elf on the shelf: a christmas tradition
Mr. Claus is a busy guy. He’s making a list, and then meticulously checking it over more than once. Take the global population into account, do some quick math and you’re realizing he must be running that tight schedule on some pretty calculated military time. So how does he also have time to see us when we’re sleeping and know when we’re awake? Easy. He sends scout elves. This week I was introduced Elf on the Shelf, a concept that is apparently a very popular Christmas tradition. The book, written by Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell, explains how Santa resolves his logistical issue by sending elves that watch children by day and report back to him at night. The elves return to their assigned houses by morning and assume a different hiding spot each day to keep kids guessing while on their best behavior. Crafty and effective! Reviews seem to show that many families love the tradition; others think it’s silly, while still others ask the tough questions, like, why doesn’t the elf have feet? What do you think readers? Do you have an elf on your shelf? –Sarah C.
Don’t do it!!!!!! You will WORK for the Elf. Your life will not be your own. Worst thing that ever happened to our formerly lovely holiday time. Other kids elves will inevitably do something yours doesn’t and then MORE pressure. The Elf has made all the grownups I know GRINCHY!
HAHA! @ModFruGal – this is why I wrote about this – I can imagine some people (and their kids) adore it, which is awesome, I think its such a cute idea, but my first thought was “You have to hide that thing EVERY DAY?!” My sister has a coworker who does this and his son loses it if the elf shows up in the same place two days in a row.
Exactly! The book says you’re not supposed to touch the elf, but the kids learned at school if you wear gloves..it’s ok! Some parents then have to hunt for the elf every night because their kids were “handling it” etc…My friends and I are toying with a new elf rule – he can’t come until December 22 or 23rd next year..global population boom means Santa needs the elves up there for longer to get it done.
But I heard the Elf loses his magic if touched! The logistics associated with this little kewpie are so involved!
I’d like to make a case on behalf of the elf’s feet: he’s totally wearing a footed onesie!
My family has an elf tradition dating back to when my mother was a child. Only this elf resided in the tree and didn’t move every night. When I was a child, it was the same-stuck in the tree. Now that we have a family, it’s the same. I’m not hiding it again every single evening.
Love the tree idea! The rest just sounds like too much work. I’ve almost forgotten the tooth fairy twice and we’re only on lost tooth #6. No way would I keep up with daily elf removal.
I work for a after school program and its all I have been hearing about the last couple of weeks. It seems that every household has a little twist on the elf. But it does seem to keep the kids in line at home :)
Maybe we should bring one to work…
No, just the Indian in the cupboard.
i have no opinion on the elf, but these comments are freakin’ hysterical!
We received an elf a couple of years ago as a gift. Admittedly, I was skeptical of any ‘gift’ that involved me doing more work. My mother-in-law said she’d had a similar elf as a child. Turns out, we ADORE our little buddy. He didn’t actually add anything new, per say… he just brought something MORE to our holiday tradition. Santa already knows the goings-on at our house. He knows if we’ve been naughty or nice, but he also knows we got a new puppy and we added an extra stocking AND the kids got wii fit. Now we know it’s not because Santa is omniscient or a peeping-tom… it’s because he sent us our own personal scout elf. The kids love waking up to find the elf, whispering secrets to him, sending personal messages to Santa and Mrs Claus and leaving him little marshmallows (his favorite food). All in all, he’s been a sweet addition to the holiday and honestly, he only requires a few minutes thought each evening.