A mini tradition - Elf on a Shelf Christmas tradition
I admit. I got sucked into doing this. The Elf on the Shelf. My husband and I spoke about what traditions our families had over Christmas, to only come to the conclusion that there are non. At first, when I approached the idea of this to him, he laughed. But, when I got the doll, he laughed even more, and probably thought I was a weirdo. I, on the other hand, was wickedly excited for this! More so than my children. Hah.
So, as of Christmas 2012 - our little tradition is this little Elf, invading our home.
Night #1 - The "Unnamed" Elf (Naima still has to give him a name, she said she was going to sleep on it), had a puzzle party with some of the local dollies...
Oh you wicked, wicked elf!
For those who are unfamiliar, here is the story behind it:
Plot
Every day from Thanksgiving until Christmas Eve, each family's scout elf watches over the children and then at night, once everyone goes to bed, the elf flies back to the North Pole to report back to Santa about what activities, good and bad, took place throughout the day. Before the family wakes up each morning, the scout elf flies back from the North Pole and hides. By hiding in a new spot each morning around the house, the scout elf and the family play an on-going game of hide and seek. The Elf on the Shelf explains that elves get their magic by being named. In the back of each book, families have an opportunity to write their elf's name and the date that they adopted it. Once the elf is named, the scout elf receives its special Christmas magic which allows it to fly to and from the North Pole. However, the magic might go if touched, so the rule for The Elf on the Shelf states: "There's only one rule that you have to follow so I will come back and be here tomorrow: Please do not touch me. My magic might go, and Santa won't hear all I've seen or I know." Although families aren't supposed to touch their scout elf, they can talk to it and tell it all their Christmas wishes so it can report back to Santa accurately. [source]
Creepy story, right? Well, I'm not reading my kids the book. The idea of having a small person watch them on their every move, to "report" if they are naughty or nice, doesn't appeal to me, in the slightest. My kids aren't naughty, my kids are just kids. They like to explore their surroundings, they love to be silly and have fun. And yes, we are those people who play tag at the grocery store's aisles. We're enjoying life. We're enjoying being silly and fun. Why not?
Yes, we have a lot of stress, and financial issues, maybe even bad issues going on, but, regardless of what they are, or how big they are, we have each other. We have our family. And that's all that matters.
My husband and I decided on something. About Christmas: We no longer are going to ask our children "What do you want for Christmas" - because that's just teaching them the wrong idea of Christmas. (Don't get me wrong, we are still getting them some presents, but to a bare minimum).
We want them to get excited about doing a small random act of kindness. Opening the door at a mall to a stranger, help an elderly with grocery bags, etc.
And let's not forget to get them excited for Santa Claus parades, lights up at all the houses, decorating our tree, baking goodies and gingerbread houses, wrapping presents, singing carols, hoping for snow... The works!
We don't want our kids to grow up thinking that Christmas is all about getting what you want. It isn't. To us, it's about giving what we have: love, hope, joy & peace. That's what Christmas spirit is.
And I hope that all of you out there, do the same.