I can’t find the fricking elf

[CaminanteNoHayCamino]

So obviously when I was frantically stuffing the elf out of sight last Christmas Eve before trying to assemble two sacks of Santa presents to go into bedrooms, I forget where I put it.
I’ve searched every hiding place I can think of - nada. It’s nearly half past midnight. What do I do? It’s not like I’ve got tinies - DD is 12 and knows none of it is real but she loves the elf and is really looking forward to her (yes it’s a girl elf) appearing. In approximately seven hours. I have tried to suggest that she didn’t always appear on 1 December in the past but it wasn’t really cutting it.
Im not sure whether to brazen it out with a message saying she’s joined the strikers or just go with the truth as she’s not exactly a nipper. Thing is, this is the one element of Christmas that the magic still seems to sparkle a bit for her and I’m loathe to lose it. She started doubting the existence of Santa aged three….

Do you have icing sugar or flour? Can you do some footprints and a note about the elf being invisible? Maybe if your DC tidy their room/do their homework/etc then the invisibility will wear off.

@CrapBucket has it! Genius!

Order a new one so it can appear when the bedrooms are tidy.

I love the invisibility idea as above! I nearly cried tonight when I couldn't find the fucking Elf Pet that I splashed out on, DH found it under the bastard stairs thank goodness. There's also the possibility of a small note somewhere prominent saying "let's play hide and seek, you're it!" whilst a new elf discreetly gets delivered by Amazon?

I lost ours last year, but I realised it was lost in time to order a new (but different) elves. I wrote a letter from the normal elf explaining he had covid and had to stay at home, so had sent trainee elves in his place.

Of course this year I have found the original elf, but I like the replacement elves more. So there are now three elves in my kitchen

I lost ours last year though thankfully found it about 2am after having a total panic. I txt friends and they sent me things about holidays etc to cover her being late. Having a Google just now and can’t find them but did find this for when she is late!

You could use this stuck on the tv one: m.youtube.com/watch?v=u0Ec2HaHCvY and quickly replace tomorrow

Thanks guys. I went with the strike idea (made a placard and wrote a note) and have introduced the idea of a younger sister elf (who is indeed arriving from the North Pole tomorrow via the Amazon river 😉). Love the invisible footprints idea and also the tidy your room and she’ll come one!