
While many have now grown up with this Christmas tradition, for others it’s a fairly new concept. That trend isn’t a part of the original story, but it’s another reason parents might shy away from it. Especially Christian parents, who know that we don’t get gifts because we’re “good,” but rather we celebrate Jesus coming to save us because we so often fail to be “good.”Īs the popularity of Elf on the Shelf has soared, many parents go all-in on creating unique scenarios in which the elf is discovered, often in the midst of creating his own mischief. However, many parents worry that the little Elfie gets turned into a tool for behavior manipulation. Is Elf on the Shelf Bad?Įlf on the Shelf can be a silly and fun family Christmas tradition that brings joy to children each morning of the Christmas season. They also get to look forward to finding the elf each morning as he occupies a new spot whenever he returns from the North Pole. “Don’t forget the Elf is watching” was (and still is) used to remind children that their naughty and nice deeds were being reported back to Santa, potentially impacting their gifts that Christmas. The big idea behind Elf on the Shelf was to encourage children to be on their best behavior during the holidays. He observes the household and reports back to Santa each night, landing in a new location each morning. This elf, who comes in your choice of boy or girl, is “adopted” and named by your kids. In 2005, “ Elf on the Shelf” was published with a similar story and elf character. This toy and accompanying storybook maintained some level of popularity throughout the 80s and 90s and into the 2000s. He would play hide and seek each day, then report back to Santa on Christmas Eve. The “Elf on the Shelf” concept actually originated in the 1960s with an Ohio family’s tradition, which was then marketed in 1984 as “ Christopher Pop-in-Kins.”Ĭhristopher was a cute but nosey little elf that would aid Santa by “popping in” throughout the holidays. We sometimes earn a commission when you click through the affiliate links on our website. Other Religious Elf on the Shelf Alternatives.Christian Elf of the Shelf Alternatives.Elf on the Shelf Alternatives (Secular).So, who is the Elf on the Shelf? What does he (or she) do, and what are some healthier substitutes? We’ll answer all those questions and more for you today. Still other families want to have fun and festive traditions that keep the focus on the birth of Jesus Christ and what that means for the world and for their lives. Others prefer to train their children to enjoy doing good for its own sake, rather than doing good in hopes of getting more stuff on Christmas morning. Some are wary of unintentional mental harm caused to children who might actually believe that a magical creature is spying on their behavior. It’s all intended in good fun, but many parents detect an unhealthy disorder in the Elf’s mischief. Over the last few Christmas seasons, Elf on the Shelf has become synonymous with - and perhaps notorious for - all sorts of wild pranks and silly hijinks.


There are lots of Elf on the Shelf accessories, too-try Elf coloring pages to keep both him and your children occupied, printable joke cards to help you spell out the hilarity of it all, and (of course!) an Elf on the Shelf face mask that's perfectly relevant for 2022-plus so, so much more.Elf on the Shelf alternatives and other family-centric holiday traditions are becoming popular as parents begin to wonder, Is Elf on the Shelf bad? Start with one of our Elf on the Shelf return ideas for your Scout Elf to make their big debut, then have fun with activities! Outfit them in Elf on the Shelf clothes like festive costumes, winter coats, and even ugly Christmas sweaters. Every Scout Elf deserves their own moniker, so choose from our Elf on the Shelf names like Buddy and Peppermint.

Here, you'll find a comprehensive list of funny Elf on the Shelf ideas to give you a head start on the year's silliest game for grown-ups and kids.
#Elf time out bench movie#
It's only at night (how convenient!) that they come alive and wreak playful havoc on your home in the name of spreading Christmas spirit-eating your Christmas cookies, sitting beside you during your family's Hallmark movie marathon, and beyond. In the weeks and days leading up to Christmas, they silently watch over your kids during the day and report their "naughty" or "nice" behavior to Santa himself.

Nowadays, these cute troublemakers are practically synonymous with Christmas. It's always nice to add something fun or silly to the mix, and there's one holiday practice that's gained pretty widespread popularity over the years: the magical, mischievous Elf on the Shelf. Every family has its fair share of Christmas traditions.
