We have an Elf on the Shelf.
It freaks me out.
Sometimes I wonder if I'm doing it wrong as I browse other blog posts or Pinterest.
For instance, most return letters are sweet:
Ours was like this:
A lot of people have their elf doing cute stuff:
Our elf does stuff like this:
More cutesy ideas:
(Is that paint? Too messy! Too messy! We prefer easy stuff! And sometimes Elf on the Shelf ideas are listed as easy, and it's like 4 steps. No thanks, guys. Not easy. Easy is sticking the dang elf on the Christmas tree, thanks.)
Meanwhile, our Elf is all:
Cutesy non-easy idea because you have to get crap set up:
Our elf:
Most fanatical elf people have a toy on each blade with the underwear neatly fluffed. After two, my arms hurt, I nearly fell over and broke my neck, so I was like, "Done."
Oh, and we can touch our elf:
I posted this online and you'd think I shared a photo of the guy who played Mini Me in the Austin Powers movies streaking or something. People were beside themselves and were like, "She's TOUCHING THE ELF?" Um, yes.
There are all sorts of things online about how to rescue an elf that has been touched. I am not joking. There are recovery letters. Recovery. Letters. I'm all for giving a kid magic, but that's pushing it for me.
So yes, while we do the elf, we do it in an easy way.
(Really easy. Not fake 4-steps-to-complete easy.)
Do you have an Elf On The Shelf?
Do you have an Elf On The Shelf?
Posts
Recovery letters? No way!! I didn't have enough energy to even do a letter, we just move him around, sometimes not so well. His name is Christopher Popinkins and he looks different from the Elf, less creepy actually and smaller with a cute back story. So we'll keep him!
ReplyDeleteWell, we never did Elf on a shelf. Now, my kids would laugh themselves silly if I did this. Since everyone is over the age of 12 now. Personally, I don't think you are doing anything wrong.
ReplyDeleteI'd probably end up doing it the easy way too! I'm very impressed by all the creativity but I know I'd forget,
ReplyDeleteI could maybe actually have an Elf if we did it the way you do. Most elves look like waaaay too much work.
ReplyDeleteI love the way you do your elf - it is real and doable!!! Plus, if Natalie wants to touch the elf and cook with him then why shouldn't she?!
ReplyDeleteIf we do the elf in a few years- and that's a BIG IF- we will do it your way- the easy way. The elf will just get moved different places nightly with no cleanup needed.
ReplyDeleteI like your elf version better. Especially love the "be nicer to your mom - she gave you life". Need to remember that next year ;-)
ReplyDeleteWhoa. Recovery letters?
ReplyDeleteThat's too much for me.
Mine would spell out "fart" and probably find himself with a bit of a chocolate addiction. Smeared on his face. Empty wrappers. The like. You can use that idea if you want!
Anyway. I like your elf.
I can't get over people getting upset about her touching it...lol
ReplyDeleteNot sure about everyone on here, but I find elfs a little... creepy? along with clowns and other such things...
ReplyDeleteI like your way so much better. My elf hangs out with Emmy's Barbies and she plays with it like she does her other toys.
ReplyDeleteI thought of you recently as my newspaper had an article titled "mench on the bench" Google it, I kid you not.
ReplyDeleteHahaha, at least I can laugh at yours, but seriously, recovery letters? I am so glad there ain't no elf on my shelf!
ReplyDeleteThe Elf on the shelf creeps me out. Those are way too much work, I would prefer the simple ideas, who has time to put them together let alone clean it up! No, thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have an elf because my kids are too old now. Your pictures of Meredith on Instagram crack me up every day- you are the queen of elf on the shelf! I had no idea you weren't supposed to touch it - and seriously, recovery efforts? People don't have enough to do - they should come over to my house and I'll put them to work.
ReplyDeleteHahaha! I love this! I did three years of the cutesy elf stuff. I was all out of cutesy creativity so I changed it up this year. This year Snickers asked to kids to spread Christmas cheer with random acts of kindness. And we touch our elf too.
ReplyDeletewe touch our elf as well and our elf actually stays out all year - he usually hangs out on my daughters dresser!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I just don't get it. Weird little creepy things!!
ReplyDeleteBahahaha... your letter is priceless! And obviously I'm a fan of writing fart in sugar. Or anything!
ReplyDeleteI didn't really know what the elf thing was all about until you started posting about it. I think you are totally doing it right! Especially for your kids! It definitely seems like the things they want to see the elf doing!
ReplyDeleteHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHA
ReplyDeleteStop. OMG. WAIT.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHA
Your letter is amazing. I wish there was a profession wherein all you did was write letters to people. That sass would take you far!
I'm so over it. Lol. Years of that and Flat Stanley with my nephews drove me nuts.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great series of pictures. We haven't done elf on a shelf. My daughter is only 18 months.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great series and such a charming way to get your little one excited for Christmas! This sends me back to the days when I was a kid myself :")
ReplyDeletexx Heather || stormywheather.com
We have an elf my little ones love it but we dont really move it about religiously everyday and or set up anything, they are only little so enjoy just seeing it.
ReplyDeletehAHAHHAAH. I'm dying. There are actual tears falling out of my eyes, I was laughing so hard. I have a few mom friends who really take this seriously. I prefer your version. Makes for a more entertaining experience! :)
ReplyDeletehahaha this is so great! Based on your return letter I assumed you had much older kids that can appreciate a darker sense of humor - clearly you are making it fun for yourself too! I have a feeling that if I ever go down the elf road with my future kids I'll be keeping your style in mind! Keep it up :)
ReplyDeleteI have always found the Elf on a Shelf concept very creepy. Since I am Jewish I never had one in the house growing up.
ReplyDeletexo Jessica
www.whatsfordinneresq.com
Wow this is the first i heard of elf on the shelf. That idea is super cool tho, i have to try it one year.
ReplyDeleteIt's so fun seeing how people stage their elf on a shelf. Great ideas.
ReplyDeleteI like it! Your elf is in your home and you can set him up to be apart of your family how ever you want!
ReplyDeleteI love your elf! He's hysterical :) We never had one, our kids aged out before he came along...thank goodness. But, I'd like to think our elf would be like yours!
ReplyDeleteThe elf is so hilarious. Loved the Fart thing. OMG!
ReplyDeleteHaha this is hilarious! My family never got into elf on she shelf but I will one day as a mama!
ReplyDeleteLOL "stick the dang elf on the Christmas tree" you tell 'em!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! Haha you're doing it so right, the elf is part of the family and should have the same character that fits the family vibe!
ReplyDeleteIs there a rule on how you treat your elf? I think your elf is having tons of fun! Doing silly stuff and not so cutesy stuff. It reflects your personality. She is more adventurous than the other ones.
ReplyDeleteWe will not be doing elf on a shelf. Way too much work.
ReplyDeleteWell i don't have an elf but your ideas, this seems supper cute 😃
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I do not know the background about the elf is on the shelf story :( But I can totally say that your elf is the cutest ever! What a funny post haha!
ReplyDeletexx, Kusum | www.sveeteskapes.com
We have 2 elves (two children, one for each.) Last year I was prepared. This year, not even close. We're doing easy stuff this year, knickers and jocks on the Christmas tree sort of stuff!
ReplyDeleteI could not tell you as I don't have one but seems as if you are. :) Love the pictures.
ReplyDeletethat letter is hilarious! I have to admit that elf on the shelf is new to me, I never had it when I was a child but this looks so much fun!
ReplyDeleteEllie
www.maplesyrupandteacups.blogspot.com
I think yours is funny! If I lived there, I would definitely have similar ideas, I am too lazy for the artsy stuff. I mean, who has time to set up sand and all that!
ReplyDeleteI personally love yours.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll ever be good at Elf on the Shelf. At least you're making an effort and they're quite fun ideas as well!
ReplyDeleteI personally don't think you can do elf on a shelf wrong. I'd never even heard of it until a few years back and now I love the idea and hope to do it with my future children. I don't think I'll be creating anything I have to clean up in order to make it happen though. I thought your approach is a lot more practical!
ReplyDeleteHaha!! Love it, this totally made me chuckle :)
ReplyDeleteI have never done Elf on the shelf.It's not a custom that's popular in India.Though we love Christmas celebration .
ReplyDeleteLoved your take on it.It was hilarious.
Elf on a shelf ... not something we do here in Germany. My kid is 14 now --- I still think it would be a hoot to do it your way. So cool!
ReplyDeleteI've never done Elf On A Shelf. It's hilarious how far people take it. You can't touch it? Really?
ReplyDeleteElf are spooky for me but those photos are so nice!
ReplyDeleteoh I prefer your elf:D it's funny guy
ReplyDeleteI dont have Elf on the Shelf but if I did my version would be something like yours. I absolutely love it!
ReplyDeleteI've never understood Elf on the Shelf myself (lol). But it looks like such a cute game for families from your post. Although tiring perhaps at times. -Aireona
ReplyDeleteWow, I love this. This makes me laugh! I want to have this stuff in my house
ReplyDeleteLove it!! I love that the elf ended up on the ceiling fan - just too funny!
ReplyDeletethis is totaly strange and new to me as i am not used to this but i am always open to learning new things. good thing i learnt of this here first.
ReplyDeleteI love Elf on the shelf, but I've never done it. I like your easy route.
ReplyDeleteI personally find the idea of the Elf kinda creepy:) I personally love the posts with the Elf in inappropriate positions. This is what happens when you have teens you lose your mind
ReplyDeleteYou are hilarious! I love this and the letter made me laugh out loud!
ReplyDeleteOkay I actually really love this because this is my attitude towards it. Maybe ONE day I'll do something non-easy but that's my limit.
ReplyDeleteWe don't do Elf on the Shelf or Santa Claus, but I have friends who like to do Elf on the Shelf for their kids. I think it's cute...and it can also be a little creepy. Lol Hope you guys have a great holiday!
ReplyDeleteI love this! Your letter made me giggle! And "Everybody poops" book is a classic!! you're such a fun mom. Forget the cutesy stuff, you're cool in my book!
ReplyDeletehahahahahha! such an awesome post. I had no idea about these elf figurines. those poses you featured are hilarious! i want to get one
ReplyDeleteI fell stupid for never knowing what Elf on the shelf meant or not knowing what it is. You have a great sense of humor. xx
ReplyDeletehahahaha! I love this article and what you are doing with your elf. Your return letter was perfect! I also didn't know that you weren't suppose to touch the elf, but now I know not to post a picture. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteHahaha I like your way much better!
ReplyDeleteI am not familiar with elf on the shelf or what it is about, sounds and looks interesting. It always to good to hear what everyone is up to.
ReplyDeleteA few days ago I read where a mom turned on her oven and oops, Elf was in there. He survived but has a few 3rd degree burns. I just wonder if mom knew he was there - haha! I know my daughter probably needs therapy because I gifted my grandkids an Elf years ago. I mean, I requested an Elf from the North Pole.
ReplyDeletethank goodness we don't have any little ones at home that want Elf on the Shelf. Way to much work.
ReplyDeleteI think there's no right or wrong way to do Elf on the Shelf! Some families go more "cutesy" and some more "funny/quirky." I personally like the latter approach more!
ReplyDeleteHaha, well you still managed to be creative with the elf. This is a tradition we haven't tried!
ReplyDeleteI have never done Elf on the Shelf. I do enjoy seeing what everyone else does with this little Elf though! I know me, I wouldn't be able to keep up with such a feat! Go you for doing this! Hilarious ideas!
ReplyDeleteWe don't do elf on the shelf. I don't agree with the official point behind it and while I know people like it there are some that sure do seem to take it a bit too seriously.
ReplyDeleteI think whatever way you want to use your elf is up to you. We don't have one and I don't want one. The holidays is about sharing the Christmas spirit. I did love your elfs on the fan.
ReplyDeleteWe don't do elf on the shelf so I think whatever you're doing is great. You need to do you! lol
ReplyDeleteHA, I would be doing the Elf the same as you. Little effort, and extremely easy, I don't want an elf to be the only reason my kids behave.
ReplyDeleteWe had an Elf on the Shelf last year. It didn't return this year, sadly. Maybe one day... maybe not.
ReplyDeleteI don't have kids so I don't so Elf on the Shelf but I think it's silly. I would totally forget about it!
ReplyDeleteWe have an elf named Jack and we never do anything crazy with him. I'm just too tired by the end of the day, the most we ever did was wrap yarn around him and stand army men up around him. I scored the other night when I hid him so well the kids couldn't find him and I didn't have to move him for two days!!!
ReplyDeleteMy elf literally sits on our shelf. Then on Christmas Eve morning leaves and leaves a gift behind! I don’t think there’s a wrong or right way to do it. Whatever floats your boat! - Jeanine
ReplyDeleteI think you are doing a great job with your Elf on a Shelf. It is still magical for the kids. I will have to steal a few of your ideas.
ReplyDeleteI’m loving the letter that was sooo funny! Plus your doing a great job with your Elf on The Shelf pictures.
ReplyDeleteBabushka is soooo glad she didn't have the Elf during The Trio's reign. Raising them alone was enough of a challenge without having an extra character around- even if it's only for a few weeks.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha, Elf on the shelf is a new concept to us so we only watch when other people share there ides we don't participate
ReplyDeleteWe did EOTS for a couple of years. It was fun but i grew tired of coming up with creative ideas. Who knew the internet was full of them. LOL! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
ReplyDeleteWe did elf on the shelf only once because it scared the kids. I will try it again in a few years time. I will try to do as you did - keep everything simple!
ReplyDeleteI think its awesome you're doing your own take on it! This seems fun- and funny! Sometimes going original is better than pinterest :)
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAll this is brilliant and absolutely brilliant does not need to be a child to feel inspired!
I think this is my 6th year with the elf and I started big the first year, so the kids expect him to do more than just move every night. I am SO OVER IT.
ReplyDeleteWe don't do elf on the shelf and I am really happy about that. Looks to me like you are doing a really good job of this elf thing.
ReplyDeleteThankfully, my grandkids are finally old enough to know he's not the real deal. I'm the one that gifted it to them years ago. I'm surprised my daughter still speaks to me. :) I love these ideas!
ReplyDeleteNo lie, Im a terrible elf on the shelf mama. Mine barely moves.. my daughter has actually gotten into moving him herself haha
ReplyDeleteI love your elf. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI did the elf on the shelf thing one year. I was actually just thinking about him. I haven't pulled him out at all this year.
ReplyDeletethis little elf is so cute I have a friend who carries her elf wherever she go. One day she send me a photo of the elf inside the grocery and pet store hilarious but funny.
ReplyDeleteI like your way of doing the Elf thing. After raising kids for 28 years, I have problems with the tooth fairy thing so this would be a pain for me.
ReplyDeleteI don't do the elf thing so I'm not one to judge. I say you do you!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any kids at home, so the elf stuff is something completely strange to me. I do like this idea, as it looks like lots of fun! :)
ReplyDeleteWe've skipped Elf on the Shelf at our house. It does look like a fun way to enjoy the holidays, your creativity definitely shines through.
ReplyDeleteWe had an elf! The gig is up at our house but they still do crazy stuff with them. Our ideas are more like yours. The one that upset the kids the most is he wrote and Drew funny faces with a dry erase marker on everyone's pictures. 😂😂
ReplyDeleteWe did an Elf on the Shelf on year for my daughter. The elf has not returned. Must have got lost on the way back from the North Pole.
ReplyDeleteWe do elf every year. But easy,and not complicated. Ours didn't come back till 2 weeks ago. My older sister did one just for herself and came up with a story line and everything.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think there’s a right or wrong way to do the elf. I rarely move mine and my kids honestly don’t care. I don’t do fun things or anything else. It’s just something fun and silly! - Jeanine
ReplyDeleteWow! Such a cute thing that elf dressing up like this but definitely I love it. This is very nice blog post.
ReplyDeleteThis is so hilarious. I still cannot believe people are going through all this trouble to follow up with this elf thing. I only heard about it for the first time in the last few weeks. Good job you are doing it the fun way.
ReplyDeleteLol! You’re doing a better job than me!! My return letter was scribbled in a post it and my daughter looked at it and said, “Hey! The elf has the same handwriting as the tooth fairy!” 😂
ReplyDeleteWe aren’t doing elf on the shelf, my son came to me and said “mom we have an elf in the classroom and it’s so cool...etc” to which I said, “that’s cool we aren’t getting one though” I can’t even get my kids to put on their shoes half the time (I can it just takes forever) but if that’s a struggle how am I going to get an elf to do all this crazy stuff I have to clean up. If we did it i’d Do it just like you are!
ReplyDeleteI personally love the elf and I love that everyone seems to be doing it a bit differently. We have an elf and sometimes things are creative and elaborate, sometimes it hasn't moved in 4 days.... LOL
ReplyDeleteYour elf farts? This amuses me no end. Honey, you're doing it absolutely right!
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's a right or wrong way to "elf" and I think your elf is hilarious! I'm glad I don't have kids in the age of the elf...LOL!!
ReplyDeleteI happen to think that you are doing all right. Seems like your kids are having so much fun!
ReplyDeleteYour elf ideas are really cute, I am not doing simply moving here and there. some time my kids will do a sprinkling cinnamon get back Elf magic.
ReplyDeleteThat elf looks so cute anywhere, anyhow. I can't think of ideas just like that. You're ideas are cutey creative :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks really cute. You can already feel Christmas time have arrived. It is absolutely adorable.
ReplyDeleteThis is really awesome to consider. Elf is another good way to have that holidays feeling. They are super cute.
ReplyDeleteI love your idea and the humor is perfect. My boys would absolutely love your elf. I need to use a few of hese ideas.
ReplyDeleteI think you can't help but have Elf in the Shelf be anything but creepy. He is in fact creepy watching you all the time in whatever you do and reporting back to Santa. That's just creepy.
ReplyDeleteElf can be a little creepy. We didn't end up doing it at all this year! He never came and my kids didn't even notice. It was a relief!
ReplyDelete