In Defense of The Elf

I think it's time we addressed the elephant in the room this holiday season.  And you know what it is.

It has nothing to do with Obamacare, or women's rights, or marriage equality.  It doesn't have to do with politics or religion.

The real hot button issue is whether you are for or against the Elf on the Shelf.  That's what it comes down to...

A few years ago, one of my favorite bloggers, Jen from People I Want to Punch in the Throat, rose to blogger super stardom with her HILARIOUS post about the now notorious Elf on the Shelf.

Since then I have noticed that many people have strong opinions about the good old Elf.  They either love it and spend every night thinking of new precarious situations in which to put their Elf (picture a hot tub party in the crock pot with Barbie)...or they hate it and won't even consider welcoming one into their bevy of holiday traditions.

I'm am somewhere in the middle...but I lean a little to the left (a.k.a. in support of the Elf).

Without further ado...I present you with my "Defense of the Elf"...

1.  He really does keep behavior in check.
I know, all of you perfect parents will say that this is just wrong.  Of course it's my strong parenting skills and consistency should be what keeps their behavior in check. Fine, I get it.  But let me say this for the record...I don't use the Elf to threaten (okay, maybe I use him to warn my kids about his magical power to report back to Santa).  But I don't make him the bad guy or the man in charge.  Simply seeing his little smiling plastic face staring down at them, piercing into their souls, is enough.  They love that damn Elf and don't want to disappoint.  And they sure as hell don't want him to fly up to the North Pole and tell Santa that no presents should be delivered under our tree on Christmas Eve.  So say what you will, but that Elf gets the job done...

2.  They honestly believe in the magic.
My kids really, truly, 100% believe in the magic of our Elf.  And, as cheesy as it may sound, it is magical.  I have no idea how much longer these years will last.  I don't know how many more magical Christmases we will get out of my 8 year old.  I am holding on for dear life (although it might be nice to finally get some of that damn Santa credit).  So to hear my girls wake each morning and go looking for our Elf, even those days that we forgot to move him and I have to explain that he really must have liked that certain spot, is pretty special.  Even my almost 3 year old is into it this year.  She loves "Elfie" and is so excited to show me where he is every morning.  But it's freakin' magical, I tell ya.

3.  It has become a nice tradition.
Every family has their own traditions...and some people don't feel the need to add anything new.  But I can honestly tell you that our Elf has become quite a pleasant tradition for our family since we welcomed him into our home 3 years ago.  For the past 3 Thanksgivings, Elfie has made his first appearance of the holiday season.  And just this year he started the new tradition of bringing a small treat for the girls.  This year he brought them each a Christmas Kit Kat.  They girls were super excited and it only cost us $2.  It was just the thought that he actually brought these treats from the North Pole that got them so pumped.  I mean, everyone knows that a Kit Kat from the North Pole is so much better than a Kit Kat from Walgreens.

So although I don't go crazy with our Elf on the Shelf and stay up for hours each night dumping flour all over my kitchen only to blame it on the Elf...because let's face it, I can barely remember to move him most nights, I have grown to like the little guy.

I only have one beef.  WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THIS?  For real.  You put a little plastic doll (really just a head because the rest is fabric) in elf clothing, box it with a cute book, and charge $40 for that bad boy.  Next thing you know, you are a millionarie.  Dang it...I'll say it again, WHY DIDN'T I THINK OF THIS?!!!

So what you do you think?  Do you have an Elf on the Shelf?  If not, why?  I'd love to hear from you.!