It’s that time of year again—the moment when the most creative parents start pulling out their Elf on the Shelf ideas from Pinterest to wow their social media followers. Sure, it’s charming and I know the kids really enjoy it. This year, my 8-year-old even asked me directly why we don’t have an elf at our place. I can’t recall exactly what I said in the moment, but here’s the truth: our decision to skip the Elf on the Shelf isn’t due to me being a holiday grouch or lacking love for my child, nor is it because the elf got lost en route (which, let’s be honest, is a pretty solid excuse). The reality is, I’m just too lazy.
To my fellow non-elfing parents, I urge you to consider the commitment involved. Once you embark on the Elf on the Shelf journey, you’re locked in—for years! You face the daunting task of inventing new ways to surprise your kids every single morning for an entire month leading up to Christmas. For me, just one night of frantically wrapping gifts in stealth mode, trying to avoid being spotted while nibbling on cookies left for Santa, is plenty. You really want me sneaking around the bathroom, tossing cheddar Goldfish into the toilet while positioning a doll on the tank with a miniature candy cane fishing pole? Coming up with fresh ideas night after night—month after month—year after year? No way.
But despite my resistance, I can’t escape the onslaught of elves. I see you, social media friends. I admire your creativity! It’s clear your kids are having a blast, and I hold nothing but appreciation for your efforts. However, I’m not jumping on the bandwagon, and that’s perfectly fine.
Here’s another consideration, and it might just be tied to my own quirks: Sure, I could borrow ideas from others. A quick online search would yield an overwhelming amount of creativity, but honestly, where’s the enjoyment in that? I’d feel like a fraud every time I posed that elf next to a Barbie for a movie night. My child might giggle, but I’d know the truth. Mommy isn’t clever—she just borrowed someone else’s idea. Merry Christmas!
Additionally, every year, the Elf pressure seems to escalate. More friends are hopping on this trend, leaving me feeling like a total outlier for opting out of a tradition I have no intention of maintaining. Maybe I’m just plain boring, but consider this: what if a new bizarre tradition emerges? What if we suddenly feel compelled to welcome a Thanksgiving Turkey on the Shelf? Are you really up for that challenge? I’m certainly not. I’ll take my child to see a holiday show or even a Santa train ride, but I’m drawing the line at elves and imaginary turkeys.
To all my fellow non-elfing parents, let’s stand together. We can admire the cleverly staged elves in our feeds without judgment or envy. Let’s support our hard-working elfing friends while we comfortably shop for gifts online. Here’s to our shared laziness—I’m in your corner!
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In summary, while many families embrace the Elf on the Shelf as a beloved holiday tradition, I proudly stand apart, choosing instead to savor the season in my own way.