Why Elf on the Shelf still appears in our house

Nick and the leg lamp

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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It seems this time of year there are two types of people. Those who hate Elf on the Shelf and those who love Elf on the Shelf. I am in the category of love. While I don't understand the hate, I certainly respect those of you who do not enjoy this Christmas-time tradition.

Player!

Our family was introduced to the Elf in 2007. St. Nick brought the book and my three kids voted and named our elf Nick. By now you probably know how it works, but just in case you don't... the Elf magically transports to the North Pole each night while everyone is sleeping to report to Santa Claus. The original idea was to encourage kids to behave this time of year. Yes, there are memes of belts saying that's how they were made to behave back in the day, but I digress.

Nick likes craft beer (2016)

For our family, Nick was never meant to be something to "make them be good." Let's face it, I've heard plenty of parents threaten their kids long before the Elf on the Shelf craze that Santa Claus wasn't coming if they didn't straighten up. But I've never once seen a parent follow through on that threat. No kid that I know of has never awoken on Christmas morning to a stocking full of coal or no presents under the tree because of how they behaved.

Minonizing the bananas (2015)

The last few years it's become more fun for me to see what exactly Nick is going to do each night. There are plenty of websites with good ideas. Last year after Christmas when our youngest daughter wanted to know the truth about Santa, I decided the Elf tradition was going to stay. 

Nick battles Harry Potter

So here we are in a house of non-believers in Santa or the Elf, but Nick still makes his evening trek to the North Pole. It's fun. The kids still like seeing what silliness will ensue. No one is getting hurt in the process and it's created a tradition for our family. If you don't like it, go elf yourself. :) 

"Stone Cold" Stunner

Sure the Elf industry is booming and I applaud the authors Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell. Every time I see the display in the story with all the new accessories for the Elf, I wonder "why didn't I think of that." Merry Christmas and take a minute to enjoy the Elf.