Elf on the Shelf HELP

MsAlyss · November 2012

I'll admit, I haven't read the book yet, but if I remember correctly touching the elf makes him lose his magic, right?

So when you do a set up for the morning (ex. rolling down the stairs in a toilet paper roll leaving a trail all the way down the steps) how do you justify to the kids that 1) they can't touch him, & 2) mommy CAN touch him, and he'll still be magical. Because leaving him on the steps all day long is not happening!

jc&cat · November 2012

and this is why i am hesitant to bring the Elf into the mix this year. If anyone can convince me that this (not touching the elf) isn't going to cause mass hysteria, I'll go out and get it!

Jelliebean1982 · November 2012

Sometimes our elf flies around during the day when the kids are not looking. Magic.

kpips20 · November 2012

I personally don't buy into the "The Elf needs to be naughty and do crazy things each night" thing. We just simply move him each night after bed and that's where he stays so there's no need to touch him during the day. Last year when one of DSs friends was telling him about all the stuff his Elf does (messing up the kitchen, gift wrapping the toilet etc), DS told him "I'm glad mine doesn't do that, mommy would give him a time out!"

Meeshe · November 2012

kpips20:
I personally don't buy into the "The Elf needs to be naughty and do crazy things each night" thing. We just simply move him each night after bed and that's where he stays so there's no need to touch him during the day. Last year when one of DSs friends was telling him about all the stuff his Elf does (messing up the kitchen, gift wrapping the toilet etc), DS told him "I'm glad mine doesn't do that, mommy would give him a time out!"

we are the same. We don't have him do anything other than appear in new places every morning. My DD is 5 and was already hoping he was here the other day...and is worried that a different elf will come this year and she will "miss Donald."

almostjennifer · November 2012

I have enough trouble remembering to move him every night -- let alone come up with some 'mischief' for him on a daily basis.

Our elf is always somewhere up high where the kids won't be able to touch him anyway (mantle, doorways, light fixtures, Christmas tree, top of fridge, etc.).

KathrynMD · November 2012

what exactly is the point of not touching him?

Brewtowngrl · November 2012

I have no idea why you would want it to do something naughty. The elf is supposed to report good behavior and you don't need it giving your kid ideas. I get that people go nuts and think it is funny, but for real life I just put him fun places.

I do have a hard time remembering to move him, but DS1 is already asking for him. We also try and keep him out of reach so it is not temping the boys.

TielaMarie · November 2012

KathrynMD:
what exactly is the point of not touching him?

If the child touches him, he loses his magic and won't be able to fly back to santa to tell him about all the good things the child did that day

MsAlyss · November 2012

Brewtowngrl:
I have no idea why you would want it to do something naughty. The elf is supposed to report good behavior and you don't need it giving your kid ideas. I get that people go nuts and think it is funny, but for real life I just put him fun places.

I do have a hard time remembering to move him, but DS1 is already asking for him. We also try and keep him out of reach so it is not temping the boys.

We're definitely not doing naughty stuff either. That was just the first image that popped up in Pinterest when I went look for idea (some of the things out there are CRAZY!) I do like the idea of him set up reading books with other toys, or in the kitchen with cookie ingredients, leading to a fun morning of baking for us. I think I just need to think through how he can still do all this fun stuff & be out of reach.

meldoo2002 · November 2012

We don't have him do anything crazy... just move him around each night.

lawry13 · November 2012

kpips20:
I personally don't buy into the "The Elf needs to be naughty and do crazy things each night" thing. We just simply move him each night after bed and that's where he stays so there's no need to touch him during the day. Last year when one of DSs friends was telling him about all the stuff his Elf does (messing up the kitchen, gift wrapping the toilet etc), DS told him "I'm glad mine doesn't do that, mommy would give him a time out!"

I just move him while she sleeps. I don't have the time or energy to come up with that many different things for him to do.

AmandaP678 · November 2012

lawry13:
kpips20:
I personally don't buy into the "The Elf needs to be naughty and do crazy things each night" thing. We just simply move him each night after bed and that's where he stays so there's no need to touch him during the day. Last year when one of DSs friends was telling him about all the stuff his Elf does (messing up the kitchen, gift wrapping the toilet etc), DS told him "I'm glad mine doesn't do that, mommy would give him a time out!"
I just move him while she sleeps. I don't have the time or energy to come up with that many different things for him to do.

This is what we do too!

Worcbride · November 2012

last year I bought a plush elf (after christmas/we didnt do elf last year); so when our elf appeared last night he brought the plush one that the kids could touch. I'm not going to put the elf anywhere where the kids can really reach it--they're too little and the temptation is just too great.

the book has nothing about him being naughty--I think that's just where this has all gone but I agree with PP that if he's supposed to be reporting good/naughty behavior why would we encourage the naughty stuff?

bethelon · November 2012

We keep him up where he can't be reached. We don't go crazy with the ideas, but we do try to do a couple of fun things each year, when we have the energy. For instance, husband hung fishing line across the kitchen and Chippy was ziplining (took a couple minutes), he rides on the reindeer and duck decoys, he's roasted marshmallows over a candle, swinging from the dining room chandelier, etc. If I can't do it in under 5 minutes, forget about it. I am currently looking around the house for things for him to do the next two nights, as he's going to magically go on vacation with us. We are doing 3 days at Great Wolf Lodge, so I'm looking for some pool related things to accessorize. Of course we JUST got rid of the baby stacking rings...one of those would have been perfect as a pool float. Darn it!

juliane2004 · November 2012

Jelliebean1982:
Sometimes our elf flies around during the day when the kids are not looking. Magic.

Love this. Thanks for the tip.

juliane2004 · November 2012

Worcbride:
the book has nothing about him being naughty--I think that's just where this has all gone but I agree with PP that if he's supposed to be reporting good/naughty behavior why would we encourage the naughty stuff?

I agree. While I think it's HILARIOUS to see other people's photos, how can I tell my kids to behave and that the elf is going to tell Santa if they don't behave, but then the elf himself gets into trouble? No way would I let my kids deface a photo, so why would I "let" our elves do it?

Our elves find different places to rest, but they can still "be involved". This morning, the elves were reading a book.

armywife7205 · November 2012

The book says if a child touches him/her... So I move it! Today Sparkle was eating cheerios and watching TV on the couch. I put her up on the mantle!

They both know not to touch her!

Want a personalized experience?

Elf on the Shelf HELP

Re: Elf on the Shelf HELP

Choose Another Board

Search Boards