My Grandma and I bought an Elf on the Shelf for the kids yesterday. I'm sure you've seen them - so cute! You sit the little guy on a shelf and he communicates with Santa every night. He tells Santa what you've been up to - have you been naughty or nice? I love this idea and the thought of starting a new tradition just warmed my little heart.
What.was.I.thinking?
I put him on the shelf, read the book to the kids and we named him (Mr. Red). Then Sarah began asking questions. And freaking out.
Becuase the elf was watching her. And could fly. And might appear in her room. And she's "not used to little flying elves."
I reassured her that the elf would not appear in her room. Over and over. She even told Mr. Red herself, saying, "Mr. Red, I 'm just not used to a little flying elf in my house. So could you please not fly into my room?"
We went to http://elfontheshelf.com to register our elf and watch the commercials. Perhaps that would alleviate Sarah's fears? (Because I really wanted this tradition. And we've written in the book. It can't go back.) The opening video for the elf? A commercial with the song, "The elf on the shelf is watching you! Watching you! Watching you! The elf on the shelf is watching YOU!"
I'll be honest, suddenly the elf was a little creepy. And the song was a tad Children Of The Corn-ish.
Sarah stared at the screen, her face white and her eyes wide. And then the obsession began.
All through dinner she glanced over her shoulder and made eye contact with the blasted thing. (Survelliance Elf as one friend dubbed him) She talked about him incessently. For two hours. She talked to him. For two hours. She tip toed around him. She decided against going to the bathroom because the elf was on her way. But she'd like to make some little red clothes for him. So he's not cold. Because, you know, let's keep the creepy little guy who freaks you out warm as he's flying through the air to tattle on you to a big fat man in a red suit who can magically appear in your house. ::headexplosion::
I threatened and cajoled. I distracted. Nothing worked.
She's afraid. But obsessed.
I said I was putting him away, and she got angry.
I.cannot.win.
So the elf sits, on the shelf. Watching us with creepy eyes that follow us around the room. He was so cute. And now? Creeptastic.
I am wicked creeped out by the Elf on the Shelf. And I'm a "grown up." Those little elves are SO creepy to me! I sincerely hope my MIL doesn't think otherwise!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the Elf on the Shelf, but that little dude is just creepy. Why couldn't they have given him a cute face?? If I do this for my kids someday, I may make up something different to tell them rather than saying, this creeper is WATCHING YOU and reporting your every move to the Claus. Threats of phone calls to Santa always worked on me, though. ;)
ReplyDeletego check out the website, it takes the idea of watching you to all new level!
ReplyDeleteI thought he was cute - past tense. :)
ReplyDeleteOK, are you going to move him every night? So she has to find him? Make it a game? Have him leave her little trinkets? Total bribery. We started when my kid was 3, and he named the guy Chink. I didn't even read the book because I doubted he would get it. So my story is "he's here, he reports into Santa every night, you find him again in the morning. If he hasn't moved, maybe you were naughty? [a.k.a. Momma forgot to move him] But he's giving you another chance?" And - we've told them they can't touch him or he loses his magic. Just this morning, they found him [after he was out for 2 days]...and I overheard them whisper "I just saw his eyes move!"
ReplyDeleteGood luck, hope she grows out of the fear. Poor thing.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA
ReplyDelete::deep breath::
I could just see it as you told me this yesterday.
I hated that elf. Opened it up at Target, took one look and was like, "NOPE. CREEPY."
They need to do something with that thing.
So far we're doing it - he flies tonight! She's become less afraid and more 'OMG where is that elf? I must see him NOW!" and you know, she wants to knit him clothing, so I think we might be ok. :)
ReplyDeleteViolet and John don't see the creepiness. Thanks to that song? OH YES I DO. I'm buying Bella one. And he'll be watching YOU.:)
ReplyDeleteThe elf is totally, completely, creepy-looking. Leila got a hold of him & threw him - I'd love it if there was some fear in her...
ReplyDeleteI had to tell the truth!! OMG, it was awful. More to follow . .
ReplyDeleteHe freaked Sarah out SO badly the other night that my husband banged his (the elf's) head against the wall to prove he wasn't real. It was a nightmare. the whole story will be up soon. :(
ReplyDeleteHaha! We received ours as a gift last year but didn't use it. I forgot about it until we were taking our Christmas decorations out last week...and lo and behold...there he was.
ReplyDeleteThe kids were intrigued and excited...I went with it but was kinda creeped out myself. So far, they think "Chippy" is kinda cool. I will not however, put him in their bedrooms! Too creepy.
My dilemma now? Remembering to move good old Chippy before I go to bed. I'm still mixed about this little Elf on the Shelf!
Our Elf comes to visit not so much to spy, but to get into silly, pre-Christmas mischief while he's here. He does fly back to Santa each night, but we kind of gloss over the creepy part by focusing on the silly...getting tangled in Christmas lights, playing with the boys' toys, etc. The 2-and 4-year old love it, and I've definitely come around to love the tradition more than I ever thought I would when I first heard of the little, flying, stalker elf. Good luck!
ReplyDelete