The Elf on the Shelf versus Mom

How many of you have seen Elf on the Shelf pictures already floating around on Facebook? Are you one of the moms completely obsessed with bringing the Elf to life for your kids? The Elf has become yet another topic of debate among parents. Some parents revel in the idea of having one of Santa’s elves in their home for an entire month while others call that darn Elf a big snitch!!

The idea of the Elf is somewhat ingenious, especially if you are dealing with kids with behavioral issues. The story is the Elf is one of Santa’s helpers who flies in from the North Pole to observe whether your child is naughty or nice. He then reports back to Santa every night, and upon his return home lands in a different spot in the house. He is also considered “magic” and cannot be touched by anyone. Depending on your child, the thought of the Elf reporting “naughtiness” back to Santa could make a big impact.

Elf Snowman

So are you Anti-Elf or Pro-Elf???

My husband has already suggested that the Elf does not come out of the box this year. Last year was our first time trying him out, and it definitely seemed to be a little bit of a hassle. I think we probably forgot to move that stinkin’ Elf at least half the time he was out. We would rush downstairs before our son did and frantically pull him off the Christmas tree and move him to his favorite spot, the mantle.

So we are on the fence this year. To Elf or not to Elf? I asked some of JMB’s contributors and some close friends what their feelings are and put together some pros and cons to consider if venturing into Elf season.

The Anti-Elf

The hassle of moving the Elf. This was the biggest complaint I heard, and the biggest annoyance we experienced. Elf certainly won this battle.

Perpetuating the lie of Santa and his elves. I’m not sure if this should be a hindrance or not, I mean eventually your kids will learn about Santa… so the Elf would be just an extension of that. A friend of mine recently posted on FB about what to tell your kids when they see ALL the elves on the STORE shelves. Her son was very confused, and rightfully so, all the elves are supposed to live in the North Pole with Santa! She is still answering his questions…

The rules. Yes, there are rules. The biggest one being you can’t touch the Elf. One of the JMB contributors told us a story about how she set up a zip line for her Elf, how fun! But he lost his grip and landed on the floor. All day the entire family had to “step over” the poor thing every time they entered and left the kitchen. Now that’s dedication!

Tebowing Elf
Kristen’s Tebowing Elf

Pro-Elf!

It’s a great way to keep our kids in check for a whole month! A lot of parents want to keep the Elf out all year long! For us, the Elf was not a successful way to discipline our son, but for some it is a blessing. Last year one of our contributors wrote a great post on why the Elf can work to your benefit with behavioral issues. Check it out here!

Teaching your kids about the spirit of Christmas and gratitude. Why not use the Elf as an opportunity to teach your children about the meaning of Christmas. We all know that there is more to the holidays than just getting gifts. Christmas is about family, giving in all forms and bringing true happiness to others. Let the Elf show your kids that paying it forward can be fun and rewarding. Maybe your Elf wraps a gift for Toys for Tots for the kids to donate, or perhaps your Elf encourages your kids to help others less fortunate by delivering meals or helping to families in need.

It’s just plain FUN! It can be a great way to celebrate the holidays all month long. Let’s face it, even if it’s a pain to move, there are some really fun things you can do with your Elf and some great resources out there to give you some cool ideas. I personally love when creative friends post pictures of their Elf doing funny things or just going completely overboard.

Some Tips for Keeping the Magic Alive

  • Set your phone alarm to remind you to move that Elf! I heard this from a few moms, and if you’re going to do it, this is an excellent way to remind yourself every night.
  • If you do forget to move your Elf and your child finds him in the same spot, just tell them he had no news to report to Santa. Worth a shot, yes?
  • Make a calendar! If you are really into this, you can find calendars online that give you ideas for every day. One of our writers made her own! You can also find inspiration from your Facebook friends who post awesome things they’ve done with their Elf.
  • If this is your first year with the Elf, write down his or her name. Another fellow writer and I have no idea what we named him last year!

SPOTTED THIS MORNING! I had to share what my friend Ava just posted on FB! She surprised her daughter’s with their Elf’s arrival by creating a North Pole Breakfast! A great example of how FUN the Elf can be and how some families just love it!

Elf Breakfast

Elf Breakfast

Elf Breakfast

Elf North Pole Breakfast

Are you Anti-Elf or Pro-Elf??

Vicky Lane
Vicky Lane is the co-owner and co-founder of Jacksonville Mom (formerly Jax Moms Blog). Since 2012, she has been overseeing the content and technical side of Jacksonville Mom. In this role, she manages over 30 writers and works closely with the managing editor to provide the most relevant content for the Jacksonville parenting community. In her previous career, Vicky obtained her Masters in Education and served as University Registrar at the University of North Florida. Wife to adoring husband John, her love for all things “Mom” began in 2010 when their son Brendan was born. Vicky chose to put her full-time career in higher education on hold to spend time with her new baby, giving her a new respect for motherhood and parenting. In June 2012, John and Vicky welcomed sweet Audrey to the family. Vicky has created an amazing circle of Moms who are continuously seeking new ways to enrich their children’s lives in and around Jacksonville. Being part of the creation of an online parenting resource and small business that serves the great Jacksonville area has allowed her to flourish in a successful career while remaining present for her family.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Pro Elf! He has been in our family for many years. If I forget to move him I say the weather was bad. My oldest son recently learned about Santa and then asked about our elf. He is excited still to help his brother find him in the mornings and happy to help if his mama forgets to move him . It’s so much fun and I plan to do it for years to come. I’m also a teacher and I have an elf that visits our classroom!

  2. I love the idea of moving the Elf around the house. It might be time consuming, but it definitely builds fun memories. A nother cute way to keep kids on their toes before Christmas: http://www.portablenorthpole.com/
    My co-worker has been using it every year to record special messages “from Santa” to his kids. And it’s really well done. Check it out.

    • Thanks Isabelle! So far hubby and I have remembered to move Elf every night. Someone even gave me a copy of their calendar with fun things to do. Love that Portable North Pole, how fun!

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