The Elf On The Shelf Phenomenon

DISCLAIMER - this is a post for parents/adults only. To preserve the magic of Christmas and the cherished elf tradition through the eyes of a child, do not read this to or with your kids. 

This is the story of the hell I'm living known as "Elf on the Shelf".

Dear other parents,

If your child(ren) grew up before the Elf on the Shelf era began in 2005, consider yourself lucky. Once you commit yourself to this, you're locked in for years. Every day for a month during the busiest time of the year you have to remember to move your elf every night after the kids go to bed. I applaud the parents that are able to think up creative ways to display their mischievous elves to delight their children each morning. Seriously, WHERE do you find the time?!

When I get home at 6 PM, make dinner, force the kids to eat it, help with homework, do baths, and get the kids to bed by 9 PM - I don't have an ounce of energy left to do anything ... like dishes, laundry, sweeping, vacuuming, or cleaning in general. How am I supposed to think up some cool idea for the elf to surprise the kids when they find him the next morning?

By the way, my daughter was hoping for a girl elf this year. So like a sucker I bought a skirt & boots for the elf - a frivolous waste of money, but she was thrilled when she opened the box last night to discover she got her wish. Worth it? Sure.

The idea behind the elf is that he/she watches over the children during the Christmas season. Every night when the kids go to bed the elf flies back to the North Pole and reports the children's behavior to Santa. Has anyone been able to fool their kids into being good with this load of crow? Because it hasn't worked at my house. Therefore, it's just another lie, and fibbing about Santa Claus is enough for me.

And what about the parents that AREN'T participating in Elf on the Shelf? I had a friend text me and say, "My kids want to know why their friends all have elves and we don't." Yeah, what do you say? So either you're the jerk parent because you don't do Elf on the Shelf, or you get pressured into doing it to prevent your kids from feeling left out. It's a lose-lose situation.

I've included some photos taken by friends of their very talented and clever ideas. I'm glad some parents are able to do this with such passion and enjoy it.

Okay, I'm gonna take a nap now.