Is The Elf on a Shelf worth getting children’s hopes in Christmas magic up just to destroy those beliefs at a certain age? Elves have a huge impact on children’s Christmas excitement, so what happens when a parent or guardian forgets to move the elf and it remains in the same spot as the day before? The Elf on the Shelf can be an exciting Christmas tradition, but it comes with complications that many parents find difficult to manage.
What is The Elf on the Shelf? The Elf on the Shelf is a tradition that started in 2005 for younger children. The elf comes with a book that parents read to their children. Once the book is read, the elf supposedly comes alive or awakens. The elves report back to Santa at the North Pole each and every night after the child has fallen asleep. There are rules for owning an elf:
- Children should not touch the elves; if a child does touch the elf, it will lose its magic.
- Elves always listen closely, but never talk back to humans.
- Elves are always nice, sometimes silly and clever, but never naughty or cruel.
- After the elves have returned to their families’ homes after reporting to Santa, they hide in a new location.
- Elves are adopted, never bought or sold.
Parents have different perspectives on the elf. English teacher Kristi Davis, who has two small children, is aware there can be a downside. “The Elf on the Shelf is a hard thing for parents who have joint custody of their children,” Davis said. She explained that children moving between households may have an elf at one home, but not at the other. Davis’s daughter felt that Santa forgot her last year because she did not have an elf. She also thinks that The Elf on the Shelf is more for parents to brag about on social media than a way to celebrate Christmas with children.
Mother of two Lindsay Damon had a different take. She plays down the idea that the elves are always watching. In their household, “the elf and Santa are not used as a bribery or a punishment. It is more of a way to teach them about their faith and beliefs.” Her children enjoy waking up to find the elf, but sometimes Damon forgets to move it and has to scramble to make up something on the spot the next morning. Damon said her children’s moods are happier during the Christmas season, and the elf contributes to their excitement.
Did you have an Elf on the Shelf when you were little? Leave a comment below to let us know how you felt about it!
An elf hiding in a plant. Photo by Lindsay Damon.
