topic Re: Elf on the Shelf question in Community Chat

Elf on the Shelf question

traveler — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 15:50:02 GMT

When did the Elf start? My sons are 1980s babies and I know it wasn’t there for them. Now it seems to be everywhere.

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

chrystaltree — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 15:58:56 GMT

Good question. My kids were born in the mid 80's and I have nieces who came along in the early 90's and it wasn't around then. Not that I would have bought into it, it seems spooky to me.

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

I am still oxox — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 16:00:35 GMT

The Elf on the Shelf was written in 2004 by Carol Aebersold and daughter Chanda Bell over a cup of tea. Bell suggested they write a book about an old tradition of an elf sent from Santa who came to watch over them at Christmas time. Aebersold's other daughter, Christa Pitts, was recruited by the family to share her expertise in sales and marketing. Together, the trio devoted the next three years promoting their self-published book and attending book signings and trade shows.

The Elf on the Shelf won the Best Toy Award by Learning Express, won Book of the Year Award from Creative Child Awards and National Best Books Award sponsored by USA Book News in 2008. In 2012, The Elf on the Shelf made its first appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade alongside fellow parade newcomers Hello Kitty and Papa Smurf. In 2013, The Elf on the Shelf hit the No. 1 spot on the USA Today Bestsellers List.[1]

On 26 November 2011, the book aired on CBS as a 30-minute animated TV show, An Elf's Story: The Elf on the Shelf, directed by Chad Eikhoff.[2][3] The Washington Post criticized the quality of the animation and dismissed it as "just a half-hour advertisement for a book and a toy", which it felt would not join "the canon of prime-time animated Christmas specials that actually move the spirit".[3] Common Sense Media disagreed, calling the special "a great addition to families' holiday TV traditions";[4] however, they also warn parents about the consumer-driven nature of the story, and make note of its lack of educational value.

In October 2013, The Elf on the Shelf: A Birthday Tradition was released. Written and illustrated by the same team that created the first book, it offers instructions for inviting a scout elf to visit for a child's birthday party and describes how the elf decorates a chair for the child.[citation needed] In April 2014, two supplemental birthday products were released: The Elf on the Shelf Birthday Countdown Game and The Elf on the Shelf Birthday Chair Decoration Kit.[citation needed]

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Christa Pitts was a show host of QVC in the 1990's

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

Carmie — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 16:27:45 GMT

The actual elf was around when I was a child....in the late 50's-60's. A small box of candy was tucked in his folded legs. We used to get the elf/candy for Christmas each year. I am thinking it was a small Whitman Sampler box.

We used to eat the candy and play with the elf. My mother used to pack the elf away with the Christmas things each year and bring him out the following year for us to play with and as we had quite a few, she would decorate with them.

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

Suzeecat — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 16:44:46 GMT

I remember having those elves around when I was a kid in the 60s. All of a sudden, it became a "thing" that turned him into so much more than just a cute decoration.

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

lovesrecess — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 17:43:08 GMT

The book and the elf were great for my triplet granddaughters..."Lucky Elvin" kept all three of them in line....especially the two who tormented their sister all the time...she always looked forward to him arriving...she knew she would get some relief! SIL sat his alarm every night to get up and move him around. We spent the night there one time and ELvin almost scared me to death..he was on top of the bathroom mirror....kinda creepy!

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

occasionalrain — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 18:15:03 GMT

Creepy and poor parenting. If parents can't keep their children in line without bringing in a creepy thing and then lying to them about being spyed upon they are in desperate need of parenting classes.

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

chrystaltree — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 18:20:59 GMT

@occasionalrain wrote:
Creepy and poor parenting. If parents can't keep their children in line without bringing in a creepy thing and then lying to them about being spyed upon they are in desperate need of parenting classes.

I agree, I don't think it's in the holiday spirit which should be about joy and fantasy for little kids.

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

tansy — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 18:26:34 GMT

I find the elf creepy, too, but certainly not an indication of poor parenting.

As a a kid I felt threatened by the thought that Santa was watching me to see if I was deserving or not.

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

mimomof4 — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 18:31:14 GMT

I remember hearing that it was a "thing" in the 1950's.

I've had an Elf since my oldest was 3 or 4, now he is now 13. I wouldn't consider it a way to keep them in line. Christmas is such an exciting time when you are little. When they were really little I could say be careful your Elf is watching. What was really cute is watching them talk to the Elf. For them it was a way to communicate with Santa. Sometimes one would leave a note with the Elf to deliver.

I felt horrible if I forgot to move the Elf, my kids were heartbroken.

My youngest still believes so the Elf will be coming back out after Thanksgiving.

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

aggravated — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 18:45:38 GMT

The people at work with younger children talk about it CONSTANTLY at holiday times. Frankly, between their gift shopping, school activities, elfing and taking time off during the holidays and talking about all of it nonstop. Why don't people with children just take the month of December off? They practically do anyway.

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

graciesmom1003 — Thu, 01 Nov 2018 22:14:40 GMT

our elf Sally, comes the night after Thanksgiving since they were almost 2yrs old. she moves to the wildest, most exciting locations every night. sometimes she brings little gifts each morning, sometimes she gets into mischief and makes a mess overnight. the best is that she has given us 8 years of the fun of searching for her each morning and taking care to never touch her. it is a remarkably simple and gentle way to pass the month before Christmas each year. i hope we never out grow her, i know i won't!

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

traveler — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 00:01:06 GMT

Thank you all. By 2000 my kids were in college so no interest there. I have always thought it looked cheap and was manipulative but to each their own.

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

homedecor1 — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 00:24:06 GMT

@graciesmom1003

that's wonderful! I can't remember my GD elf name but I think it's a "wonderful" fantasy in this world of sad & crazy happenings. I enjoy hearing all the silly places she ends up!

To those who say it's a sign of "poor parenting" I disagree! When we were kids our parents always started reminding "Santas watching!". We believed it especially on Christmas Day when we got wonderful things from him for being good!

I wish we could all enjoy the fantasy Santa forever...instead of "growing up"!

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

Cakers3 — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 02:10:32 GMT

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

Cakers3 — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 02:19:17 GMT

I don't think it is bad parenting but I don't agree with telling children to behave for some toys at Christmas.

Yes, Santa was a big thrill for me as a child but the nuns took the wind out of those sails. lmao

I wouldn't mind the elf if he (or she) were used as an example of Santa's helper but the thing is just creepy. And I swear it's eyes move when I see one in Hallmark. lmao

I'm pretty sure most kids realize that they are going to get the toys regardless of how they behave. Because come Christmas morning the presents are always there.

Children aren't clueless.

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

Wsmom — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 03:31:54 GMT

My kids are late 20s so thank goodness that wasn't a thing when they were little because good grief moms today are under a lot of pressure with all the pintrest posts and all the clever things they do with that elf. My friend's grandpa was babysitting and had no idea and touched it! The kid was traumatized. I think it's a really cute idea but man am I glad I didn't have to try to remember to do some fun thing with that elf every night after the kids went to bed.

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

AuntMame — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 09:20:56 GMT

My parents used to do this in the early '60s, move little plastic-faced elves around the house every night. They never spied on misbehaving children however.

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

candys mine — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 09:59:53 GMT

I'm sure we had one of those elves in the 60's but he was not connected with the Elf on the Shelf. I think I would have enjoyed having an elf that reported to Santa my hopes and wishes every night and to find it in another place each morning would have been magical BUT and this is a big one for me. I think the elf MISBEHAVING is a big No no. How can they expect children to be good when the elves do bad things? Would not have been tollerated. Only perhaps, if it were obviously a good intention gone wrong.

Just a question re: protocol what do you do if the elf falls on the floor? Does the no-touch rule for children still apply?

edited to remove wierd emoji apperance!

Re: Elf on the Shelf question

KingstonsMom — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 11:32:28 GMT

@Wsmom wrote:
My kids are late 20s so thank goodness that wasn't a thing when they were little because good grief moms today are under a lot of pressure with all the pintrest posts and all the clever things they do with that elf. My friend's grandpa was babysitting and had no idea and touched it! The kid was traumatized. I think it's a really cute idea but man am I glad I didn't have to try to remember to do some fun thing with that elf every night after the kids went to bed.

@Wsmom

Why aren't you supposed to touch it?