It’s that enchanting season again! Kids are busy crafting their wish lists… the first snowflakes are gently falling… our homes smell like peppermint and fresh pine… there’s joy all around… Wait, is this a scene straight out of a holiday movie? The truth is, we’re completely worn out trying to tick off every “Christmas magic” item on our to-do lists. Did you bake cookies? Sing along to Christmas carols? Write a letter to Santa? Construct a gingerbread house? Build a snowman? Decorate the tree? Hang up lights? Remember to actually switch them on each night? Complete the advent calendar? Keep in mind the true spirit of the season and give back to those in need? Get everything on your kids’ lists? On your partner’s list? On your parents’ and in-laws’ lists? Don’t forget teacher gifts?
And now you’re left feeling entirely overwhelmed and dreading the holidays. Fantastic! That’s why when the super creepy and utterly annoying “Elf on the Shelf” made its debut, many parents were like, “Absolutely not.” Want to know why? Because we’re exhausted from trying to create a memorable and magical experience while sprinkling holiday fairy dust throughout December. Please, don’t add one more thing to our plate.
I was already feeling overwhelmed by the elf posts when a friend added me to an “Elf on the Shelf” ideas group without asking. I quickly removed myself and unfriended her. #decembervibes
Confessions from the Trenches
Confessional #25760385: I’m unfollowing everyone on social media who posts Elf on the Shelf pictures. I can’t stand that creepy little gremlin.
Confessional #1672900: Christmas time on social media is a nightmare… mainly because of all the obnoxious Elf on the Shelf posts from other parents. I wish I could tell my friends how frustrating it is!
Confessional #1590826: I despise your Elf on the Shelf. I hope tomorrow’s Facebook update reads, “Night 72. Jingles has finally cracked. He left a note soaked in tears discussing my over-achieving personality and overdosed on syrup.”
Confessional #1410250: We don’t want an elf in our home, nor do we want to hear about yours. So, enough already, Mary Ellen, or you’re getting blocked. (Happy holidays!)
I do everything. My partner agreed to an Elf on the Shelf for our daughter, but he has no idea how much work that involves. I tried to explain it to him. He thinks just moving the elf once a week is sufficient. If you’re going to do it, do it right. So frustrating!
Confessional #25760121: My stepmother gifted us an Elf on the Shelf years ago. Absolutely not! I work full-time, have two kids, and already struggle to buy and wrap gifts and decorate the house. No elf for us! No guilt either!
Confessional #19994954: My mother-in-law got our daughter an Elf on the Shelf for Christmas. I gave her the elf to play with and hid the book. I’m not doing that ridiculous elf nonsense every year.
Confessional #2075830: Please don’t introduce an elf into our lives as just another task for Mom to manage. We’re looking at you, mother-in-laws. Sure, your sweet grandkids might love their own little Elfie, but are YOU going to remember to move that little thing at 11 p.m. after a day filled with tantrums and wiping tiny behinds? No, you won’t. So stay out of our elf-free holiday. Your grandkids will be just fine.
Now our elf has to compete with our daughter’s classroom elf?? Seriously?? Can everyone please tone down the Christmas chaos?
Confessional #25759794: The activity committee at work wants all departments to join an Elf on the Shelf challenge. What’s with the themes or whatever? No. Just no.
Confessional #19409494: Now the stupid Elf on the Shelf is bringing gifts to the kids?? Ugh, thanks, overachieving moms.
Confessional #25759505: I’m annoyed with the overachiever parents who have an elf for each child. I can barely remember to move one elf; there’s no way I’m managing the daily antics of three.
Confessional #20377819: Seriously, can all the overachievers just calm down? I apologize if we sound like Grinches, but our homes are festive enough, thank you.
Confessional #19805017: I let my daughter think our Elf on the Shelf lost its magic after she accidentally touched it yesterday, when in reality, it was just this tired mom who forgot to move it!
Confessional #19796295: The cat attacked the Elf on the Shelf, and now the kids are traumatized.
Confessional #1677977: I attended an adult Christmas party, and everyone got funny name tags. Mine was “Santa’s Little Fluffer.” I left it behind, and my son wondered if his elf’s name was “Fluffer.”
Confessional #19044250: We’re not doing the Elf on the Shelf this year. Last Christmas, he made the mistake of hiding where the dog could reach him and shredded him. Good dog!
Confessional #19982895: Those who’ve been down this road know that while the Elf might bring joy, it also brings a mountain of parenting challenges. Sometimes, those “challenges” can turn into parenting “victories.” (*Good dog.*) Kids have made Christmas so stressful for me… I can’t wait until they realize that the jolly guy in the red suit is just a myth!
Confessional #6450064: We don’t do Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, Elf on the Shelf—none of that. I can’t say that in real life because I get the obnoxious “you must be so much fun” comments. Whatever, our kids are still happy, lol.
Confessional #23020126: So if you’re also on Team No Elf, know that you’re not alone. There’s only so much “magic” we can handle before we turn into shells of our former selves—exhausted, slumped in the corner on Christmas Day, too drained to even pour another cup of coffee after weeks of being a holiday magic-maker.
And if you love the elf, fantastic! Can you come take care of ours? Thanks.
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Summary:
The holiday season can be overwhelming for parents trying to create a magical experience for their children, especially with the added pressure of the Elf on the Shelf tradition. Many parents express their frustration with the elf’s demands, feeling burdened by the need to keep up with elaborate antics and social media expectations. While some enjoy the elf’s charm, others prefer to keep the holidays simpler and free of added stress. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the diverse approaches families take to celebrate this time of year.