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.
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just for fun: northpole.com
While surfing the web for some new holiday recipes recently, I stumbled upon this listing for Santa’s Whiskers Cookies. The source? The Mrs. herself! The link brought me to Mrs. Claus’ Cookbook at Northpole.com. Further investigation unearthed a world of holiday cheer for those who celebrate Christmas. Festive recipes, crafts, games and even letters to Santa and ElfChat with chief correspondents Bif and Bonnie are a few of the features on this massive site dedicated to ringing in the holiday for parents and kids alike. Looking for the weather at the North Pole? Get the five day forecast here and track Santa’s epic flight via NORAD starting December 24! –Sarah C.
inside-the-box gift idea: playing with cardboard
Bring home anything and kids always seem to think that the cardboard box it comes in is the coolest part. (Growing up, I remember when my best friend’s parents bought a new refrigerator and we got a new fort out of it. Score!) But, in this case, the cardboard really is the best part — because it’s designed to be a tree, a cooker, a playhouse, a rocket or a dollhouse. Unlike cardboard nursery gear, which raised some safety concerns when we posted about it earlier this year, these imagination-boosting cardboard products for toddlers and school-aged kids are getting positive buzz on design sites and making appearances in interior design magazines. The concept and price tag won me over … we’ll have the Color Me House playhouse under our tree this year — the moon and star cutouts in the roof are definite upgrades from my fort days! –Ginny F.
zapi: oral health care made really super cute
It’s not that I’m worried about catching a dread disease from my toothbrush — I’m really not, even though the video on this page from the Rachael Ray show talks about the “germy droplets” that can fly onto your toothbrush if it’s stored near the toilet. (This is part of the reason mine lives inside the medicine cabinet.) But hey, I haven’t done all the research, and I have to admit these Zapi toothbrush sanitizers — they do their work with UV light — are just cute as heck to look at, and only $30. Check out ZapiPOP — like a happy Humpty Dumpty! And who wouldn’t want the help of a ninja in fighting germs? You can find them all at Violight. — Mary T.
style & comfort: baby blankets from patapri
As a December baby born mid-blizzard, I have a particular, and possibly innate appreciation for warm, cuddly baby blankets. Care Bears were on trend when I arrived on the scene, so they gleefully adorned my swaddler of choice, but if I was a mom today, (or a very discerning infant), I’d be thrilled to go about town with a blanket by Yuko Uemura of PataPri. At $60 each, the blankets feature adorable patterns (Hedgehogs! Houses!) printed on gauze fabric with water-based inks. Don’t have a baby to dress? Check out the line of hand towels in an expanded array of patterns, and enjoy free shipping through the end of November. – Sarah C.
