The Elf On The Shelf

Meet “Sprite”.  Yes, he’s kind of scary looking in a clownish kind of way.  Yes, he is homemade.  And YES, this is our family’s “Elf on the Shelf”.

Don’t laugh.

I said, don’t laugh!

OK.  Laugh.  Because we do.  I discovered Sprite while going through some boxed-up toys from childhood a couple of years ago.  It was around the time that the Elf on the Shelf craze was catching on, and when I saw him, I instantly wondered if I could pass him off as a “sort-of Elf on the Shelf”.  My son is not stupid and he catches on to things pretty fast, so I knew this was probably not going to go over well with him.  His teacher at the time had the real deal in their classroom, so he would know the difference.  I’m sure you might wonder why in the world I just didn’t go out and buy one.  Well, $30 for a tiny little elf that only showed up every December just seemed like a frivolous expense I couldn’t justify.  I know…I’m such a scrooge!

I can proudly say now I’m glad I didn’t cave and buy the real thing.  This little elf was handmade for me as a little girl by a dear family member who has since passed on.  Thankfully, she got to meet my son right before she passed away.  She was awesome, cool, and so great to talk to.  She is dearly missed.  And what did E.B. think?  He thought it was funny.  I typed up a little note from Sprite letting him know that he would be hanging out until Christmas.  Each day, I moved Sprite so he would be somewhere different when E.B. woke up.  Now, I don’t pull out all of the stops and make our elf do naughty, cutesy things like I have seen on the internet.  Let’s face it, this working mama is doing good to remember to move Sprite at all.

So, Sprite made his appearance last week and he’s currently sitting under the Christmas tree because, oops, I forgot to move him.  Two days ago.  I’m guessing at E.B.’s age, this whole Elf on the Shelf thing might be funny for another couple of years.  I’m convinced this child doesn’t believe it at all and is just going along with it to amuse me.

Do you do the Elf on the Shelf for your child?  Maybe something different?  I’d love to hear about it!