Elf on the shelf

[Thomo0111]

Hi all, thinking about starting the elf this year for my 3 year old (I have a 1 year old too but obviously she won’t really understand).

For anyone that does this did you let the kids name the elves? Or did you pick names that they arrived with? If so, please can you spam me with name ideas. I’m thinking of doing a boy and girl so as my kids grow up they have one each.

Also, did you have the rule that they cannot be touched?

Lastly, any cool ideas are welcome please. I’d like to try get a rough plan together of each day in advance as I know I’ll come up blank under pressure haha!

Thanks so much from a mummy who is new to all of this 🤣

Elf clothing at B&M

I do like the jammies!

i really wouldn’t recommend starting it.

1. You will occasionally forget.
2. It becomes a huge chore
3. Ideas run out quick.
4. Clear up of the fucking flour angels with haunt me for life.

I’ve never understood the point of elf on the shelf. When I was little (early 80s!), the elves were all so busy in December finishing off making the toys and helping Father Christmas get ready for the big day. What elves have time to hang around in peoples houses for a whole month? Perhaps the elves have changed their job description and no longer help out in the present workshop.

All the elves go back to the workshop on Christmas Eve. Once the last sleigh load has gone out for delivery, they have a huge party with hot chocolate and cookies (baked by Mrs Claus).

Santa generally lets the disruptive naughty elves and the good trainee elves out to people's houses to spread 'good cheer'.

it is a right pain after the first couple of years. as others have said it’s an unwanted job when you are already doing a million things.
if you really want to do it, start off simple- eg just hiding it, if you’re too creative it will become a huge pain every december

@SaraHoliday
”Santa generally lets the disruptive naughty elves and the good trainee elves out to people’s houses to spread good cheer”

And hopefully we all know that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!

Damn right! 😁

You will have years of fun with your elf. We now have 7 of the little gits, we named them pre-arrival as it were (for all of the work and effort there does have to be a perk for adults). Don't feel under pressure to have them doing grandiose things every day, some days they will be doing small and simple things. For instance, our first one enjoyed a bath in the dolls house. Enjoy! Don't be afraid to Google ideas the night before btw, we have all been there.

My husband insisted on starting this with his oldest before we had children of our own. I told him I absolutely would not be getting involved and I think he thought I was bluffing because I adore Christmas and love doing fun silly things for the kids. Anyway long story short we've now had our own kids for six years and never an elf has been seen.

Someone I went to school with does this and kindly updates all her social media channels daily in December with where the pesky elf was found.

And this is the main reason people do it - it's not really for the kids but to show off on social media what an imaginative and whacky parent you are ("Ooh look what our cheeky elf got up to last night", chortle chortle 🙄)

I started doing this for my daughter a couple of years ago and I love it 🤣 not everyone enjoys it though, but if you think you could have fun with it then don’t let other people put you off.
Ours is called Elf 🤣🤣

I have an 'Alf' 😂

Firstly so what? If that gives them joy... who cares?

Secondly, I'm obviously doing it wrong as I've never posted a photo of it on social media. I do it because my DD enjoys it.

It’s a load of consumerism nonsense. Resist.

Glad these things didn’t exist when my sons were small but then I wouldn’t have entertained such crap. Just piling on more pressure for parents at already high pressure time of the year. Wish they’d get in the bin.

Surely it’s only consumerism if you buy every single accessory and buy other items constantly to go with it.

the purchases in our house have been 2 Jellycat Elves, 7 and 5 years ago. That’s it. Anything else the Elves “do” or “bring” are things we would have purchased or done for our children anyway during the period of advent

I’ve never put a single post on social media about our elves and the only time I’ve spoken about it is if someone has asked for ideas of what to do.

not everyone does it to show off on social media!

”entertained such crap”?! Aren’t you a delight!

I don't understand why people who don't like aspects of Christmas, comment on 'Christmas threads' 🤷

I smugly resisted elf in the shelf for years and then cracked when my two youngest begged for one (the eldest already was passed the age for it). Now they are older and have said the elves don't need to come this year and I AM SO SAD because it was magic. I never spent money, posted on social media or made a mess. Just lots of silly puns and situations using their toys. I would say maybe you could hold off a year or two as 3 and 1 is quite young, also you could add some rules like yours doesn't come til the 10th Dec for some reason so it's not the whole month you have to do.

Because I don’t like the same things as you? Ok

It doesn’t play any part in my Christmas. Am I not allowed to disagree?

I dont think it's a question of not being allowed, more why enter a thread about something you have no interest in just to declare beloved aspects of other people's Christmas 'crap'? Seems rather mean spirited