Elf on the Shelf ideas

[Bini]

Btw, I really liked your EOTS dollies Anatess :) They're very cute!

[Guest]

Btw, I really liked your EOTS dollies Anatess :) They're very cute!

If you want one I can ask my friend to make one for you.

[Bini]

If you want one I can ask my friend to make one for you.

That is a very kind gesture but I couldn't ask that of your friend :) They are adorable though!

[Lakumi]

I have something kind of like that, faeries and elves are natural enemies so when I put it up, I often put Clover (a faerie doll) behind it with her little sword, I also put her behind My Little Ponies so that's nothing new.

[person122]

Perhaps something like this wouldn't be for you. But you are insinuating that parents who do these kinds of things with their kids somehow don't have their priorities in order. And that those who do aren't teaching their children about Christ and morality and God. Perhaps you don't mean it that way but that's how it came across to me.

I am sorry if it came across that parents who do this are doing something wrong or aren't teaching their children the gospel. That isn't what I meant (thanks for helping me clarify). in fact I thought after I should put a disclaimer that I don't care if anybody does the elf/leprechaun thing. Enjoy it!

The wicked traditions (please know I do not in any shape or form think elf/leprechauns are one of them.It would be absurd to even think they are) of many in the USA are spiritually damaging and spreading. They are spreading because they are passing from their parents to their children and then on to their children's children. Then there is the gospel. The gospel is a tradition.. Not in the sense that you believe just because that is what you were taught and that is why you believe. It is a tradition of thoughts and feelings brought about by Christ. Family Home Evening, prayer, scripture study, personal study and such are traditions built upon Christ. A means for our children to feel the expressions of heaven a little closer that day. A tradition to pass along the feelings of Christ and our Heavenly Father. A tradition to join in in the fight against unrighteousness. These traditions are more likely to be passed along to future generations if practiced at home.(I know I'm preaching to the choir)

I guess I don't have anything against the elf/leprachaun as much as I do have a problem with the trend our country is in of decreasing Christian tradition as a country. I wish more homes in our country would build their homes on the foundations of Christ. More homes would read their scriptures. More homes would pray. So adding one more tradition when the countries most important tradition isn't getting fixed and in fact is getting more and more dismissed and distorted is... well... It is hard for me to get excited about it. Forgive me. I will not post on this topic again.

[Lakumi]

But seriously, my parents were extremely against rising me in a religious home, they felt I should figure out my beliefs much as they had done.

And they are on the kinder end of the family's opinions (usually ranges from uncaring in general to complete disgust of organized religion, and in some people, atheism)

But above all, there was an encouragement to seek ones own answers and one's own path in my house, a I said.

And I don't think I would be the human being I am today if it wasn't for that, and I thank them for it.

[applepansy]

Just saw this on pinterest: Kindness Elves: An Alternative Elf on the Shelf Tradition - The Imagination Tree

Looks like it might be a good alternative for those of us who find the elf a bit creepy but also might give some good ideas for those who already have an elf. I like these elves better, and they would probably be pretty easy to make yourself with supplies from a craft store.

Our Cleatus does things like this a couple of times during the season. :)

[applepansy]

Okay, I get it... This elf is creepy.

That's not creepy. We make snow angels in the snow. Why can't Cleatus?

[Wingnut]

I can understand the creepy thing. I think it's maybe something about vintage toys. I couldn't watch Toy Story for many years, because I just couldn't handle vintage dolls (admittedly, the disfigured ones from the neighbor kid's room).

[applepansy]

I agree with most of the article. We woman have to somehow cram as many things into our lives as possible. Can't have a not have something to do moment. Got a minute? Think of something else to do to make your life hard. I have a thing about Saint Patrick's Day and the leprechaun also. We have rampant immorality, people stopping believing in G*d, nobody even reading or learning about the commandments, but we have time to add an elf and a leprechaun. LDS wise: Most moms of young children I know have a hard time fitting in Family Home Evening, scripture study, or anything spirit filled. But they have time for a make-believe elf and leprechaun who they are telling their kids are real. Our Savior is real. Heavenly Father is real. Why don't they talk and testify more about Him? Where are our priorities?

I quit thinking up things to make my life hard three decades ago. Now everything runs through a priorities filter in my brain.

Elf on the Shelf was a toiol to teach principles of Kindness, Charity, and Good Behavior to my grandson. Its only a tool. Some nights... like last night... we are too tired and forget. I moved him from the front entry to the piano in the living room while grandson ate breakfast.

I don't understand the animosity of the blogger. If you don't want to do it, don't. But don't get down on other people for enjoying the Elf. :)

[applepansy]

I guess I don't have anything against the elf/leprachaun as much as I do have a problem with the trend our country is in of decreasing Christian tradition as a country. I wish more homes in our country would build their homes on the foundations of Christ. More homes would read their scriptures. More homes would pray. So adding one more tradition when the countries most important tradition isn't getting fixed and in fact is getting more and more dismissed and distorted is... well... It is hard for me to get excited about it. Forgive me. I will not post on this topic again.

I agree. I wish more people would make the true meaning of Christmas a priority but they don't. I just don't understand why something so innocent can't be used to increase spiritual awareness, sort of like the picture of Santa kneeling before baby Jesus.

Some of the things our Elf has done in the past is read scriptures, pray, hold the baby Jesus out of the Nativity or move the Nativity around. We try hard to make Christ the center of Christmas for our grandson. If there had been Elf on the Shelf when my kids were young I would have used it as a tool then.

Also, I considered making an Elf. But... I don't have time. My priorities are such that there are more important things to do than make and elf. So I bought one. I'm glad I did. I enjoy the book. We don't have the DVD and we missed the show on TV. :)

[applepansy]

I should have been clearer in my opening post. I did that assume thing and thought LDS people would come up with cute ways to teach kindness, charity and remember Christ during the season with the Elf.

As LDS parents who use Elf on the Shelf what do you do with your Elf to bring the true Spirit of Christmas into your home.

(Connie, I love the Elf of Kindness ideas.)

[mnn727]

What kinds of things have you done with your Elf?

What elf? Is this a Utah thing?

[Guest]

As LDS parents who use Elf on the Shelf what do you do with your Elf to bring the true Spirit of Christmas into your home.

(Connie, I love the Elf of Kindness ideas.)

Not much. He's just a doll that the kids look for every morning (never seen the book nor DVD so I'm missing a chunk of info on everybody else's elves). No different than the Christmas lights that they turn on every night. It's a tradition that makes the season special compared to every other day of the year. But then my kids know that Christmas is special because it is Christ's birthday. The secular traditions we do in that time of year is a super-extended birthday party no different than blowing out birthday candles. We try to bring the Spirit of Christ into our home everyday. Not just Christmas.

[Bini]

I can understand the creepy thing. I think it's maybe something about vintage toys. I couldn't watch Toy Story for many years, because I just couldn't handle vintage dolls (admittedly, the disfigured ones from the neighbor kid's room).

Yes, I did think the disfigured ones were a bit scary from Toy Story.

But folks, ya gotta separate the freak elves from the other elves. What about LOTR, huh? I know Eowyn isn't a scary elf. And she is an elf, right? How about those big blue things in that (cough-terrible movie) Avatar. Weren't those elves? :)

[Wingnut]

But folks, ya gotta separate the freak elves from the other elves. What about LOTR, huh? I know Eowyn isn't a scary elf. And she is an elf, right?

Eowyn is a human. Arwen is an elf. :)

[Lakumi]

I'm content being the elf-on-a-shelf's arch-nemesis. I'm a disciple of this lady:

Why There is No Elf on My Shelf

really? it's a book too?

Jeez I gotta get in on this.

Except Faeries don't care about Santa or your behaviour, they are often just jerks because of some perceived or real wrong... sometimes they help-but you have to pay!

"Lakumi's in Your House!" (or some such thing)

[Guest]

Yes, I did think the disfigured ones were a bit scary from Toy Story.

But folks, ya gotta separate the freak elves from the other elves. What about LOTR, huh? I know Eowyn isn't a scary elf. And she is an elf, right? How about those big blue things in that (cough-terrible movie) Avatar. Weren't those elves? :)

Whatcha talking about! Avatar was AWESOME! Especially the big blue things. And especially because they're not elves. LOL! Now the smurfs... those little blue elves are freaky creepy.

[Bini]

Whatcha talking about! Avatar was AWESOME! Especially the big blue things. And especially because they're not elves. LOL! Now the smurfs... those little blue elves are freaky creepy.

My dear friend, Anatess, we agree on so many movies but I really really didn't think Avatar was great! I take back that it was terrible but I wouldn't watch it again, ever.

[Guest]

My dear friend, Anatess, we agree on so many movies but I really really didn't think Avatar was great! I take back that it was terrible but I wouldn't watch it again, ever.

I'm going to watch it tonight on my TV - in 3D even - just for you. I'm even going to break out the popcorn and say, "This is for Bini", when the production logo comes up. If it were not a school night, my kids will be running to the TV so fast...

[Lakumi]

Lakumi on the shelf!

Upon her arrival, she cleaned everyone's shoes, however, payment was not given, so on the next one, she stole every shoe lace in the house and cut them up, leaving them as warning!

The next day, the humans saw this, and paid their thanks to their resident faerie with butter and honey, so the next night, Lakumi replaced all the shoe laces and returned several socks she had taken.

[Guest]

Lakumi on the shelf!

Upon her arrival, she cleaned everyone's shoes, however, payment was not given, so on the next one, she stole every shoe lace in the house and cut them up, leaving them as warning!

The next day, the humans saw this, and paid their thanks to their resident faerie with butter and honey, so the next night, Lakumi replaced all the shoe laces and returned several socks she had taken.

Uhm... I'm torn between cute and creepy leaning towards creepy.

[Connie]

Anatess, I really like your homemade elf dolls. They are very cute. They look more like the dolls from the link I posted. I like the homemade ones best. Now Mr. Creepy Elf. Yeah, he's creepy. He looks like a kewpie doll that was tortured on a rack. I feel kinda sorry for him.

Apple, i'm glad you liked the link. I hope it helps with your elf. :)

Edited December 4, 2013 by Connie

[applepansy]

What elf? Is this a Utah thing?

No, not just a Utah thing.

Home | The Elf on the Shelf

[Lakumi]

Uhm... I'm torn between cute and creepy leaning towards creepy.

if you read faerie mythology they are pretty spiteful, mischievous little creatures-and Lakumi is no different.

They didn't give her anything for cleaning their shoes, so they had to pay!