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Photo by Klutch Photography

Have you heard of the Elf on the Shelf?

This tradition can add lots of magic to your season … as long as you know what you’re getting into.

The Elf on the Shelf is that.  An elf that suddenly appears in the home from the North Pole.  Depending on your levels of creativity, sometimes comes with a note or book explaining his/her arrival.  The story I first heard was that the elf is sent by Santa to check in on children, and each night reports back to the North Pole.  When the kids wake up, the elf will be in a new spot.  (And of course, NEVER touch the elf.)

Now some elves get into trouble overnight.  Some get into fun, elaborate setups involving props and at times, a big old mess.   You can find some extremely hilarious “adult” elf situations online too!

The Elf on the Shelf tradition is fun, but it can be a lot of work.  It is a DAILY commitment at a time when your schedule gets totally out of whack and you have so many things to remember.

“I wonder when our elf will come,” my son asked, after hearing so many other children describe the delightful antics of their own elves.  At the time I had VERY little capacity for any new tasks, with three kids under 6 and a full-time job.  A dear friend said, “You don’t need to do ALL month.  Just do a week or 12 days of Christmas or whatever!”

Brilliant!  It’s so great because there’s the added excitement of WHEN will the elf show up?!  (We all know the where, because there are no elf scenarios here, dude just sits on one of the 5 random spots we can stuff him.)  And you might start off with some great ideas, but burn out quickly if you have to do it TWENTY FIVE NIGHTS in a row.

All in all a fun tradition if you do it your OWN way, for your own family’s enjoyment, and so that you do NOT get overwhelmed or feel intimidated by the way other elves act on social media!

-Jen
#ThatSurreyMom
@jenxrobbins