Elf on the shelf....a parents nemesis for December!

[1st amg]

This very new tradition that started a few years ago has taken first North America by the you know what and now our relatives in Italy are all asking about this new xmas tradition. Talking to parents, this is our nutracker of the year award winner. Every night we need to find a new spot for the elf, in our case, we have two, one boy and one girl, as our children are a boy and a girl. These little buggers need to be changed locations every night when the kids go to sleep. There are some really interesting ideas as you will see. I am sure there are a number of you here that have to deal with these nutcrackers. I call them this because, every night as I am winding down from work and kids, I am in a very calm and relaxed mood almost dozing off on one of the sofas when my wife will come over and nudge me "don't forget to move the elfs"......aw ***K, not them again. I have started this thread as over the years I am starting to run out of ideas, in fact, the kids the other morning called me at work and said that the elfs did the exact same thing two years ago....oops.

Below, I have included the quote detailing what these little monsters are all about, it is directly from their website. I am reaching out to get help and help out the TRF gang.

What is The Elf on the Shelf®?
The Elf on the Shelf® is a fun-filled Christmas tradition that has captured the hearts of children everywhere who welcome home one of Santa’s Scout Elves each holiday season. The magical Scout Elves help Santa manage his naughty and nice lists by taking note of a family’s Christmas adventures, and reporting back to Santa at the North Pole nightly. Each morning, the Scout Elf returns to its family and perches in a new spot, waiting for someone to spot them. Children love to wake up and race around the house looking for their Scout Elf each morning.

You can tell Santa’s Official Scout Elves apart from other elves at the North Pole because they arrive in their official solid red jumpsuit with their very own storybook called The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition.


So there you have it. Thanks everyone!

[1st amg]

Here is a pic from my creativity last night....they both caught a cold from the previous night as I threw them in the fridge for a new hiding spot and now have a cold.


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[OmegaJJH]

So true.

This is our first year. Our little boy is 3.

My wife has a WhatsApp group with her friends solely to get ideas to try to survive until Christmas Eve.

The children are also encouraged to name their elf. Ours is called Phillip???

Here’s our last 3 efforts.







I’m all ears if people have any suggestions...

Phillip is making pancakes tonight


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[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

Here is a pic from my creativity last night....

When I first saw this pic I genuinely thought it was 2 elves in bed with a pregnancy test




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[tritium8]

You guys are much better parents then my wife and I. We just move the stupid thing every night....most ever night.

There are some hilarious pics of people setting the elf up in very riské poses, though.

[Dr. Robert]

It’s still Hanukkah week, I got my mensch on a bench!

[AzPaul]

Fun Holiday Cheer

[incontrol]

I am eternally grateful this nutcracker did not exist when my children were young. I guess we dodged an evening nightmare!


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[1st amg]

Originally Posted by OmegaJJH

When I first saw this pic I genuinely thought it was 2 elves in bed with a pregnancy test




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Oh Jesus.LOL!!! Awesome


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[Wesley Crusher]

From a very young age, my mom told me that Santa, elves, etc... was all bullshit lol. But the elf on a shelf does seem like a pretty fun idea for the kids.

[Abdullah71601]

Seems like there would be some way to turn this into a device that forces the youngins to do chores as part of their elf search.

[James K]

This is the only way we can get our six year old out of bed for school right now. He has to go see where the elf went. One day my boy was bad so the elf sat on his iPad, the next day he sat on the TV remote. . Today he went to the donut shop and left them a box of Xmas donuts and a note. I think tomorrow the elf is going to repel down from the kitchen lights and hold one of the Barbie dolls laying around.

[Danny83]

Cool

[SemperFi]

I had never heard about this prior to this thread.
That looks like a world of fun for the kids and sure keeps the parents on their toes.

[Old Geezer]

Our daughter is grown but we have a blast with the Elf and our granddaughter. It’s hilarious to see her reaction when she comes out of her room and sees what he is up to. I tell her creeps me out and she trys to comfort me so I won’t be scared. Children’s innocence is priceless.

[ltmgeller]

Saw this the other day

[jnelson3097]

Some of the ones I've done in the past for our kids.





This was my favorite. Just taking a rest in a banana hammock.

[hitman23]

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

Saw this the other day

damn, what a great idea

our elf may need to have an accident

[77T]

For those who are irked, I’ll offer this little bit of advice...be grateful you have the opportunity to add a bit of whimsy & wonderment at this time of year.

You will be rewarded for your efforts later - when you hear about this tradition as they tell your grandchildren tales of “Christmases Past” 20-30 years from now.

Now if you want to add a further complication, just put a pickle on the tree.

After all, you seem to find the time to check the COSC performance of your watch(es) and come here to tell us all about it.


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[Burlington]

This looks like tremendous fun !! Hadn’t come across them until now

[Andad]

Originally Posted by ltmgeller

Saw this the other day

For the win.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by 77T

For those who are irked, I’ll offer this little bit of advice...be grateful you have the opportunity to add a bit of whimsy & wonderment at this time of year.

You will be rewarded for your efforts later - when you hear about this tradition as they tell your grandchildren tales of “Christmases Past” 20-30 years from now.

Now if you want to add a further complication, just put a pickle on the tree.

After all, you seem to find the time to check the COSC performance of your watch(es) and come here to tell us all about it.


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Great perspective on it Paul I also have fun seeing the reaction on our daughter's face when she finds Sparkles. If I'm gone when she wakes up, she makes me close my eyes when I get home and takes me by the hand to show me where the elf is.

[1st amg]

Awesome ideas everyone.....this may give my wife and I some new fun....I was running out of ideas, now I have some interesting ones!

[travisb]

I love the look on my daughter's face and the way she lights up when she spots hers everyday.

[RW16610]

Hahaha those picture gave me a good laugh. Seems like fun for the kids and I'm sure possibilities are limitless.

[JimSnyder]

I must live in a rough neighborhood

[Dr. Robert]

Originally Posted by JimSnyder

I must live in a rough neighborhood

This is hilarious

[GB-man]

Priceless lol ^^^

[ltmgeller]

Originally Posted by hitman23

damn, what a great idea

our elf may need to have an accident