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...
Posts
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""I swear I saw these elf chocolates at Target..."" BAHAHAHAHHAH! Our girl knows her Target... so proud! :)
ReplyDeleteHA HA HA!! Am dying over the chocolate comment! That is SO REAL!-Ashley
ReplyDeleteHahaha! 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...
ReplyDeleteI am part of the #ElfFreeHome Revolution! You are a stronger woman than I for doing it.
ReplyDeleteThe elf is a crazy eyed stalker. There's no room for that in my house.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree - those eyes are super creepy!!!
ReplyDeleteSweet that you endure the elf to keep Natalie happy!!!
The weird eyes and no feet, LOL! You must love your kids very much to put up with those watchful eyes and menacing grin!
ReplyDeleteI had never noticed the feet thing... now its gonna aggravate me!
ReplyDeleteThe eyes are creepy! Maybe they could be another color?
ReplyDeleteI 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!
So funny! I'm glad the elf became a thing after my boys were too old for it!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteI 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).
ReplyDeleteOh man this was so good. Thanks for the laugh :D
ReplyDeleteOkay 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!
ReplyDeleteHe/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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
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!
ReplyDeleteI'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
ReplyDeleteHaha, 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 ;-)
ReplyDeleteI'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 ;)
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI despise elf on the shelf. I am convinced it comes to life and murders people. Also: your son's expression is awesome.
ReplyDeleteThe eyes are creepy...!
ReplyDeleteI guess the more I look at her the creepier she looks.... but it's awesome how you do it with them!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteWell, thank YOU for the comment! :)
Deletecompletely 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.
ReplyDeletethe eyes. yup. nailed it.
ReplyDeleteHahahah 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.
ReplyDeleteLove it! "The Elf is watching" Those eyes though. The Elf looks creepy and innocent at the same time.
ReplyDeleteElves 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.
ReplyDeleteI have almost blown the Santa thing with my boys too many times. I want to keep it magical for as long as possible.
ReplyDeleteWe 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.
ReplyDeleteYeah he creeps me out too. Definitely wont be apart of our family traditon.
ReplyDeleteHe creeps me out too although we do use it to make out child behave around the holidays haha
ReplyDeleteHe creeps me out too although we do use it to make out child behave around the holidays haha
ReplyDeleteI 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 :)
ReplyDeleteLol. 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.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Isaly Holland
www.memoriesbyisaly.com
Hilarious. This post really cracked me up. And I agree that the elf is vey creepy. Those eyes are sadistic.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you that Elf on the Shelf is nutty and scary, enjoyed your article and laughed a little too. Thanks!
ReplyDeletehaha.. this is funny... they freak me out
ReplyDeleteThe eyes of elf are really creepy! But I'm glad that it has benefits to your daughter lol.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteOkay I COMPLETELY agree with this. I've never quite understood the whole craze...
ReplyDeleteAshlee
www.theivoryfawn.com
My parents never did this and yeah, I've always thought it was creepy too.
ReplyDeleteThat is one cute elf but the eyes are a little bit on a creepy side..:-D
ReplyDeleteYou know you're right, it's the eyes that creep me out too!
ReplyDeleteHaha, there is something creepy about it! And the clothes ARE expensive! My daughter loves her elf though :)
ReplyDeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteI've never done the whole elf on the shelf thing. I can see how it would be creepy though. Lol.
ReplyDeleteWe 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.
ReplyDeleteThis is one thing my family has never done.
ReplyDeleteI 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
ReplyDeletelol on the shoe skier. We have a plush elf but I didn't bring him out this year.
ReplyDeleteHahaha too funny! You get to see more of those here in Norway not just this Christmas season but all throughout the year. :)
ReplyDeleteOmg 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 😄
ReplyDeleteHaha too funny. Great post
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteLol 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.
ReplyDeleteI almighty st brought one for my daughter the pricing of the clothing freaks me out . Plus I don't want to get scared
ReplyDeleteI 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
ReplyDeleteHahahaha, totally true! I can't have one of them in my home, even when my son loves them I just can't!
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteYou're not alone. The elf worship/ watching tradition is a bit disturbing to me.
ReplyDeleteOh 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.
ReplyDeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeleteElfs can really be creepy at times. It's good that you can dress them up or use them to scare kids.
ReplyDeleteYesterday 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.
ReplyDeleteAhh! 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.
ReplyDeleteOur 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!
ReplyDeleteOK 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.
ReplyDeleteThose eyes are creepy but after staring at the elf for a while, Meredith looks cute! :)
ReplyDeleteI 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!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter isn't a fan of Elf on the Shelf either. I got one for my granddaughter though.
ReplyDeleteYou 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!
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteThis is pretty funny! We don't have an ELF, but everyone I know that has one simply loves them - especially the kids.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteYou 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.
ReplyDeleteLOL, 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteRight 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!
ReplyDeleteThank GOD i am not the only one! Those little things give me the creepys for sure!
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not the only one who is freaked out by this! This post was super funny :) xo, Suzanne
ReplyDeleteThe 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!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I'm not alone in this! That freaky little shifty eyed dude isn't allowed in my house!
ReplyDeleteYeah. I already have enough trouble staying in the holiday spirit without the Elf!
ReplyDeleteI'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!
Elf on the shelf looks so cute but very freaky too. It has that scary look sometimes. Haha
ReplyDeleteHilarious! 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!
ReplyDeleteThank 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.
ReplyDeleteMy 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
ReplyDeleteI'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
ReplyDeleteHahahaa...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.
ReplyDeleteMy kids loved their Elf on a Shelf and I was so glad they got over it as it kinda freaked me out. Lol!
ReplyDeleteWe 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!
ReplyDeleteThis Elf makes me really scared and I am thankful that my daughter didn't like too. Yes, it reminds me of the movie Chucky!
ReplyDeleteYep, 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.
ReplyDeleteHa 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteWe 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.
ReplyDeleteI don't have kids but I agree...those elves are freaky looking! Whoever created them could have made them cuter!
ReplyDeleteThe eyes are definitely creepy! We don't do Elf on the Shelf because honestly I don't think I have enough energy.
ReplyDeleteOh 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