The Elf on the Shelf does not talk. It is a tradition that is part of many families’ holiday celebrations, where an Elf figurine is placed in a home and moves to a different spot each night. The Elf is meant to be a reminder of the spirit of the holiday season and a way for parents to help teach their children about the importance of being good.
By moving around the house during the night, the Elf carries reports back to Santa of the behavior of the children throughout the season. It is a fun tradition that many families have enjoyed for years.
How does Elf on the Shelf arrive for the first time?
Elf on the Shelf usually arrives on the first day of December. The exact timing is up to the individual family, either on December 1st or during the days leading up to it. On the night of the child’s arrival, the parents should set up a magical scene for the elf.
This can include decorations such as lights and tinsel, or fun activities like baking cookies and writing letters welcoming the elf. After setting the scene, the parents then read the special storybook about the Scout Elves and the Magic of Santa.
The child then places the elf in a special spot in their home and sprinkles the magic of Christmas all around. For the rest of the month, the elves will arrive in unexpected places, adding festive cheer and smiles to the holiday season.
What age should you start elf on a shelf?
Many parents choose to start Elf on the Shelf with their children when they are old enough to understand the concept of Santa and his helpers. Parents may also decide to begin the “elf on the shelf” tradition when their children are toddler or pre-school age, as it can be fun to introduce the elf and create imaginative scenarios to bring the elf to life.
However, depending on the age of the child, parents may want to consult with them before introducing a mischievous elf that “watches” them throughout the holiday season. It’s also important to remember that Elf on the Shelf is ultimately about creating lasting memories for the entire family.
Therefore, it’s important to only do what works for your family and what your children are comfortable with.
How do I tell my kid about the elf on the shelf?
Telling your kid about the Elf on the Shelf can be a fun and exciting experience. Start by explaining to your child what the Elf is and why it’s in their home. Explain that the Elf is a magical scout that has been sent by Santa Claus, to help him keep track of who’s been naughty and who’s been nice.
Explain to them that the Elf will visit and observe children up until Christmas Eve, when it returns to Santa.
Then explain to them the rules of the Elf, such as that it can’t be touched or else it will lose its magic, and that kids should be on their best behavior when the Elf is around. Tell them that the Elf will move around the home every night, and will bring treats or surprises to those who are behaving.
Finally, explain that the Elf won’t be around forever and will disappear on Christmas Eve, so they should make the most of their time with the Elf while they still can. Let your child know that they can talk to the Elf and make requests to it, and it will be sure to let Santa know.
The Elf on the Shelf can be a fun and exciting way to get your kids in the Christmas spirit, so make sure to have plenty of fun with them as the Elf makes its rounds in your home.
Why did my elf not move?
The most likely reason is that the batteries are dead or dying. You should try replacing the batteries to see if that solves the issue. If not, it is possible that the elf has malfunctioned and needs to be replaced.
Additionally, if you bought your elf from a kiosk or store, it could be that it is not designed to move once it has been shut off and may require resetting in order to get it to move again.
Is elf appropriate for 7 year olds?
It depends on the maturity level of the individual 7 year old and the content of the particular movie or show. Generally speaking, movies and shows featuring elves typically range from PG to PG-13, containing fantasy elements with some mild action, peril, and other more mature themes that may not be appropriate for smaller children.
Therefore, it is encouraged to do a bit of research to see if the 7 year old will be comfortable with the content. Additionally, it is important to discuss expectations, rules, and boundaries before viewing the movie or show, as well as monitor viewing sessions, so it may be a good idea to watch it with the child.
Can 10 year olds Touch Elf on the Shelf?
No, 10 year olds should not be touching the Elf on the Shelf. The Elf on the Shelf gains its magic when the family reads the book and adds the Elf to their Christmas tradition. Part of that tradition is that the family members don’t touch the Elf as this will cause him to lose his magic.
Even if the Elf is already part of the family tradition, children should still not touch the Elf as this will harm and weaken the Elf. It is best if the children only look at the Elf from afar and treat him with respect.
Parents should be the only one touching the Elf and it is best to keep him in a safe place away from small hands.
Does each child need their own Elf on the Shelf?
No, each child does not need their own Elf on the Shelf. Many families find that one Elf works just fine – they just make sure to move it around the house so that each child gets to enjoy finding it in a new spot each day.
Some larger families opt to purchase multiple Elves, depending on the age range of the children and the layout of the home. It’s ultimately a personal preference and there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to how many Elves your family should have.
However, it may be helpful to consider how much time you are willing to spend managing the Elf. If you don’t have a lot of time each night to move one or more Elves around the house, or if your children are too young to understand the concept of one Elf, it may be best to stick to just one.
Ultimately, the most important thing is to enjoy the magical fun the Elf brings with it!.
Why you shouldn’t do Elf on the Shelf?
Elf on the Shelf is a popular holiday tradition, but it’s not without its controversy. First, the idea of the Elf being a spy is a really problematic message to send to kids. It reinforces the idea that Santa is observing them, and punishing them if they don’t behave.
This could cause anxiety and fear in children.
Second, Elf on the Shelf often puts a lot of pressure on parents. Coming up with creative places to put the elf can be very time consuming and it’s often done late at night when parents are already exhausted.
Some parents also feel tremendous pressure to always come up with something new and creative, which is not only hard, but unrealistic.
Finally, some have argued that Elf on the Shelf enforces gender roles. Most Elves are male, and the elf’s actions can be perceived as reinforcing traditional gender roles, such as cleaning up after the kids and doing the baking.
Ultimately, it’s up to each individual parent to decide if Elf on the Shelf is right for their family. However, for a variety of reasons, it’s understandable why some parents would choose not to engage in this holiday tradition.
Are you supposed to have more than one Elf on the Shelf?
The Elf on the Shelf is an exciting Christmas tradition for children. The story behind it is that these special Elves have been sent from the North Pole to spend time in children’s homes and observe their behavior in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
The Elves report back to Santa, who then decides whether they will receive presents or coal in their Christmas stockings.
While the Elf on the Shelf is a fun tool to bring some Christmas magic into your home and provide your kids with a fun challenge, it is not necessary to have more than one Elf. Though it can be fun to have a few elves in the house, it is not necessary to immortalize your family’s tradition with multiple elves.
One elf can certainly carry enough Christmas cheer and allow children to be part of the wonder and magic of this special season.