FED up parents have shared their reluctance to commit to the dreaded Elf on the Shelf
In most homes with young children, the mischievous character makes an appearance by December 1st.
The Elf on the Shelf tradition started back in 2005, gaining significant traction between 2010 and 2013.
While the elves are currently available for £19.95, most parents issues are with the effort involved rather than price.
Manufacturers recommend introducing the naughty elf anytime between November 24th and December 1st.
Parents are then required to place the elf around their house, changing it’s hiding place each night.
Each elf comes with a set of rules, including that it can’t be touched or will it lose it’s magic.
They are designed to be “Santa’s helpers,” ensuring the good behaviour of children in the lead up to Christmas.
However, parents have drawn issue with the extensive lengths required to creatively set up the character each night of the festive season.
One frustrated mum shared her thoughts on the tradition in a post on Mumsnet.
“I understand it as a magical annoying elf turning up [on] December 1st, to watch your children, and report their behaviour back to the North Pole,” she wrote.
“However, it back fires when it is the ‘naughty’ elf who in fact is the one who needs watching.
“This is demonstrated by his antics each night, set up by the lucky parent who has to think of various mischievous predicaments for 24 days.”
The woman explained that she was “not a Grinch” and enjoys other festive activities such as crafts, baking, advent calendars, and leaving mince pies and carrots out on Christmas Eve.
“I just find the elf idea creepy, especially the whole watching and monitoring idea,” she said.
“I don’t want to do it, and feel mean, because the other kids get it visiting them, I don’t want a festive squatter in my home.”
She added that she worried that the tradition would also lead her children to question the existence of Santa.
According to the tradition, Santa sends his scout elves to watch over children to see if they are behaving in the lead up to Christmas. But there are rules to follow:
Other parents agreed that Elf on the Shelf had become to much work.
“I have an irrational hatred of it. Just bin the stupid thing and get your kids to perfect a haughty ‘We don’t do that in our family,'” suggested one Mumsnet user.
“Horrible creepy thing, I have more than enough to do in December as it is,” wrote another commenter.
“I hate the creepy little f**ker. Why would you want to make your small child think something was spying on the constantly?” Asked a third parent.
“Never done it. The idea of it spying on you is really creepy,” agreed another person.
