I am all about family traditions when it comes to Christmas. Everyone seems to have their own. When my daughter was growing up she wrote a letter to Santa every Christmas Eve and couldn't wait for his response the next day. She left cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.

All of that is still a thing but a new character has been introduced to the mix. The Elf on the Shelf. This was not a thing when I was growing up. It was not a thing for my daughter. I am not even sure when this phenomenon started but boy did it take the world by storm.

It seems every year I see those darn elves fly off the shelves. I have never purchased one until this year. I have a granddaughter after all. I know she is a little too young for any of this but I found the perfect one so away she went making a visit to our home under our tree.

credit: Melissa Bartlett, TSM
credit: Melissa Bartlett, TSM
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I know she is only one and we have a few years before the Elf may decide to visit every single night. Some families participate and have signed up for the Elf to come to pay a visit. Some families say no.

credit: Melissa Bartlett, TSM
credit: Melissa Bartlett, TSM
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It's a lot of work for the parents. I get this. You have to hunt for this elf every single morning. See where he or she decided to hide. You may have to help the elf on their journey. Is this something my daughter will want to keep up with?

Then there is the whole, using this elf as a scare tactic. I mean if the elf reports back bad news to Santa will he really not come? Will Christmas be canceled? Will this backfire and your kiddo will only be good for you when the Elf and Santa are monitoring?

credit: Melissa Bartlett, TSM
credit: Melissa Bartlett, TSM
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Then there is the whole idea of someone watching you all day. Ok, that seems pretty creepy too. But Santa is watching too and the story is he always has been. So is this a good tradition to start?

I know it's a lot of work and to be honest, I think I am really grateful that the elf wasn't around when my daughter was growing up. I think. Maybe I would have loved it. I was a little overboard as a mom. So maybe I would have just eaten that up.

So Elf on the Shelf? We can still destroy the box if we decide it is all too much. If not this may be the beginning of a beautiful relationship. This may just be the thing that my daughter and Laila's dad will love doing over the years.

 

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