Okay, let me start this of by saying that I definitely think that my husband and I started off WAAAYYY too strong. By like night 8, Avery started getting sad in the morning when the elf didn’t “bring her anything.” So word for the wise for those of you embarking on this journey for perhaps the next holiday season- ease yourself into it lol. We had to recalibrate and make sure Avery knew that the elves bring things every once in a while for fun or for a treat but that their main mission is to watch and observe so that they could tell Santa that Avery and Jaxson were being good!

Other than that little misstep, I can tell you that I am 10000% on board with the elf on the shelf. This was our first year doing it and I think it is so fun and seeing how excited our daughter was every morning to find the elves and then how hysterical she thought it was when they were being funny or doing clever things, definitely made it all worth it.

I’ve seen all the funny memes across social media and have definitely laughed at quite a few over the month, and totally related to the ones where the parents are panicking over forgetting to move the elf late at night- we had a few of those nights where we got home late from Disneyland or a Christmas festivity to get into bed late and realize oh shoot, we have to move those guys!!

Even though Jaxson isn’t old enough for the elf on the shelf, we did get a girl elf for Avery and a boy one for Jaxson, so that Avery will always remember Jaxson always having an elf as well. It also made for more fun little schemes and set ups having two of them!

I think the elves add magic to the season and I’m all for embracing all the special things that add to the experience of Christmas, especially when you’re doing it for little ones!

I’ll never forget the extra things my parents would do growing up. I remember waking up to glitter all over our fireplace and my mom would say Santa must have dusted his boots when he came down the chimney! We also always left carrots out for the reindeer and had a special plate and mug for Santa’s cookies and milk! I’m definitely doing these things for Avery as well, my mom actually passed down the plate and mug I had, so we use it for Avery now and it’s that kind of nostalgia that I really love.

Avery was so sad when the elves returned to the North Pole after Christmas Day and has actually repeatedly asked me when they’re coming back lol, so I’m so excited for next Christmas!

I will say this, I’m not really sold on the idea that they’re meant to make sure your kids are quote on quote “good” or behave better than normal during the Christmas season, I don’t think Avery was a different kid at all lol. I think she just had so much fun finding them everyday more than anything.

And the creative in me really loved having something to clever to do every night!

I’ve already got some ideas for next year, but will definitely mix in simpler hiding spots and set-ups with the more complex ones.

Well, what are your thoughts? Have you done Elf on the Shelf?