Friday, December 5, 2014

Why Elf On The Shelf Freaks Me Out

Some people have asked me, "If you don't like the elf on the shelf, why are you doing it?"

Well?

My daughter loves the elf, who we've named Meredith. Natalie tends to loves things I do not. For example? Ariana Grande, glitter, and Sphinx cats.

But I can't help being a tad freaked out by the elf. Why? Let me show you the ways...









1. The eyes.



What exactly is she staring at? It looks like she's plotting murder. Is she? I've seen Annabelle.


2. No feet.




I picture the thing moving around on points. It's frightening. (Oh, and we can touch the elf. Our elf is special and allows it.)


3. It's small.




I've sat on the elf before. Natalie screamed. Then I screamed. "YOU ALMOST KILLED MEREDITH!" Natalie shouted at me. (I bought Meredith boots so the pointy feet wouldn't scare me anymore.)


4. The eyes.




Oh, I already said that. But seriously, what is she looking at? Or is she in the middle of letting out a fart? We've all been there, Meredith.


5. The overpriced clothes.




You can dress your elf for $9.95. Meredith showed up one day with this jacket, because I thought plumping her up might make her less creepy. Nope. Now she's a creepy elf with a flight jacket and goggles.


6. Not Spoiling The Magic



Sometimes our elf brings small gifts or candy, and Natalie is like, "I swear I saw these elf chocolates at Target..." And then I say, "Oh no, those are different chocolates, these are from the NORTH POLE!" I'm constantly worried I'm going to blow the whole elf on the shelf thing and ruin Natalie's spirit forever and then in ten years she'll have to go to therapy and will say, "The moment when I knew the magic was gone? When my mom ruined the elf on the shelf. I'm broken forever." THE PRESSURE!


Yes, the elf is creepy, but it makes my daughter happy, so she stays. My son?




Agrees with me. But the elf does help with my daughter's attitude. If she starts to snap at me, I remind her Meredith the Elf is watching and she'll shut her mouth and stomp off.

So there IS one benefit of the creepy elf, who may or may not be plotting...

104 comments:

  1. it creeps me out too...if i used it, i'd half expect to wake up with it sitting on my chest wielding a knife :(

    ReplyDelete
  2. ""I swear I saw these elf chocolates at Target..."" BAHAHAHAHHAH! Our girl knows her Target... so proud! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. HA HA HA!! Am dying over the chocolate comment! That is SO REAL!-Ashley

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hahaha! I agree with you, but I don't have any kids to do it for, so it's okay. I REALLY hope the trend dies down before I have a child old enough to do this...

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am part of the #ElfFreeHome Revolution! You are a stronger woman than I for doing it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. The elf is a crazy eyed stalker. There's no room for that in my house.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I totally agree - those eyes are super creepy!!!
    Sweet that you endure the elf to keep Natalie happy!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. The weird eyes and no feet, LOL! You must love your kids very much to put up with those watchful eyes and menacing grin!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I had never noticed the feet thing... now its gonna aggravate me!

    ReplyDelete
  10. The eyes are creepy! Maybe they could be another color?
    I know of some kids who have seen them for sales at stores. That seems like a blown cover, but I suppose stores have to sell them!

    ReplyDelete
  11. So funny! I'm glad the elf became a thing after my boys were too old for it!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I agree - SO much pressure not to get caught being the one who moves the Elf around! I'm constantly terrified of ruining my girls' childhood with this whole thing!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I hate the thing. At least your daughter touches it. My husband's daughter has a friend who FREAKED OUT crying because my husband handed the elf back to his daughter's mother in front of her. So they said it lost all its magic and it was this huge thing. I cannot wait until she outgrows it (she turns 9 this month, so hopefully next year that horrible Elf will be a thing of the past).

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh man this was so good. Thanks for the laugh :D

    ReplyDelete
  15. Okay so I was just saying this morning how I am so out of the loop on "The Elf on Shelf" phenomenon! Yes, the elf is creepy, it kind of reminds me of the Chucky doll, okay maybe that's a little extreme, but its just creepy. Great and hilarious post!

    ReplyDelete
  16. He/she creeps me out too. They all look like boys to me, so now that you can by dresses for them it looks transgendered... is this the time to teach our children about that..hmmm. Perhaps the point.. to be PC.
    I had elves when my kids were little (now 20 and 25) so this is not a new thing. Our elves are Anna Lee.. still have a bit of creepy in the faces but I like them better.
    Good on you for playing along.. I would too.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your son's expression is priceless! I'm so with you on the feet thing - ours has been spotted in Barbie shoes. She's kind of a diva. ;o) I found your blog through SITS and you're hilarious! Have a beautiful rest of the wknd, mama!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm with you its creepy. I bought one too. Just because I wanted to pose it, my kids have enjoyed playing with it and that's good enough

    ReplyDelete
  19. Haha, that's indeed an idea for a new horror movie. Christmas elf comes to life and kills an entire neighborhood. Not sure if it'll be any good, though ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'll stick to not doing the elf. I love me some arts and crafts and getting creative, but I think I'll stay away from this one! lol! Glad you guys are having fun with it though ;)

    ReplyDelete
  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I despise elf on the shelf. I am convinced it comes to life and murders people. Also: your son's expression is awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I guess the more I look at her the creepier she looks.... but it's awesome how you do it with them!

    ReplyDelete
  24. That elf is a combination of the worst of dolls and clowns - both of which creep me out. I had to laugh when I saw the boots - the lack of feet is the first thing I noticed about Meredith! And you're right - she looks like she's letting a fart. And then she's gonna murder someone.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I don't usually comment on blogs, and I've been a longtime reader, but I just have to say how much I enjoy your posts. I don't have children, but love reading about your take on parenting. Meredith's letter to your kids cracked me up! Too many other bloggers make their lives look fake and perfect, but you tell it like it is. Real life. So thanks for that!

    ReplyDelete
  26. completely creeps me out too. the thing looks evil .. and while we are on that topic: why, why are most homes making this little creep in elf clothing do BAD things? I thought the point was to make the children behave based on the premise that the Elf was watching and would report to Santa? And then evil Elf spreads flour and marshmallows all over your kitchen because he was having a snowball fight in a blizzard? WTF? how? I don't get it. not at all.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hahahah I have never looked at the Elf face but the eyes are super creepy!! I can just imagine sitting it next to me when I am on the computer and really freaking out late at night.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Love it! "The Elf is watching" Those eyes though. The Elf looks creepy and innocent at the same time.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Elves have a little white in thier eye, both disturbing and totally cool. It seems like it's been waiting for Santa to arrive, but he never came back.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I have almost blown the Santa thing with my boys too many times. I want to keep it magical for as long as possible.

    ReplyDelete
  31. We have a different elf but I do envy all the accessories and clothes I see available for "the" elf. My kids like to see what the elf is up to too so we play the game even though they know I'm doing it.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Yeah he creeps me out too. Definitely wont be apart of our family traditon.

    ReplyDelete
  33. He creeps me out too although we do use it to make out child behave around the holidays haha

    ReplyDelete
  34. He creeps me out too although we do use it to make out child behave around the holidays haha

    ReplyDelete
  35. I don't mind the eld itself, but I'm not a big fan of remembering to move it every night and being creative about it as well :)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Lol. I love how you went into detail about how the elf looks creepy! I dont blame you. It amazes me how kids like creepy toys sometimes.

    xoxo
    Isaly Holland
    www.memoriesbyisaly.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hilarious. This post really cracked me up. And I agree that the elf is vey creepy. Those eyes are sadistic.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I have to agree with you that Elf on the Shelf is nutty and scary, enjoyed your article and laughed a little too. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  39. haha.. this is funny... they freak me out

    ReplyDelete
  40. The eyes of elf are really creepy! But I'm glad that it has benefits to your daughter lol.

    ReplyDelete
  41. I just don't remember where I read it but there was one parent who totally disagrees with the idea of Elf on the Shelf. He said when he was growing up, just seeing the Belt on the Shelf was enough for them to behave. Barbaric as it may seem, but yes. We did not need "props" to be at our best behavior.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Okay I COMPLETELY agree with this. I've never quite understood the whole craze...

    Ashlee
    www.theivoryfawn.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. My parents never did this and yeah, I've always thought it was creepy too.

    ReplyDelete
  44. That is one cute elf but the eyes are a little bit on a creepy side..:-D

    ReplyDelete
  45. You know you're right, it's the eyes that creep me out too!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Haha, there is something creepy about it! And the clothes ARE expensive! My daughter loves her elf though :)

    ReplyDelete
  47. I don't understand the hype behind the elf. I think it's creepy and a waste of time, but if kids like it... i guess it's cool. lol

    ReplyDelete
  48. I've never done the whole elf on the shelf thing. I can see how it would be creepy though. Lol.

    ReplyDelete
  49. We also have an EOTS, and that thing is CREEPY! My sister sent her to us, and thus began the craziness. She became less creepy when my daughter would wake up every morning and be so excited to find Noel who was always getting up to some interesting shenanigans. She brings gifts and TPs the tree and draws mustaches on the children. I have made her something fun I look forward to. Luckily my daughter is incredibly understanding and gets that the toy elves can not make so much for every kid... so they outsource. lol The youngest does not understand the magic of our elf yet.

    ReplyDelete
  50. This is one thing my family has never done.

    ReplyDelete
  51. I find the elf on the shelf tradition half funny, half boring. Like once you get used to it the magic really goes away. But of course, children love it

    ReplyDelete
  52. lol on the shoe skier. We have a plush elf but I didn't bring him out this year.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Hahaha too funny! You get to see more of those here in Norway not just this Christmas season but all throughout the year. :)

    ReplyDelete
  54. Omg you had me cracking up lol 😂 I haven't started the elf yet but I can see how the elf can come in handy for when our children start acting up 😄

    ReplyDelete
  55. I don't have kids so I haen't seen an elf on the shelf in person but I can definitely understand a little bit of the creepy vibe even from pictures. Haha!

    ReplyDelete
  56. Lol this is so cute. I'm so over the Elf on the Shelf and Flat Stanley. Too many kids and too many years. I'm ready for something new.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I almighty st brought one for my daughter the pricing of the clothing freaks me out . Plus I don't want to get scared

    ReplyDelete
  58. I never had an elf on the shelf but really wanna have one whenever I have kids. I won't lie...the eyes are pretty creepy

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hahahaha, totally true! I can't have one of them in my home, even when my son loves them I just can't!

    ReplyDelete
  60. I am not good with dolls, they all freak me out! I'm so glad that this is not a tradition in our country so I don't have to make excuses to not do it every year!

    ReplyDelete
  61. You're not alone. The elf worship/ watching tradition is a bit disturbing to me.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Oh yeah, creepy AF, but my kids love our elf so I have to put up with that little creepster for at least a few more years.

    ReplyDelete
  63. My grandkids love their "Elfie." I'm the one who bought it for them years ago. I know my daughter is probably trying to think up ways to get me back. And, yes, I bought him a full wardrobe this year. Plus, I've added the reindeer (Blitzen but my youngest grandson calls him Blister) and dog. And they have clothing also. At least I don't have to look at that crazy little Elf, but the grandkids adore him.

    ReplyDelete
  64. Elfs can really be creepy at times. It's good that you can dress them up or use them to scare kids.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Yesterday my daughter helped me clean up after dinner because our elf was watching and she straight up told me that was why. I told my husband the elf may have to stay all year if that's the case.

    ReplyDelete
  66. Ahh! Okay, stop - I never realized how he didn't have feet! I mean, I love how creative some people can get with the elves but I totally get your perspective too.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Our Elf, Mr. Sweets has been around so many years now. My daughter loves him! He doesn't do anything crazy, just moves around, brings small gifts and candy. A friend of mine their elf, he is mischievous...she is so ready for him to leave for good!

    ReplyDelete
  68. OK so I'm not the only one LOL. I have never done elf on the shelf for the same reasons as you have. I mean it looks like a lot of fun but for some reason it's totally creeps me out.

    ReplyDelete
  69. Those eyes are creepy but after staring at the elf for a while, Meredith looks cute! :)

    ReplyDelete
  70. I totally get it! I can see how the Elf looks creepy. With those eyes and no feet, Elf definitely can be kinda weird-looking! But the kids love him!

    ReplyDelete
  71. My daughter isn't a fan of Elf on the Shelf either. I got one for my granddaughter though.

    ReplyDelete
  72. You are so not alone! My 15 year old sister still has one and its freaky like at what point do you give it up? I do not what to be the one to tell my mother that she's a little too old for it now, or vice versa. Plus you have to move it around everyday and its just way more trouble and freakiness than its worth!

    ReplyDelete
  73. I agree with you that the Elf on the Shelf is totally creepy. But my boys love it so much and my husband and I have fun taking turns with it every day so we do it.

    ReplyDelete
  74. This is pretty funny! We don't have an ELF, but everyone I know that has one simply loves them - especially the kids.

    ReplyDelete
  75. I agree with you that those eyes are creepy. I would be startled if I needed a drink in the middle of the night and see that on the kitchen counter. Yikes. Well, we don't do that Elf on the Shelf thing. Why? Because its creepy. Because we don't need an elf to make kids be at their best behavior. And lastly, because the kids are older now to know who can move the Elf in different parts of the house.

    ReplyDelete
  76. You may have just ruined the elf on the shelf for me too haha I always wonder why they have no feet too, a bit weird. To be fair if the eyes were looking straight out wouldn't you feel it was watching you? This is only our second year with our elf and I need to get more adventerous with it.

    ReplyDelete
  77. LOL, Elf on the Shelf is totally creepy, I agree with you and your son! I didn't realize they have no feet! That is just weird! I had a different knock off version one year that was less creepy, but my son found it disturbing and then the dog ate it.

    ReplyDelete
  78. I have always found these little buggers creepy, they are almost on the same level of those dolls with those lifeless eyes and clowns. That being said, I still do it for my kids.. even though it gives me the heebie jeebies.

    ReplyDelete
  79. Right there with you sister! I don't have kids but all of my nieces and nephews are obsessed with that dang elf and it always freaks me out when I see him in their homes! HA!

    ReplyDelete
  80. Thank GOD i am not the only one! Those little things give me the creepys for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  81. Glad I'm not the only one who is freaked out by this! This post was super funny :) xo, Suzanne

    ReplyDelete
  82. The elf gives me the hibeee gibees as well so I totally get your review but the kids seem to love it and that's what it's all about!

    ReplyDelete
  83. I'm glad I'm not alone in this! That freaky little shifty eyed dude isn't allowed in my house!

    ReplyDelete
  84. Yeah. I already have enough trouble staying in the holiday spirit without the Elf!
    I'm pretty failing hard at one of my kids' little fairy door thing. I can't seem to manage to get a little note written every day and I have no idea what I can do to make it more magical. T_T;;; mom fail here!

    ReplyDelete
  85. Elf on the shelf looks so cute but very freaky too. It has that scary look sometimes. Haha

    ReplyDelete
  86. Hilarious! I feel the same way. We don't do Elf on the Shelf - I think it's creepy, plus it's a lot of work!

    ReplyDelete
  87. Thank you that is why I never did Elf on the shelf, those crazy eyes. Doing all kinds of weird stuff. There is going to be a horror movie made just watch and see.

    ReplyDelete
  88. My grandkids love their elf! When I first bought it for them years ago, I'm sure my daughter wanted to murder me. They are old enough now that they mainly just play with him and change his clothing because yes, I bought elf clothes and a sleeping bag. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  89. I'll say it: I hate Elf on the Shelf. I think it's dumb lol Chuckie is also on the shelf waiting to get you haha

    ReplyDelete
  90. Hahahaa...it's easy to see why Elk on the Shelf freaks you out! My girls were already grown when this became a thing. My grandma had one of those elves on her holiday tree each year, but it stayed in place! No wild adventures.

    ReplyDelete
  91. My kids loved their Elf on a Shelf and I was so glad they got over it as it kinda freaked me out. Lol!

    ReplyDelete
  92. We started doing Elf on the Shelf for a few years now. I know what you mean, it reminds me of those Chucky horror movies from the 90s!

    ReplyDelete
  93. This Elf makes me really scared and I am thankful that my daughter didn't like too. Yes, it reminds me of the movie Chucky!

    ReplyDelete
  94. Yep, I am so not a fan. Hearing about it every year has me glad that our kids are grown and not asking for us to do these things.

    ReplyDelete
  95. Ha ha - this blog post is too dang funny! I know that most parents move the elf, but my 7th grader likes to do it! We have a boy elf and he's not as creepy looking.

    ReplyDelete
  96. I actually had no idea until recently that the elf was suppose to be a spy of some sort. I have never had one and don't think I will in the future. I thought it was just a cute prank for the season.

    ReplyDelete
  97. We love Elf on the Shelf. It's a family tradition in our home but, I feel you on the creepy bit of it. Kids love it though.

    ReplyDelete
  98. I don't have kids but I agree...those elves are freaky looking! Whoever created them could have made them cuter!

    ReplyDelete
  99. The eyes are definitely creepy! We don't do Elf on the Shelf because honestly I don't think I have enough energy.

    ReplyDelete
  100. Oh the elf!! I'm not sure if ours will make an appearance this year... I think we may leave him on his hiding shelf ;) Haha

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for the comment!

Share This

 
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...