The Elf On The Shelf: A Beloved Or Hated Tradition?

Think of all the traditions associated with Christmas.  Almost too many to count.  Is the Elf on the Shelf one of them for your family?  Turns out this little toy isn’t loved by everyone.  A quick glance online brings up a bunch of Elf on the Shelf haters.

In case you’re not familiar with the Elf on the Shelf, it’s a doll that parents place around the house to let Santa know if the kids are being naughty or nice.  The Elf is basically the eyes and ears for Santa.  Usually the Elf makes his appearance after Thanksgiving and each night when the kids are asleep, flies back to the North Pole to report to Santa how kids are behaving.  The Elf gets moved each day to keep the kids on their toes.   One more thing.  Don’t touch the Elf or he loses his magic.   Fans of this toy say it works wonders on kids who tend to act up but don’t now thanks to the Elf keeping them in line.   So what’s the problem with the Elf on the Shelf?  Some online believe it’s too commercial, saying some parents take it too far by having the Elf (aka the parents) bake cookies and give out gifts daily  before Christmas.  Another complaint is the Elf encourages suspicion and fear in children by spying on them during a holiday season that’s supposed to be about love, family and togetherness.  Kate Tuttle, writing for The Atlantic calls the Elf “creepy” and encourages parents not to use the toy to” bully their kids.”   Too commercial is another reason the Elf is hated.  After all, there’s the book, the DVD and all the  Elf accessories, like the plush Elf.  That one can be touched!  The Elf has also been described as divisive.  To be fair, there are plenty who love the Elf on the Shelf too.  What’s your take?  Love it or hate it?

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