We’ve got a new friend with us this Christmas season, Bob, the Elf on the Shelf. I don’t know where I first found out about the Elf on the Shelf. I think from my friends in America. I certainly haven’t seen it here in the UK and everyone I’ve mentioned it to here has been like “OK, that’s a little weird.”
But, our elf, Bob, as he’s been named, has been with us now for a few days. And, I haven’t yet decided whether I think he’s cute or creepy. I think my son is in the same boat as he looks at him a little dubiously. The game of moving the elf around each night and finding him the next morning is definitely something festive to get us in the Christmas spirit. And, so far, it’s turned out better than last year’s attempt at an Advent calendar.
In one short week though, we’ve already had one incident where daddy picked up the elf (and child got upset at this) and one night where I forgot to move him. Luckily, my little man isn’t that switched on to whole the thing yet so we were able to move past these parenting failures. I know there are people who go mad coming up with creative ways to position their Elf around the house. But I don’t see this happening in our house. Just moving him around may be enough. Bob was riding a toy dinosaur the other morning but the little man didn’t think the dinosaur liked that very much and asked that I put the dinosaur away. Back to the shelf went Bob.
I do have to give Bob a bit of credit though. The other night his tactics successfully got my son to try salmon with pesto sauce and green beans. If he can continue to have that kind of success, I think I’ll keep him around for a while.
What Elf on the Shelf stories do you have? And, what’s your vote: cute or creepy?
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