The meaning behind new holiday classic: Coal in a Bowl
Move over Elf on the Shelf to make room for Coal in a Bowl
ASTON >> The premise is almost as old as time. Nice children get toys from Santa and naughty children find coal in their stockings on Christmas morning.
Thanks to toy designer Joshua Murphy, naughty kids can now receive coal a little earlier in the season, along with a chance to prevent getting it on the big day. The new Coal in a Bowl comes with an opportunity for receivers to redeem themselves into “good kids” in time for Santa’s annual visit. The frowning plastic Coal in a Bowl, donning a Santa hat, with his finger posed midair, in admonishment style, comes with this note that is signed by “Coal”:
“Your grandparents might have told you stories about getting coal in their stockings at Christmas because they were not very good that year. That’s just like me, except I am Coal in a Bowl. Santa sent me to remind you to be thoughtful, helpful and kind, so we can make sure that you’re on Santa’s nice list and not his naughty list. When I appear, you have to try really hard to be on your best behavior. Every night, my job is to report back to Santa and let him know if you are a good boy or girl that day. You will see me hanging around until I can tell Santa that your behavior has improved. Only then will I be able to go back home to the North Pole. Remember, always be on your best behavior because
“One night, around Christmas time, my wife, Tia, and I were putting our kids to bed. As every parent probably knows, bedtime can be very difficult with kids, who try everything they can to delay going to bed. I told them that they were going to get coal in their stockings if they did not listen and go to bed.”
— Josh Murphy
I can always come back!”
Murphy’s idea to design “Coal in a Bowl” came about rather accidentally, through inspiration from his two children, Marissa, 6, and Alexa, 3.
“One night, around Christmas time, my wife, Tia, and I were putting our kids to bed. As every parent probably knows, bedtime can be very difficult with kids, who try everything they can to delay going to bed,” explained
Murphy. “I told them that they were going to get coal in their stockings if they did not listen and go to bed.”
Later that night, the couple was working on a Christmas tradition that many families honor during the holidays. They were trying to find a new place for their resident little elf, so the kids would be surprised in the morning. Frustrated from the earlier bedtime experience, they joked to each other that, instead of an elf, there should be a toy that contained coal, one that would appear when children have days that aren’t “so great.” As they laughed at the idea, they joked it could be called “Coal in a Bowl.”
“My wife always tells me that I am a professional arts and crafts person because of what I do for a living,” chuckled Murphy. “So, I decided to make a bowl of coal as a joke. I fashioned it with arms and a face and a little printout of a Christmas hat. After I was done making it, I took a picture and sent it to some family members. They thought it was funny and my father, Dan Murphy, mentioned that I should pursue the idea and even get a patent. I thought he was kidding.”
After showing the Coal in a Bowl prototype around to family, friends, and coworkers, Murphy was persuaded to look into the patent, trademark the name, and find a manufacturer. The project took two years from idea to finished product. Coal in a Bowl, Santa’s other little helper, is now ready to inspire good behavior in boys and girls everywhere, right in time for this year’s holiday season.
Murphy, a resident of Chesapeake City, Maryland, grew up in Delaware County, where his parents, brother and other family still live. He attended Green Ridge Elementary School, Northley Middle School and graduated from Sun Valley High School. The Aston native has owned Murphy Design and Graphics, LLC, a small design and sticker company, since 2005. The company also produces banners and magnetic signs, available at cartattz.com/, and has many local customers that include Aston Middletown Little League, several Delco fire companies and the Trainer Police Department among them.
“When it seems like your children don’t hear you anymore and refuse to listen, Coal in a Bowl, can visit your house to remind them that they need to behave,” stated Murphy. “I hope families will make Coal in a Bowl their new Christmas tradition.”
People can learn more about the novelty product, by going to www.coalinabowl.com. The product can be shipped. For more information, visit https:// www.facebook.com/coalinabowl or follow Coal in a Bowl on Twitter or Instagram.