My house is in total chaos these days. When we took it off the market, I breathed a huge sigh of relief in the form of complete and utter lack of housekeeping. Now that I have so much time what with the holidays and all, it’s time to get it back in order and back on the market. I have organized every drawer and cabinet and closet and now I’m ready to do it again.
The only problem is that I can’t always find the things I need. Did I throw it away? Did I donate it? Did I shove it in some drawer? Is it packed in our POD? Normally I would just look at it as an excuse to go shopping and buy something new. Unless it’s something kind of important. Like THE ELF.
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I’m sure if you have children or remotely know anyone that has children, you’ve heard the Elf on the Shelf story. We actually bought the book and the elf a few years ago before the story became big. My husband actually got the author to sign the book.
I’m sure it was either my son’s first or second Christmas when we got the elf. We pushed the concept early on. We had heard that it worked wonders and as we were going through toddlerhood, we were looking for miracles.
It was either the first or second year that we had the elf that my son starting questioning his validity. Seriously. He was 2, almost 3, and he was questioning that elf. Was it really alive? Did it really report back to Santa? We made it through and although I was tempted to give in to his unrelenting 2 year old questions, I kept up the facade.
Then last year, he believed. He believed big time. And we played it up. We had near heart attacks every morning when we would wake up and have that sudden realization that WE FORGOT TO MOVE THE ELF! We could usually cover or make up stories that seemed plausible to a 3 year old. And we managed not to miss a single day of the elf. Until the most important day.
On Christmas last year, we were opening presents and my son looked over near the computer and said, “Look! The elf is still here!” Oh yes. We had left him sitting by the computer in our late night, bleary-eyed Christmas Eve haze.
We stuffed him away hurriedly and made a good cover story.
Now here’s the problem. Where the heck is the elf?
16 comments
FWIW, I have never heard of the elf before.
It really strange that most of the time when we look for something it goes missing and can’t be found..and only reappears when we are not “actively ” looking for it.
I have heard (well, read, let’s be honest, I have more contact with parents via the interwebz than in real life) about the elf on the shelf, but I didn’t really know the ins and outs of how this works. Anyway, I’m slowly piecing it together and may think about breaking it out next year when my girl is 2. But I know myself, and I’d be likely to forget to move it like on the second day.
My girls are a little old to bring out an elf at this point – but think its an awesome idea! Altho considering how the tooth fairy has failed us from time to time, probably would have kept me up at night 😉
I am still saying e are doing a goat and not a card this year btw … holding on, holding on!
I don’t know why, but we never had the Elf. Honestly, and I can’t believe I’m gonna say this, since I’m “all things Christmas” but, I don’t even know what he’s all about. But I hope you find yours. 🙂
Ok I must live under a rock because I have never heard of the Elf on the Shelf! I’ll have to look for it
Uh oh!! Haha. Need to put a GPS on the Elf…if you ever find him 🙂
Our elf is failing big time…Spencer likes looking for him and telling us how he went to the North Pole but as far as “henry” telling Santa when he’s naughty? He could care less! Thank goodness I got the elf for 40% off!! Maybe next year he will work better??
I hate when that happens. Try not looking for it and then it will show up, hopefully. That’s usually what happens to me. When I’m really looking for something, I can’t find it anywhere. Then, when I stop thinking about it, I’ll find it in some place that I’m sure I checked before.
I have seen the elf everywhere lately and I really can’t wait until I have kids so I can get one. I thought about getting one anyway and putting it out for J…but he’s a little old for it!
I’m afraid we don’t have an ‘elf on the shelf’, but we messed up last year by wrapping stocking presents with the same wrapping paper we wrapped our own presents with! Our oldest cottoned on 🙁 The others are still adamant that Santa’s real, though, thank goodness!
Never heard of the elf on the shelf, but it sounds so cute! Man oh man, I hope you find that elf, Fadra!!b:)
Elf on the shelf? What is this tradition?
Love that elf. We’re having a great time with ours and while I haven’t forgotten yet, I’m already preparing cover stories because inevitably I will. Hope you find yours!!
We have a few friends who love the Elf! My son, even though we don’t celebrate Christmas and he knows all about you-know-who, is still fascinated by the Elf.
Uh oh! I hope Shelf Elf is found soon! I’m curious what your little one will say if a new elf shows up.