Blame the Elf on the Shelf
Woman in the Middle | December 17, 2014When I was growing up back in the dark ages, also known as the 1960s, part of the Christmas decor that my mother pulled out every year were a few little elves. They had cute little plastic faces and cloth bodies. Their little arms were sewn together at the ends so you could tuck their knees up under their arms. We had one with a red felt outfit, two other smaller ones dressed in shiny gold cloth and, my favorite, because it was mine, was wearing a green and white stripped suit. I loved those little elves and I always looked forward to their appearance at Christmas time. Here they are this year sitting on my mantle. Aren’t they adorable?????
I eventually inherited my mother’s elves. Their cute little plastic faces so remind me of my childhood Christmases. Over the years I have added to my elf collection from various garage sales and thrift stores and I take great delight in putting them all out together on a table or mantle somewhere in the house. Midcentury Christmas decor at its best!
My family doesn’t feel quite the same about my little elves. I noted that in all the Christmas stuff we found at Mom -in-laws, there wasn’t one little elf. This may explain why Hubby doesn’t have the same love for them. But my daughters? One, who shall remain nameless, thinks they are “creepy.” I find this quite distressing and blame that dratted “Elf on the Shelf.” In case you do not know, “Elf on the Shelf” is a book that comes with an elf that looks a lot like my elf with the red suit. The book is about the “scout elf” who keeps an eye on children and reports back to Santa about who is naughty and who is nice. It is a way to keep your kids in line during December.
I feel like this book has turned my delightful little elves into tattletales and narcs. I bowed to pressure and didn’t put them out last year. But, this year, I said to heck with it and put three of my little guys out in my den. I think they are just having a good time. I don’t think they are reporting on us to anybody. Take that, Elf on the Shelf!
Yes they are adorable and how great is it that you still have them
My mom had a couple of elves like that, and I think she gave one to me, but I didn’t like him; I thought he looked irritable, and I always wanted to smack him. My brother and family has him now, and I still want to smack him whenever I see him.
On the other hand, a few years ago I had bought a couple of sparkly elves that I absolutely love – one from a Christmas store in Mystic, Connecticut, and the other from Vons. They sit on my shelf all year long and no, they aren’t tattletales!
No irritable elves!!!
I like your little elves on the shelf! Not creepy but then I never saw that spy-elf film. I say, “If it makes you happy,” put them all out. Cheers!