There are some things bothering me about our magical friends. It’s probably not what you think, but it upset me enough to rage write this PSA.
I’m going to preface this post with this: I’m not writing to tell you what to do or not to do as a parent. My sweet husband reminded me of this whenever I sat down to rage write (yes, it’s a thing). I know that I can’t boss you around, but for heaven’s sake, take a hint.
Here we go…
On December 1st, I scrolled through my Facebook feed practically first thing in the morning as I always do and saw that someone had posted a picture of their child’s Elf on the Shelf delivering them the brand new Xbox. My jaw dropped and I instantly thought, “Sparkle doesn’t have money like that.”
I laughed it off and kept scrolling. To my surprise, lavish gifts from Elves this year seemed to be the norm, not the exception. I glanced at Sparkle, hanging out in Blake’s stocking waiting for her to wake up and find her, empty-handed.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all about the Elves bringing little gifts here and there – even pajamas are fantastic. But what I am seeing being delivered from the North Pole on random nights are high price tag items that seem a little over the top to me.
In our household, the Elf is just as the book says: a magical Scout Elf that travels to the North Pole each night to report on the news of the day. Nowhere in that book did it say that they were to return with gifts they probably couldn’t fly with through the night.
And it’s alarming to me.
We wonder why other generations are dubbing the kids we are raising as spoiled and entitled. I mean hmmmmm….let’s think about that for a second.
I get it, though. Expectations are high being a parent in the year 2021 and things have changed from the simpler lives that our parent’s lived. However, under no circumstances should we be fueling this fire.
This is the time of year to give. And when I say “give” I mean to those in need. It’s important to take note of the people around who might silently be struggling and help them out however we can.
We live in this constant yearly cycle of buying gifts just to buy them. To keep up with those around us. And tbh, it’s not a good look.
I will end my rant there, take it as you will. But before I sign off, I have some alternate ideas (yes, I have suggestions here, too): If you were already planning a family movie night, how about having the Elf deliver the popcorn? If gingerbread house building was on your agenda for the weekend, let the Elf deliver that “lumber.” Do your kiddos always get an Advent Calendar? Make those the Elf’s one and only special delivery. Even better, have the Elf bring a bag of food that your family can take to your local pantry together.
In these moments, the Elf is helping your family create magical holiday memories together, not creating expectations that parents should have to take out a loan to live up to their children’s gift-receiving expectations.
XOXO,
One overwhelmed, tired of creating the magic, mama
Yesss I agree so much with this!!!! We don’t actually do the Elf thing but I find it so cute when I see it on my feed, but not when I see lavish gifts like that. I agree we need to teach our kids more about giving to others instead of them “magically” receiving expensive gifts every day.
Agreed! It creates such a feeling of entitlement and I really dislike that!
Holy Stromboli, I didn’t even know that was a thing?! It takes away the magic of waking on Christmas morning to find that one special gift under the tree. 100% agree, the Elf should honestly just be a fun little game. I keep pushing off getting one for my one when I read about things like this. Although, I love the idea of them bringing food to donate- such a thoughtful way to give back.
Ahhh Katie! So lovely to read your comment and I hope that all is well with you and your beautiful family! Right?! It’s just TOO MUCH. The whole holiday season is already overwhelming enough mom parents as it is, and people going overboard sets this residence that we all need to and I’m just over it!