Have any of you heard of this? A close friend of mine who has small children told me about it. Evidently, it has become all the rage here in Georgia. Some people call them "secret elves."
The elf on the shelf
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> This charming tradition began for our family when my children were very small. Plagued by their desire to know how Santa really knew who had been naughty or nice, I searched through the Christmas decorations for a plausible explanation. Nestled among them was the answer; a small elf doll from my own childhood. With that discovery, the idea for the elf tradition was born.
At our home the elf would arrive around the holidays, usually at Thanksgiving. His sole responsibility was to watch my children's behavior and report it to "Santa" each night. The next morning after the children awoke, they discovered the elf had returned from the "North Pole" (with some parental assistance) and was hiding in a different place. My children would race each other out of bed to try and be the first to spy him in his new position.
Over the years the tradition was perfected and rules were even introduced. For example, to better preserve his mystique the children were not allowed to touch him; however, they were allowed to talk to him. For obvious reasons, he was not allowed to reply. Eventually, my children even gave him a name - officially adopting him into the family.
Unwittingly, the tradition provided an added benefit: it helped the children to better control themselves. All it took was a gentle reminder that the "elf was watching" for errant behavior to be modified.
I never dreamed this simple tradition would lead to so many Christmas memories for our entire family. It is my earnest desire that The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition will bring as much joy to your family as it has to mine.
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My friend bought two small stuffed elves (one for each child) at Hallmark who mysteriously appeared at her house on December 1st. Each night, after the children are asleep, the mischevious elves do something silly (like end up hanging from the chandelier or eating an entire bag of chips and leaving the crumbs on the table) and the children wake up and go looking for the elves.
The elves also have a direct pipeline to Santa so she said her kids are on their best behavior.
:rofl:
Even her daughter's kindergarten teacher has a secret elf and the teacher comes in each morning and shares with the students what her elf did the night before. One morning she awoke and found her car was parked sideways in the garage.
They are having the best time with it and my friend's husband spends all day thinking about what the elves will do that night. I thought this might be great for those of you with small children or grandchildren.
:xmasdancers:
~Kathy
The elf on the shelf
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> This charming tradition began for our family when my children were very small. Plagued by their desire to know how Santa really knew who had been naughty or nice, I searched through the Christmas decorations for a plausible explanation. Nestled among them was the answer; a small elf doll from my own childhood. With that discovery, the idea for the elf tradition was born.
At our home the elf would arrive around the holidays, usually at Thanksgiving. His sole responsibility was to watch my children's behavior and report it to "Santa" each night. The next morning after the children awoke, they discovered the elf had returned from the "North Pole" (with some parental assistance) and was hiding in a different place. My children would race each other out of bed to try and be the first to spy him in his new position.
Over the years the tradition was perfected and rules were even introduced. For example, to better preserve his mystique the children were not allowed to touch him; however, they were allowed to talk to him. For obvious reasons, he was not allowed to reply. Eventually, my children even gave him a name - officially adopting him into the family.
Unwittingly, the tradition provided an added benefit: it helped the children to better control themselves. All it took was a gentle reminder that the "elf was watching" for errant behavior to be modified.
I never dreamed this simple tradition would lead to so many Christmas memories for our entire family. It is my earnest desire that The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition will bring as much joy to your family as it has to mine.
</div></div>
My friend bought two small stuffed elves (one for each child) at Hallmark who mysteriously appeared at her house on December 1st. Each night, after the children are asleep, the mischevious elves do something silly (like end up hanging from the chandelier or eating an entire bag of chips and leaving the crumbs on the table) and the children wake up and go looking for the elves.
The elves also have a direct pipeline to Santa so she said her kids are on their best behavior.
:rofl:
Even her daughter's kindergarten teacher has a secret elf and the teacher comes in each morning and shares with the students what her elf did the night before. One morning she awoke and found her car was parked sideways in the garage.
They are having the best time with it and my friend's husband spends all day thinking about what the elves will do that night. I thought this might be great for those of you with small children or grandchildren.
:xmasdancers:
~Kathy