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Christmas

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Original poster

Help with Elf on the shelf rules

8 replies

DustyPup4 · 01/12/2023 15:19

My DN's (5&7) are spending their 1st Christmas with me and while I was very focused on making this Christmas great for them I totally forgot about the elf until a few days ago when I heard them talking about it.

Managed to panic buy the elf which arrived yesterday, I did the big reveal with advent calendars this morning and the kids went to school.

I have since been scouring the internet for ideas (which I have) but I seem to have found loads of different rules about the elf and what you can and can't do.

So some people are saying that you don't touch them or they lose their magic
Plus loads of differences about what you say to kids who see the elves on sale in the shops and what happens to them after Christmas.

So I'm just wondering what other people do and if there are any elf rules that I am completely missing

OP posts:

Wendyspotatopeeler · 01/12/2023 15:27

You make your own rules up, that's the beauty. However, I'd recommend not doing something every night because after 10 yrs it becomes an absolute chore.

Justhereforthechristmasthreads · 01/12/2023 15:35

@DustyPup4 are the children with you every day up to Christmas now?

I'd make it easy on yourself and have a nice elf who doesn't cause mischief. Just move it's location every day and get the kids to find it

Maybe occasionally it could bring a treat (maybe a cereal they don't normally have one morning for example)

On christmas eve (or just before) elf goes home to the North Pole to help Santa (ie you put the elf away well out of sight)

The 'rules' are really up to you.

Nonplusultra · 01/12/2023 18:19

Could you ask them? They obviously have some ideas themselves so maybe just express an interest and see what they say.

Original poster

DustyPup4 · 01/12/2023 20:59

Love the idea that the elf could fetch them treats they will love that. I'm trying to make this christmas good for them but its hard trying to keep on top of everything.

Yes the kids will be living with me for the foreseeable future.

The 7 year old has additional needs and she wouldn't be able to communicate ideas in that way. The 5 year old can't remember what happened last christmas but I think she's heard others talk about it in school and that's why she wanted one. (I doubt they had an elf before this year though its hard to know for sure)

OP posts:

snugglyblanket · 01/12/2023 23:10

Traditionally (when they first came out & in the book that came with it) the elf just moved to a different spot each night, because they fly to the north pole when you go to bed and land somewhere new when they get back. The naughty tricks came later and weren't apart of the official story. If you are new to it and potentially have years ahead of it, I'd start small, just have it move places most nights and add in a little treat delivery or small trick on a few occasions. The more often you do the bigger stuff, the more it's expected! Luckily we started it years ago, when people didn't do all the tricks so my DC don't expect ours to do too much lol Ours get caught doing something extra about once a week. Maybe get the book or the first movie to explain it if you're not sure. Generally no touching, they lose their magic & need to recover if you do and they go back to the north pole on Christmas eve. Elves in shops we struggled to explain but our DC figured that they aren't the same as theirs so must be for kids who don't have an elf that just turns up. But if they haven't had one before then it's really up to you what rules you set and how you explain things.

Boardingmama2 · 01/12/2023 23:25

What a wonderful thing you are doing to make sure they have a fabulous time. I don't know the back story but I guess things haven't been easy for them. If you are struggling for ideas, go easy, they have no expectations so whatever you do will be memorable. For future years look at ordering an elf letter instead of having to do things every day. I did that for our first 'elf' year and then on I did my own elf letter on Xmas eve, talking about things that had happened over the year and how proud the elf was etc. Remember there are no rules do what works for you. You sound fabulous and I hope you all have a lovely Xmas together.

TheGirlWhoLived · 02/12/2023 10:33

We get a new elf every year. He looks the same, because elves do… but different names obviously!

this year (because we have a 2 year old that would go nuts if he couldn’t touch the elf) we have one called dash. He is particularly special in that you can touch and play with him. Unfortunately he is also a very busy elf, and thus can only visit on Fridays Saturdays and Sundays. It’s very busy at the North Pole at this time of year!

also it stops dd getting up mega early on school days to find out what he’s done, and means that I don’t have to bother in the week 😂

MommaTonda · 04/12/2023 11:37

DustyPup4 · 01/12/2023 15:19

Managed to panic buy the elf which arrived yesterday, I did the big reveal with advent calendars this morning and the kids went to school.

I have since been scouring the internet for ideas (which I have) but I seem to have found loads of different rules about the elf and what you can and can't do.

So I'm just wondering what other people do and if there are any elf rules that I am completely missing

Not many rules at our house. The kids can touch the elves, play with them etc. They go back under the tree at bedtime (so we know where they are). They aren't always naughty, sometimes they bring choc etc. They don't spy on the kids and report back to Santa either as I hate this idea. They go back with Santa on Christmas eve!

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