I admit that I am probably the last to know about Elf on the shelf. I actually learned about this fairly new tradition last year. According to some moms I spoke with, the Santa’s little helper saves Christmas in their household every year. But is it a good or bad idea to introduce it to your kids?
Elf on the Shelf: Good or Bad Idea?
For those of you who have been living under a rock like me and have no idea what this tradition is all about, the Elf is one of Santa’s workers. According to the the Website, the special scout elf is sent from the North Pole to help St. Nick manage his naughty and nice lists.
When a family adopts a scout elf and gives it a name, the scout elf receives its Christmas magic and can fly to the North Pole each night to tell Santa Claus about all of the day’s adventures. Each morning, the scout elf returns to its family and perches in a different place to watch the fun. Children love to wake up and race around the house looking for their scout elf each morning.
Some families like to make a fun game out of it while relying on the elf to keep their kids in check until Christmas morning. But there are some who also believe that the Elf on the shelf is a bad idea.
Blogger Vicki V. Lucas actually banned the scout from her home claiming, “it promotes the thought that someone is always waiting for you to mess up.”
She also accuses him of being a tattle teller and goes against the spirit of Christmas. “The story of Jesus being born is a story that still awes and inspires me. The sacrifice of giving gifts to each other fills my heart with love. When we focus on the real meaning of Christmas, we find no need for a little elf,” she writes.
Lucas does raise some pretty interesting and valid points. I don’t co-sign being a tattle teller. But, isn’t that what teachers do too? They report back to the children’s parents regarding their behavior and performance in school, whether good or bad. If you ask me, that sounds like what the Elf does with Santa.
I also think it’s important to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. But, the Elf doesn’t eliminate the history behind it. As long as you teach your kiddos about holiday, you shouldn’t have to worry about it being overshadowed by Santa’s helper.
It’s okay to change things up a bit and add something new to the holiday. Adding the it to the festivities doesn’t mean you denounce Christ.
My hubby and I decided to introduce the little guy to our kids this year. We watched Princess and O’s face light up as we read the book and explained the rules. They even named their new friend and promised to behave themselves between now and Christmas.
So far, it’s working like a charm. With the holiday season in full swing, things tend to get a bit crazy. It’s nice to know that we have out little friend to help keep the kids in check until Christmas.
Do you think the Elf on the Shelf is a good or bad idea?