WDYT - Elf on the Shelf

abbyful · November 2013

(I know, I know, it's not even Thanksgiving yet!)

I think DS is still too young for it this year, but I want to do it next year. DH thinks it's stupid/weird/creepy, every time we see them in a store, he's like "NO!".

rp-chicago-mom · November 2013

I'm not a fan. I am really opposed to the naughty and nice business. And the thought that some elf is watching over me would have been unnerving to me as a kid so there is also that. I don't want to tie gifts in with behavior.

shakinros · November 2013

No strong feelings one way or the other. We won't do it, but that has more to do with out collective laziness than anything else.

jillybean7582 · November 2013

We have an old school Elf that looks just like the one used for Elf on a shelf. It was my husband's grandparents and when his mom passed away his dad gave it to us. It is probably 40ish years old and since it is a family item handed down we display it each year. But we won't be doing it as the elf watching LO behavior or moving it to do a bunch of different things.

Edited because I can't spell or type

piphigirl · November 2013

Agree with @Baker_Bride - I strongly dislike the idea of associating gifts with behavior. As a teacher, I know that intrinsic rewards are more effective. Secondly, I want to associate the holidays with things other than gifts: spending time with family, helping others, etc. I think a lot of the gift gimmicks put too much emphasis on the gift-giving part of Christmas.

alrighthamilton · November 2013

I am fully planning on doing it next year when she understands. I have absolutely no problem with gifts rewarding behavior, bribing her to be good, etc. Whatever works. My coworker does it with her kids and shared some really cute ideas. She put green food coloring in the toilet one night and said the elf forgot to flush, then sprinkled flour on her counters another night, put his little foot prints in it, and gave her kids cookies the next day she said he made. I think as long as it doesn't scare a kid, it's just another way to make Christmas fun.

mindymaske · November 2013

I think its a cute lil tradition to start, Im going to start next year too

Rhomonk · November 2013

I'm no Christmas fan, but I find Elf on the Shelf hilarious. Especially the naughty pics on pinterest.

I would do it the way my one friend does. She doesn't use it for the naughty/nice aspect. But she is really creative in having her elf in different situations during the season. At the end, Fred the Elf writes her son a "thank you for letting me stay with you" letter. It's really sweet.

zbeesma86 · November 2013

The Elf is a little creepy. We may do something like this but use something else- fairy, unicorn, Mrs. Clause... hahah. And not this year. She's still too young to get it I think. And I don't want to associate gifts and behavior and Christmas. It will be a for fun.

When I nannied- I used to help the parents put their kids elves around the house- they had some funny places and the girls would be SO EXCITED to see what these elves had gotten into. The look on their faces were priceless- I def want to do it with DD.

jodegaard · November 2013

I still have no idea how the Elf on the Shelf works. I had never heard of it until last year. It's not my thing.

fastcarsandfreedom3319 · November 2013

Nah I'm not into it. We never did it as kids. I don't find it creepy, I just think it's another gimmick that the retail industry is pushing on us all to make us buy more stuff.

NeneCakies · November 2013

We received an EotS from my parents last year and while I don't really get the spying on you for Santa part, or how that's any less creepy than Santa knowing when you are sleeping or awake, I do like the concept of a friend from the North Pole arriving to help count down the days to Christmas. I adore advent calendars and making dolls do funny things. She will not be a naughty Elf though. Only delightful elves allowed.

millerhomelife · November 2013

We do Elf on the Shelf. We started last year for her first Christmas. My nephews have one and they love the fact that DD has an Elf at her house too. I don't think it is creepy at all.