The Elf on a Shelf tradition is one that passed us by when the kids were young enough to really believe but we’ve definitely got on board in the last few years and it’s now a bit of a running joke in our house now that our elf, Jingle, arrives with us on the 1st and proceeds to get up to as much mischief as he possibly can.
Personally, I don’t put too much effort into it because the kids take great pleasure in making him do naughty things and then denying all knowledge that they’ve moved him (either that or Jingle really is a naughty elf).
The first year that Jingle came to stay with us I was all over it for the first few days in December filled with ideas and enthusiasm but on about the fourth day I forgot to move him which caused great concern with my (then) little believers. I didn’t want to let them down by saying that ‘Mummy went to bed early to have a relaxing bubble bath and totally forgot about moving him’ so I went with the next best thing. I totally lied to them!
I stared them right in the face and told them that I caught Jingle sneaking upstairs the night before and I’d shouted at him to come back downstairs. I made him jump and he slipped and hurt his foot. I helped him back to where he had been sat the day before and he slept there while his foot healed.
After that, forgetting to move Jingle got a little more regular and I had to think on my feet a few more times before he left us on Christmas Eve.
Here’s a few more little gems you’re welcome to use if your elf forgot to move last night….
1) He looks sick, let’s take him upstairs and pop him in your bed for a while to see if that helps him get better.
2) I heard the phone ring last night, I bet he was talking to Santa and they were on the phone for that long that he just forgot to move. I wonder what they were talking about….
3) I bet it’s because you didn’t settle last night. It looks like he fell asleep waiting for you to fall asleep – he must be exhausted.
4) I think I heard him watching TV last night, I bet he was watching a boring show and he fell asleep before he had chance to get up to any mischief.
5) He might not have moved but it looks like he’s been in the fridge as he’s eaten the chocolate bar I was saving for today.
6) I came down for a drink in the night and cleared a load of crumbs from the kitchen counter – I bet I interrupted him snacking.
7) I forgot to leave the light on for him last night, I bet it was too dark for him to move. We’ll leave it on tonight though.
8) The dog had a nightmare so he stayed where he was because he didn’t want to scare him. (I know, I know, not my best work.
9) It’s too warm in your house for the elf’s magic to work as he’s used to the freezing temperatures of the North Pole. Pop him in the fridge for half an hour to restore his magic.
10) Someone must have touched him which temporarily stops his magic from working.
11) He may have even decided to stay in the same spot two days running to trick you – he would expect you not to look in the same place twice would he?
12) Maybe he’s resting because he has something BIG planned for tonight!
There you go, arm yourself with this little lot of excuses and you’re covered for 50% of the time your elf is with you! 😉
Oh and if you’re stuck for ideas for what to do with your elf then check out this post with 70 Elf on a Shelf ideas.
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