My single, childless coworker asked me an innocent question the other day. “Have you heard of Elf on the Shelf?” I couldn’t help but full on laugh out loud. I followed it up by explaining that our Elf has been a part of our family for about five years now and I am certain he is coming back this year.
In fact, my kids are already asking about Chippy. Yes, Chippy- our Christmas Elf on the Shelf. If you are a fellow Elf on the Shelf parent, you probably have yours named as well. I would never have thought it but Chippy has become a big part of our Christmas tradition. As much as I would love to judge the process and the silliness of it all, the truth is that our family absolutely loves him.
Elf on the Shelf parents- have you received unsolicited opinions about your choice to own an Elf? I sure have. To that I say, yes I am fully aware that Elf on the Shelf is not an educational tool to teach about the true meaning of Christmas.
And I don’t care.
Chippy didn’t become a part of our Christmas tradition to teach us about Christmas. We do that in other ways.
Chippy’s purpose is pure fun.
And stress.
Practice your Rock, Paper, Scissors skills now so your spouse has to be the one to take action when you are both lying in bed only to then remember the Elf hasn’t been moved.
I will have many moments of asking why I do this to myself, but yes, our Elf will be coming back this year.
After the Thanksgiving feast is over and we have reflected on all we are thankful for, I am anxious to start unloading the Christmas boxes and finding good ol’ Chippy wrapped up in a box the kids won’t get into (because hello he has to arrive from the North Pole, not from a box in our garage!).
Let the Christmas traditions begin!
Elf parents, is your Elf coming back this year? We’d love to hear your stories!
