In the past decade, a clever mother-daughter team has managed to convince many of us that the enchantment of “Santa” alone isn’t sufficient to get through the holiday season; we needed an additional whimsical task to juggle. Enter the Elf on the Shelf, A Christmas Tradition. Unlike the simple Santa routine, which involves cookies, mall visits, and a few harmless fibs, this new tradition demands a daily commitment of creativity and effort.
Thanks, team Elf!
While the Elf on the Shelf concept is undeniably adorable, it often serves as a daily reminder of yet another responsibility added to our already overflowing to-do lists. Who remembers to relocate this little guy each night? Typically, about a week into the Elf saga, parents start sharing their frustrations through memes and social media posts, expressing their weariness with Santa’s little observer.
Recently, Family Dynamics shared a humorous image on their Facebook page that went viral for its relatable content. The image highlighted a stark divide among Elf parents: those who mistakenly view the Elf as just a cute decoration, and those who genuinely embrace it as a festive spirit. The latter group tends to take things a bit too seriously. Some of their comments included:
- “If you’re going to have one of these creepy little guys in your home, at least do it right. This takes all the fun out of it!”
- “Why even bother with an Elf if moving it becomes just another stressor during the holidays?”
- “Sounds like a lazy shortcut. If you don’t want to do it, why spend the money?”
- “Is it funny, or just lazy?”
- “If you enjoy the challenge, great! But if you’re just going to suck the joy out of it for your kids, why bother?”
From my perspective, creating a mini cast for a toy is anything but lazy. In our home, our Elf is simply called “Elf.” My children interact with him daily, treating him more like a doll that appears with the Christmas tree and departs when the decorations are taken down (yep, he’s stored right in our ornament box).
Let’s be clear: this “tradition” isn’t inherently magical because two savvy entrepreneurs claim it is. It’s just a toy that comes with a book, introduced in 2005. A decade hardly qualifies as a “tradition.” Those who poke fun at the Elf are not being lazy or “doing it wrong.” It’s simply a toy, not a magical entity, and it doesn’t even have to be relocated every night. And that cast idea? Brilliant!
For more about parenting and the quirks that come with it, check out this insightful post from our other blog here. You can also learn more about at-home insemination resources at Make a Mom and delve into valuable information about pregnancy at the Genetics and IVF Institute.
In summary, let’s lighten up about the Elf on the Shelf. It’s meant to be fun, not a source of stress. Embrace the humor, enjoy the moment, and remember, it’s just a toy!