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Dec
10
Elf on the Shelf: Cool or Creepy?
2008 at 11am Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky
If you’ve watched any morning news program this holiday season, chances are good that you’ve heard something about the Elf on the Shelf.
In case you don’t know, here’s the premise: the creator’s children wanted to know how Santa really knew if they’d been naughty or nice, so, inspired by a doll from her childhood, she came up with the Elf on the Shelf. He sits watching the children during the day, then he returns to the North Pole each night to report on their behavior. You know he’s left and come back because he appears in a different place each morning, and the kids have to go find him in his new spot. In order to “preserve his mystique,” the kids are not allowed to touch the elf, but they can talk to him (presumably to tell him how nice they’ve been).
This has been a hot holiday item for several years, but this is the first year we’ve had it in our store. People are crazy for it, and it has sparked a lot of conversation among our staff. Is this a cool idea to start a tradition with your kids and (hopefully) get them to behave nicely during the holidays, or is it a creepy, Orwellian way to “play with your kids’ minds” (as one of my coworkers said) and make them think they’re being watched?
Me? I think it’s pretty harmless. But I can see how it might be creepy.
What do you think?
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I got my picture taken with the Elf at BEA, lol. I think it’s kind of cute.
I hadn’t heard of it before, actually, but I don’t think it’s too creepy, just a clever way to get kids to think about their behavior. The idea is that Santa knows what you’ve been doing anyway, so if it’s creepy, it’s been creepy all along. And once the kid stops believing in Santa, which happens fairly early along for most kids, it won’t matter anymore.
I was the kid that was afraid of the monster in the closet, so i think as a child, i wouldn’t have liked it (especially if i couldn’t touch it). Now, i think it’s kind of a neat idea (for a book) but still not sure i would want a REAL one in the room I’m sleeping in… =D
I think it is mostly clever, but the NAME sure sounds creepy.
this is the oddest thing I’ve ever heard of…a bit creepy
My brother, as a young kid, would routinely have nightmares of his toys coming to life and walking around the bedroom, so I’m sure this one would have traumatized him for life!
The elf does stray pretty close to the line that separates “cute” from “creepy”, which is probably intentional. Then again, I’m one of those rare people who doesn’t consider clowns to be in any way creepy, so what do I know.
I agree with Meghan, if the whole “watching if you’re nice” thing is creepy, Santa has been creepy all along. I don’t think he has been, but he’s certainly always been a tool for keeping the kids in line–cf the versions involving a sidekick that will beat you or take you away in a sack if you were naughty. Knecht Ruprecht is way creepier than the also rhyming Elf on the Shelf.
I don’t think it’s creepy exactly…but I always hated the idea that Santa wouldn’t give gifts to “naughty” children.
This is the first I’ve seen it, too — and I find it a smidge creepy. My dad used to always tell my sister and I that “little birds” were watching us everywhere we went, and they were the ones reporting to Santa on our behavior! I guess this is just a tangible representation of that same idea.
I am not fond of the notion of teaching our children to make proper choices only because ‘someone’ is watching, so this doesn’t appeal to me in the least.
I don’t know that I would categorize it as creepy, however. The elf is rather cute.
I love Elf on a Shelf. I agree with some of the others about how it motivates them to be good in a sort of “big brotherish” way but I think for the most part, it’s harmless.
I’m the Mom that is always saying.. Santa knows everything. Santa is watching, blah blah. My little one really believes it too and often tries to argue with me over what is considered naughty etc.
I was going to buy it last year but it was a tad pricey if I recall. Like, $30??
I don’t think it’s creepy, but I would pass on it. We never used that “you have to be good or Santa won’t come stuff” on our son. What kid can be good all the time? Plus, Santa was going to come regardless.
Eh, I guess it doesn’t matter one way or the other, but I’m on the Orwellian side of this. I, too, was afraid of my toys coming to life at night, because I watched a stupid episode of Goosebumps and had to read a Goosebumps book in Spanish (Escalofrios) about the same thing. No bueno.
Anyway, we probably won’t do the whole Santa thing at our house anyway. It’s a long story though.
Creepy. Maybe Santa really is the original Big Brother.
Very creepy. The idea just freaks me out lol.
Hmm, I won’t way in on “cool” or “creepy” … I’m just bummed out that I didn’t think of marketing this little elf! Someone is raking in the dough with this little guy!
When my classmates (I’m in 5th grade) told me about elf on the shelf yeasterday I got really scared. I know that my parents would never let a little migit spy in the house but how do you know that he won’t do something creepy at night?? I watched jeff dunham and as penut said about santa, ” A fat old guy in a furry gay outfit covered in sut, he’s smoking, and you let him inside the house because he says he has something for your kids”. And he sends an elf who stays in your house for a month doing who knows what when you’re not looking. It’s really creepy!!! I can’t stop thinking that the elf is going to kill me at night!! The elf on the shelf I pictured is a dark haired kinda goth looking sharp teeth holding a knife having a “soon, soon….” kind of smile. CREEPY!!!! I think I’m watching too much robot chicken…..
The really sad thing about this book is it’s telling the kids to be nice not naughty, right? Yet the woman who has published this book has taken this tradition that was told to her over thirty years ago by a neighbor “friend” and claimed it as her own. What money does to people is amazing
I love this idea and I don’t think it is creepy at all. I agree with the poster who said Santa has always been watching, at least now we know how. This tradition has actually been a round a VERY long time. It comes form the Scandanavian countries and has just gained more popularity with the advent of this book and story. My grandmother used to do something like this.
we love are new elf jingles hes a delight for are kids it is the first time in a long long time that my kids have’nt been nauty its a life saver
I think it’s pretty cool i have one myself his names buck.Just to tell you why would you think there creepy?there very sweet!
My mother in law bought this and I asked her to return it. I have my own system with elfs watching from afar and Santa doing fly-bys in airplanes to check on children, which is creepy yet cunning. I think when the lines between make-believe and reality are crossed, the result is this molded, plastic, massed- produced Christmas elf that comes to life: CREEPY!! Why not let a child picture what an elf looks in his/her mind, not a personal stalker. My daughter has been assigned an elf, #12 and he has become what her personal vision of what an elf looks like not “made in china” for the masses.
Well said!
Our elf was burned up in a light fixture. We need to replace him. Where can I find just the elf. We still have the book and the box. Just need an elf. Please help……….
Probably e-bay. I don’t think the manufacturer offers the elf alone.
emily30115, I have 2 elves and they are not creepy at all…. I have one that is 9 years old and one that is 109(!!!) My friend has a mean elf,… but the worst that it did was eat all the halloween candy! lol
Not creepy. Clowns are creepy. The elf is ok.
I honestly think it is mostly harmless, but there is some creepy potential. I posted my thoughts here:
http://www.scottseesthings.blogspot.com
This is the first year that I’ve heard of it. I was at Targer a few days a go, and saw the book on a shelf. But, didn’t really think much of it at first. Then yesterday, my kids kindergarden teacher read it to the students. Today, I decided to buy the book. I really don’t think it’s creepy. I have explained to my kids that mommy and daddy work to get the presents, and it is important to obey us and to make wise decisions. We have emphasized that we celebrate CHRISTmas because of Jesus Christ; it’s His birthday. And that Santa Clause and his elfs are part of the Christmas tradition and celebration.