A year or so ago I started to hear bits and bobs floating around the internet about this Christmas tradition that entailed a strange little Elf toy moving around the house and being found in fun and strategically set up scenarios for children to find every morning.
I did some research and discovered that it actually looked like a ton of fun, particularly with two imaginative little boys but they were sold out that year so I got in early the following year (last year) and bought one.
For those who don’t have a clue what The Elf on the Shelf actually is then here is a brief outline:
The Elf on the Shelf®: A Christmas Tradition is a special scout elf sent from the North Pole to help Santa Claus manage his naughty and nice lists. When a family adopts a scout elf and gives it a name, the scout elf receives its Christmas magic and can fly to the North Pole each night to tell Santa Claus about all of the day’s adventures. Each morning, the scout elf returns to its family and perches in a different place to watch the fun. Children love to wake up and race around the house looking for their scout elf each morning.
We adopted our Elf from The Book Depository and called him Alfie (yes, very creative I know!). Alfie joined us for his first December last year and we started off well.
Here’s what Alfie got up to with us last December:
Then this happened:
NOTE TO PARENTS:
The Elf on the shelf is a very difficult endeavor to achieve when you have children who keep getting up or refuse to go to sleep! You do not want to be up at all hours of the night trying to set this up so my advice to those of you with restless sleepers is to wait a year! Our Elf stayed on strike for the rest of December until he delivered their Christmas Eve Box.
This year we have already started reading the book every night which the kids are loving. Last year the book wasn’t read because the kids weren’t interested but given the popularity of that aspect, I think this year will be a winner! And these monkey’s actually SLEEP at night now! Woohoo! That will make being creative so much easier!
Now, the only problem is that when Alfie was hidden away returned home to Santa after Christmas he was tucked away somewhere so safe that he is now lost. Wish me luck on my retrieval mission! Only 3 weeks until he needs to start working his magic (ie. making the children think they need to be good boys and girls or Santa will be told!).
No, I am not adverse to bribing good behaviour, if only for one month a year! Bring it on I say!
Do you do Elf on the Shelf? Have you even heard of it before now? Is this something you would be interested in doing?
Linking up with #IBOT @ Essentially Jess
I love the idea but he kinda creeps me out! 😮
Amy @ HandbagMafia recently posted…Terror, Freedom and Helping.
Haha, you’re not alone! My husband thinks he’s a little freaky too.
I don’t do elf on the shelf but it’s so cute…especially when he gets a little naughty
Lydia C. Lee recently posted…Seriously…I’m kidding
He is cute! I have a few ideas up my sleeve for this year.
I love Elf on a Shelf. I don’t have one (my kids have grown beyond him) but I’ve seen him a lot when I got to the USA to licensing and toy fairs etc. He’s great!
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit recently posted…Day 2224 – The Bamboo Tree
It’s HUGE in the States, more so than down under but it’s catching on.
Oh I love your ideas. May have the borrow a few of them! We did elf on the shelf for the first time last year and it was so fun. Our elf ‘Jingle’ is set to make an appearance any day now…. I just need to find him first! Xx
shannon @my2morrows recently posted…Why didn’t I think of that?
Another creative name 😉 I have to find mine too, are we going to have to do this every year?!
We did (not using the official Elf) with ‘twin’ elves a few years but random nights because we are slack.
It was more funny things .
This year I want to practice kindness and have kindness Elves instead who leave notes about kind things to do or thank the boys for being kind or helpful etc. Mention something we noticed and filed away (like Jess said).
Trish recently posted…Happy Hens and dogs who don’t eat them.
Cool idea Trish!
Hahaha love this!! I only heard of an Elf on the Shelf last year!!! Cant wait title our bub-to-be is old enough to have fun with one!
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted…Christmas Marshmallow Pops
They’re fun! I might have to have ours holding some marshmallow pops at some point!
Our Elf sits permanently on the book shelf guarding the Christmas books – I think the time for him moving around and getting up to trouble in the middle of the night is over at our place xx
Josefa @always Josefa recently posted…Summer Dreaming – Tiger Tribe Giveaway
Aww, sad! Save it for the grandkids maybe? Do you have any cool suggestions for Elf mischief from past years Josefa?
Haha, hilarious! I’ve never heard of Elf on the Shelf! I love it… but think I’ll pass this year as I’m hosting a big Christmas do and am already freaking out about it. Don’t want to add any more to my to-do list, haha!
Zoe @ Adventures In Domesticity recently posted…8 things that would make parenthood a lot easier
Fair enough too Zoe! It’s definitely time consuming coming up with ideas and executing it, fun though! Buy one mid-year because they sell out fast closer to Christmas. What’s your party for? Exciting!
I LOVE the idea of elf on a shelf and have wanted to buy one! With no kids, I think it would still be funny for Hubby to wake up to elf mischief each morning and have a laugh! I loved your elf pics x
Ashlea @ Glamour Coastal Living recently posted…How to make your bedroom a relaxing haven
There are some awesome ideas on Pinterest for AO elf mischief! Lol. You so should!
Last year was the first time the elf made an appearance in our house. He’ll be back this year and is even coming on our Indonesian adventure!
Claire @ Life on Wallace recently posted…My sister had postnatal depression
Oh how exciting going on holiday to Indonesia! Lucky Elf 🙂 When do you leave and how long for?
We haven’t done the Elf thing, but I may do it next year. Love your little ideas! And that drawing of your Mums if frikken AHHHHHMAZING!
Kelly recently posted…THE THINGS HE SAYS
Thanks! I might have to do a post showcasing her artwork next week! x
I’m going to do our version of Elf on the Shelf using figurines the girls already own. I love traditions and this is one I haven’t quite got on board yet, but if it works with the figurines, I will buy our own Elf.
Bec Senyard recently posted…Australian Made, Eco-friendly Fashion That Sha-de’s You From The Sun
Good luck, I don’t think it really matters what Elf you use but the book that comes with it is a nice lead up too if it’s successful 🙂
Haidee recently posted…Child vs Parent: Things Children Will Destroy
I have friends who do this every year and it’s really funny to see what they can come up with. No way I could ever be that creative.
Whatever! You so could! Perhaps not without being inappropriate though … adult only Elf?! LOL. I could so see you with an Elf being naughty!
Haidee recently posted…Child vs Parent: Things Children Will Destroy
I wish Elf on a Shelf had been around when my kids were young, looks like fun!
Janet aka Middle Aged Mama recently posted…Comment on The Year of the Blessing Project by Janet Camilleri
It is Janet, though it’s also hard work!
Haidee recently posted…Child vs Parent: Things Children Will Destroy
No we don’t do Elf on a Shelf, mostly because I can’t be bothered.
However, I have also put some of last year’s Christmas stuff away somewhere safe, and I have no idea where that somewhere might be.
EssentiallyJess recently posted…Love, Filing, and Washing on the Line #IBOT
Fair enough Jess, it’s just another thing to add to the list of things to do huh! 🙂 Good luck finding your stash!
Haidee recently posted…Child vs Parent: Things Children Will Destroy
I like the idea of doing something everyday leading up to Christmas but I just can’t get into Elf on the Shelf. I think I would probably end up leaving ours in the same spot for days on end, leading to the children thinking it had died or something.
I hope you find Alfie! I always enjoy seeing what people come up with – so many clever ideas that I would never think of!
Becky from BeckyandJames recently posted…Look what I’ve started
It’s certainly not for everyone 🙂
Haidee recently posted…Child vs Parent: Things Children Will Destroy
We’ve had a stuffed reindeer on the shelf for a few years. My kids were a bit old for it all when we first heard about the elf. I did decide to go and buy one this year, that is until I discover how expensive they were. That little elf stayed behind 🙂
Nicole @ The Builder’s Wife recently posted…Entertaining Summer Style-Pen Y Llechwedd An Update
Fair enough too Nicole! They are bloody expensive! I could justify it because my kids were 1 and 3 at the time so will get years out of him yet 🙂
Haidee recently posted…Child vs Parent: Things Children Will Destroy
We have an elf too, and ours has a very original name too, “elfie” I had stirct words to our Elf when they arrived that they weren’t to be messy, and set up (and pack up) could take no more than 5 minutes. 🙂 We are looking forward to our Elf visiting again.
Sarah recently posted…Elf on the Shelf – Ideas (IBOT)
Same name, different spelling! HIGH FIVE! Haha.
Haidee recently posted…Child vs Parent: Things Children Will Destroy
I don’t have one but I do love seeing everyone’s photos of what their cheeky elves get up to. #TeamIBOT
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages recently posted…Wanderlust Far from Home
Me too! Love seeing other peoples ideas!
Haidee recently posted…Child vs Parent: Things Children Will Destroy
We love Elf on the Shelf – let the minds games begin! Our Elf was caught in an illegal board game gambling circle, he pulled off Optimus Prime’s arm in a fight, and was plotting with Buzz Lightyear as to how to reach the chocolate… Occasionally he decides to ‘stay’ in the same spot for a few nights, nothing to do with the parents forgetting to move him of course, its just such an awesome position!
Emma @ Life, kids and a glass of red recently posted…Walk softly and wear big boots
So cool Emma! I know who to come to when I get stuck on an idea now!
Haidee recently posted…Child vs Parent: Things Children Will Destroy
The Elf is so cute but if ever I will see him on my bedroom or anywhere inside my house, for sure, I’ll freak out. Haha!
Haha, you’re not the only one I’m sure, my hubby is the same!
Haidee recently posted…Child vs Parent: Things Children Will Destroy
We played Elf on the Shelf for the first time last year. Mary (as in Mary Christmas) got up to loads of fun. We moved to California two months ago, and I’m amazed at the shelves full of EOTS accessories (different outfits, pet reindeer, etc) that are available. My 3 yr old twins (and I) can’t wait for the 1st Dec, when Mary will begin visiting again.
Oh yeah, HUGE over there!
Haidee recently posted…Child vs Parent: Things Children Will Destroy
I did this for the first time last year – they loved it but I had to be careful as the older ones do sometimes come downstairs #sharewithme
Mummy Fever recently posted…Cosy gear for tiny tots
Yeah, just another secret squirrel activity to add to the list of stealth missions 😉
Haidee recently posted…Child vs Parent: Things Children Will Destroy
I’m doing it for the first time this year and I am so excited to introduce her to my girls! x
Beth recently posted…5 Ways To Prepare Yourself For Christmas
Awesome! Let me know how it goes!
I have seen the elf on a shelf thing trickle through my twitter timeline for the last couple of years, and I have to confess im someone who finds them creapy little buggers, always watching you. Not for me xx
#Sharewithme
Tracey Abrahams recently posted…My Happy Diary – 25th November
Like Chucky but an Elf version huh? 😉
I did it last year and it was an epic fail! I’m publishing a post about it on Sunday, but lets just say he won’t be making an appearance this year!!! Love your ideas though 🙂 #BrilliantBlogPosts
Claire at Life Love and Dirty Dishes recently posted…Nampa Tivoli Children’s App Review
Oh, I can’t wait to read it! Tag me on Twitter when you post it (@maybebabybros)
I cannot wait to do this! My son is 18months this christmas so still a little young but i am definitely getting one for next year! #BrilliantBlogPosts
Becky (@EducatingR) recently posted…Tumble Tots are Go!
Yay! It’s fun 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
oooh you might like our Christmas letters lovely. They’d be perfect for your boys and really get them reading. X
International Elf Service recently posted…Christmas Stocking Filler Ideas. Ways To Inject More Magic!
We’re mad about Elf on the Shelf. “Chappie” arrived last night and I can’t wait to do something crazy/funny tonight. He just arrived on the Xmas tree last night! x
I’m waiting for my boys to go to sleep so I can work something out for Alfie to do tonight! I have no idea what!
Ahhh I love elf on the shelf. Ours has been up to no good this week already. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With Me. #sharewithme
Jenny recently posted…Me & Mine {November}
Hold up – pencil drawing? Amazing!
Jodine [Misses Mac] recently posted…12 Days of Christmas – A Blog Collaboration by Kiwi Mummy Bloggers