Has an elf visited your house?

I have been reading a lot about this Elf on the Shelf craze lately.  Some folks are questioning its appeal.  Sure it is cute but is it really necessary to have yet another Jolly Old Elf keeping watch over kids' behavior?  And how does it help if this same elf is a bit on the impish side?  The elf supposedly creates havoc on the house each night after children are fast asleep.  One night, the little rascal might take a bubble bath in the bathroom basin, the next, he might make a huge mess while making a sandwich in the kitchen.  The little guy might play tic-tac-to on the mirror or make snow angels in the sugar. Every night sees the elf performing a different antic all the while keeping an eye on the children's behavior.  According to what I read, parents go to all extremes to make sure the elf moves about the house each night just to make their children believe that the elf is actually alive and well.  Some have even taken to filming the miniature man in action!  Is this necessary?  Or is this all a big hoax that puts another task on already harried parents during the holiday season?

This elf business in nothing new.  Back in the day, tiny elves made their way into our homes and our hearts each December.  They were/are Santa Claus' helpers and have every right to do a bit of surveillance for the Big Guy himself.  I remember growing up hearing how Santa chose the elves because they were small and quick.  They could move about unseen and unheard.  Their swift visits were to check each and every child's behavior.  No, our elves did not leave behind huge messes nor did they stick around long enough to be seen the next day.  A lot has changed.

The little antique Elf sits in a box with paper Santa garland and old Christmas stockings.  He is awaiting to spring into action if ever given the opportunity.  

Is this craze necessary?  Do we really need another activity to add to the already hectic holiday rush?  My take on this?  Why not?  What could it hurt?  If something brings a smile to a child's face, then who am I do be a naysayer? Actually, I wish this bit of fun had been something that I thought to do with my children when they were babes.  It would have been delightful to see their faces each morning as they found the elf.  Being on the Bayou with visitors far and few between, this would have been a welcome diversion.  The kids would have had a month long entertainment and I would have had the opportunity to be a bit more creative while thinking of the next elfin escapade.  I know that my oldest son, Mark, would have taken over the "elf duties" at an early age.  He relished being "in the know" and helping with his two younger siblings.

So I say, Go for it!  If an elf is knocking around in that brain of yours, then let him free to spring in action.  Let the imagination run amok with antics that would be outrageously fun for the elf to perform or for any of us to do if only we were not so stodgy and worried what others would think.  Let him swing from garland tied around the ceiling fan! Give him permission to eat the eaves of the Gingerbread House. Turn him loose and let him leave elfin footprints of flour across the counters. Yeah, it might be just another task in your already busy day but the giggles and squeals of a happy child will be well worth the effort it takes.  Children are only small for a very short time.  Their imaginations can be fueled by the ingenuity of their parents (and one small elf!) and their memories of a happy childhood can last a lifetime.  I say, Go for it! Make a child happy and you might..just might..bring a smile to yourself at the same time.

Now that I am a grandmother, perhaps my childhood elf will make an appearance once again. Maybe when my granddaughter is old enough to find delight in a bit of elfin nonsense, she and the elf both will make a visit to the Bayou.  MawMaw will be far too happy to clean up any messes that the rascally elf might create if it means that little girl can see a bit of the Magic of Christmas while she is here.