks for the tips. Following with interest.

We have a good elf that sits and observes (and reports back to Santa if required) he will occasionally move but doesn't get up to anything. I would find it hard to explain to a 3 year old you need to be good while having a naughty elf doing what he wants.

Ours arrived for the first time in a beautifully wrapped box, I sneakily rang the doorbell so it appeared as if by magic. That was 11 years ago 😱

My children love the elf!! They do a search for him every morning and he’s invariably done something a little bit naughty that makes me exasperated 😂 Like drawing on the bathroom mirror in toothpaste or wrapping my beautiful Christmas tree with toilet paper 😂

He’s arriving this year in a balloon bouquet I ordered from Etsy. So tomorrow night I’ll be trying to construct that haha

P.s. our elf isn’t a Santa spy though. I hate the idea of a Santa cam or the elf telling tales!!

I also write tiny elf letters. I think it’s mainly for my own entertainment and how wacky the ideas are. I mostly Google and copy other things I’ve seen, but they’re new and fresh for my DC

I'm an elf newbie. I'm really nervous 🤣 my kids have never had an elf, and every year they are so excited to see if we get sent an elf but we never have. I always thought it sounded like a big hassle but I think they're missing out. Plus the kids are nearly 10 & I think I haven't got much time left for potential elf fun.

So I bought an elf.

I've started a spreadsheet 🙈 I've spread out all the normal Christmas things we do like make gingerbread village, watch a film etc as treats the elf can organise.

There are still a lot of spare days.

Someone reassure me I'm doing the right thing introducing an elf so late on....

OP so far on my list I have: bring calendars, gingerbread village, announce day we buy the tree, Xmas toilet rolls, film night, Santa train, play with schleich reindeers, cookie making, paper chains, special lunch, giant cracker.

Our elf does lots of very lame stuff. My son thinks the time he hid in the washing machine was the best elf stunt ever.

My dd remembers the time the elf ate nutella, was in the cereal box and played a board game the most!

Absolutely agree - simple simple! Mine don't do messy naughty things, can't be having that.

I would have it, as you suggested, by the advent calendar with a little note saying who they are and that they've come for a visit/holiday/adventure!

Enjoy.

You also need some easy back ups for when you forget the elf and wake up at 4am and have to come up with something quick 😂

OP if your DC will sit long enough, there is an elf on the shelf movie - Elf on the shelf story(?) something along those lines. Its quite short, about 30-40 mins long. Cheesy as chips but its a nice story to introduce the elves and start the festive feels.

@TheKeatingFive once when I forgot the elf, I quickly filled an egg cup with a few drops of red wine and left a puddle of wine next to the elf 😂

once when I forgot the elf, I quickly filled an egg cup with a few drops of red wine and left a puddle of wine next to the elf

I'm stealing that. Drunken elves 😂

@TheAgeOfAquarius oh i never knew that, thanks! Not sure if he would sit long enough but I’m going to give it a try!

@ChristmasCwtch thats brilliant 😂

@livingthegoodlife oh I love these ideas! And I think it’s a nice idea that’s different from all the usual naughty stuff especially when like @babyno2isdue says I never really thought about the fact the elf is being so naughty and I’m telling my boy to be good! 🤔

@CantStandMeow im definitely going to try and do this, brilliant idea! My little boy would love that!

Thank you so much everyone these are great tips!

Pinterest is great for ideas. My favourite is haribo fried eggs in a frying pan, underwear on the Christmas tree and a candy cane treasure hunt

There's no freaky little voyeuristic pervert in this house but I hope you have fun with yours.

There's no freaky little voyeuristic pervert in this house

Mine either. We have an elf. No surveillance though, I don't know anyone who does that.

I mean, I'm never sure why people are so keen to mount a moral high ground on this one. It's just a soft toy that gets moved round the house.

@AutisticLegoLover 🤣🤣🤣 omg! Wtf! 😂

Ours just gets moved around. My DD who is 6 announced tonight that we’re all taking turns hiding the elf and as she’s the youngest she gets to hide him first.
They love sticking him in the Christmas tree.