We are not Elf on the Shelf people.

There are several reasons for this.

1) I am afraid it would backfire. What if the kids did behave for a whole month, for no other reason than because the Elf was watching and would report back to Santa their behaviour? What happens after aforementioned Elf is gone? The behaviour would be back to hideous, there would be no reason to behave. So although I do yearn for one month of good behaviour, I would rather it be because of self regulation rather than fear of not getting a good gift. (And they'll realise Christmas Day they aren't getting a good gift).

So there is that.

2) Then there is the fact that we don't really do Santa in our house. So there's no need for an Elf if there is no belief in Santa. I want the kids to understand the financial sacrifice we lovingly make for each other when we buy gifts and why some gifts aren't so big. It doesn't make sense if Santa got BFF an i-pad and not my kids. Does Santa like them better? Were BFF's better behaved? (Probably, but let's not go there). We got them their gifts and we love shopping for them. I want them to know this and give their dad and me the credit.

3) Im not clever enough to remember to do the whole "let's think up an idea of mischief that the Elf got into today!" idea. I can barely remember to bring cookies to a class party, and the dates of the various December festivities. I certainly cannot think up and strategise cool things for the elf to do. Elf's social life cannot be higher on the list than my own.

So we are a sans elf household although I love reading what elves in other homes get up to!

Please note the above Elf does sit as an ornament in our home. He is about 45 years old and been in Charles' family since Charles was, let's say, learning to ride a bike. This little fella has a few brothers back in Toronto, too.