Elf on Shelf

ladylisalt

If your an elf on a shelf family, what age did you start? DS got it as a gift last year and I am still thinking I may wait until next year. He is 2 yrs 5 mos.old.

aglenn

We got one last year and DD (age 3 at the time) liked looking for the elf in the morning but she didn't like the whole watching and reporting back to Santa concept.  She seemed overly worried about that so we dropped it.    But I think even my toddler will like looking for the elf so we will do that part again.

MalyJ

I've been wondering the same thing...curious to see what everyone says. My DS is 2 year 5 months old as well!

sugarbear0524

We are going to start next year when DS is 3, but we're doing something different. I don't like the concept of "The elf is watching so be good or else!" We found a great alternative--The Christmas Angel. You hide the angel just like you would the elf. The angel has a message for the child telling them something to do for others. It might say: "Help Mommy bake cookies for your neighbor" or "Call Grandma and tell her you love her". I like this concept so much better--it's more about serving others than getting more for yourself.

Here's the link: https://www.yourchristmasangel.com/ 

They have boy angels and girl angels!

ladylisalt

sugarbear0524 said:

We are going to start next year when DS is 3, but we're doing something different. I don't like the concept of "The elf is watching so be good or else!" We found a great alternative--The Christmas Angel. You hide the angel just like you would the elf. The angel has a message for the child telling them something to do for others. It might say: "Help Mommy bake cookies for your neighbor" or "Call Grandma and tell her you love her". I like this concept so much better--it's more about serving others than getting more for yourself.

Here's the link: https://www.yourchristmasangel.com/ 

They have boy angels and girl angels!

I just recently heard about this. I like it too. Thanks for sharing the link.

authorofdreamz

Last year I thought we would start this year but I have decided to wait until next year. I don't think DD would really understand and she would probably just be upset that she couldn't play with it. You know your child the best so if you think they would have fun with it this year, do it. If not, then wait.

ThatWasAHoot

Our son will be 3 in January.  We started the elf this year and he loves it.  He understands that Pickle [what he named the elf...wicked awesome] is Santa's helper and tells Santa how good he is being, etc.  And he loves finding the elf in the morning having tea with his animals or whatever.  He grasps things easily, though, so I think just under 3 is fine.

bride2b3/07

We decided to start this year...DD just turned 2 in September so she doesn't fully understand the whole concept of the elf reporting to Santa but she does enjoy finding it in the morning. I've been placing it out of her reach though so we don't have any issues with her not being able to touch it....today it's attached to a small bungee cord hanging from a ceiling fan, yesterday on a shelf in the kitchen, the day before sitting on a wreath on the wall. I'll just continue it this way for this year, but I'm sure next year is going to be a lot more fun when she understands it better.

HML5382

We started this year and she seems pretty excited by it. We keep the elf (Jingle) out of reach, so far on a door jam, wreath, and on top of our Christmas tree, so the not touching her hasn't really been an issue, but she does want to play with her. I'm thinking one day Jingle might bring some magic gloves or lotion or something that Cass can put on so she can play with her. She does understand the concept of her reporting to Santa and even talks to her and does little songs and dances for her to tell Santa about, it's extremely cute We're keeping our elf "nice" though, not naughty, and I have some plans for her to bring some scavenger hunts/games/small toys for Cass when she's been especially good. Trying to focus more on the positive instead of the negative's which I think can get weird/creepy and make them not enjoy the whole concept.

jknigh8

We started it last year when DD#1 was 2.5 and she semi got it, but this year is really into it, and even our 19 month old likes finding him even though she has no idea what hes here for

authorofdreamz

DD turned 2 in November and we started it on Dec. 1. I was going to wait but I was just too excited. I keep it really simply and I don't know how much she understands but she loves looking for it in the morning. I don't really like the whole "You better be good in Dec. because Santa is watching" thing especially since there is no way I'm actually going to take away her presents so we don't play up that angle. It's just a fun thing for us. My biggest concern was that she would just want to play with it but she has been really good about not touching it.