Elf on the Shelf beloved holiday visitor
It’s not just Christmas morning that is magical, but there is Christmas cheer every day leading up to it, thanks to the Elf on the Shelf.
For many families, like the Taylors in Conception Bay South, N.L., a magical elf arrives each morning, sometimes hiding in a new spot, or often creating mischief, all the while serving as a countdown until Christmas.
The elf is always creative, says Dana Taylor.
“The kids truly appreciate the elf,” she adds.
According to the accompanying book, the elf is supposed to watch the children during the day to make sure they are being good and reports back to Santa each night. It’s the spying component that has many parents against the idea.
“We don’t do Elf on the Shelf,” says Jodi Oliver of St. John’s, N.L. “We taught our kids that Santa is benevolent. He doesn’t need elf surveillance. We don’t do ‘naughty or nice’ either.”
For many, like Wanda Walsh’s family in Victoria, N.L., the elf is more of a friend who comes and visits before Christmas, which adds to the Christmas magic, cheer, and anticipation.
“The elf is not a spy for Santa. We don’t focus on the elf watching her,” says Walsh.
Ashley Miles, in St. John’s, N.L., says her Elf on the Shelf instead promotes kindness, as much as fun. For example, her elf may set up the baking supplies and bring along a letter that says, ‘let’s bake some cookies to share with our neighbours or friends.’ Or, if there is a community event, like a pet food drive, the elf will often be found sitting on a donation with a note for the family suggesting a visit to the animal shelter to help their furry friends.
Although the Elf on the Shelf is relatively new, the concept is not. Nancy Henry, from Kentville, N.S., used the elf with her family decades ago.
“The elf moved around the house each night looking for Christmas until he was found in the Christmas tree on Christmas morning,” says Henry.
FUNNY MISHAPS
Having an elf in the house often leads to some funny behind the scenes mishaps.
For example, after Nancy Greening-Lane’s family watched Home Alone, their Elf on the Shelf set up “traps” throughout their St. John’s, N.L. house. There was tape on the stairs and dinkies on the floor. After going to bed, Greening-Lane heard a lot of noise, including the dinkies rolling across the floor. She soon discovered the dog was stuck downstairs, covered in tape.
Kathryn Brien, meanwhile, said her elf soon learned to use the expensive lipstick when writing messages on the bathroom mirror of their Goulds, N.L. home. Two years later, the residue from writing a message with cheap lipstick still remains.
Many parents can identify with Sonya Ann Thorne. The St. John’s, N.L. woman has woken up abruptly in the middle of the night, worried their family’s elf had not moved.
“Some nights, I wake up and say ‘Jingle!’ - just like the mom in Home Alone,” she says.
A mad scramble in the dark, while half asleep, follows, as she makes sure her family’s elf has, indeed, returned from the North Pole.
TO ELF OR NOT TO ELF?
Walsh says Pinterest is full of photos that other families have shared of their own elf’s exploits – it’s a good way to imagine things your elf might do at your home.
Lots of parents say they don’t want the stress of having to manage the elf, but as Walsh says, if it adds stress, families don’t have to welcome an elf into their home. It’s a tradition that’s good if you find it fun and enjoyable but it shouldn’t be an obligation, she says.
Johanna Matthews of Mount Pearl, N.L. is cognizant that not everyone has an Elf on the Shelf and tries to explain to her son that Christmas is different for everyone. She wants him to be respectful to those who have different Christmas traditions.
Dr. Becky Keating, a registered clinical-developmental psychologist based in New Minas, N.S., says it can be tough for kids to hear about other’s elves when they don’t have one. To help your kids not feel left out, Keating suggests pointing out that it is just a fun thing some families do and is no different than your family having other traditions that their friends don’t have.
“It would be important, however, to talk to your child about not spoiling the experience for their friends,” she says.
Keating says it’s also important not to use the elf as a tool to improve children’s behaviour over the holidays; fear tactics are not recommended for encouraging positive behaviours.
“Let’s face it, even if your child’s behaviour was very challenging over the weeks leading up to Christmas, there is no way you would follow through with no presents saying ‘Santa thought you were too naughty!’ and it is challenging for most kids to manage their emotions and behaviours during the most exciting time of year,” says Keating.
For now, it seems the little red elf is here to stay. Representatives from Indigo say they continue to see strong interest in Elf on the Shelf across Canada and have seen an increase in popularity this year.