From Cute to Obnoxious

  It seems to me that this "Elf on the Shelf" thing has gone on just about long enough.  Things have gotten out of hand and the elf in question has gone beyond being helpful (with the aid of parents trying to outdo all others.) Yep, I know that a lot of new parents jump on any method possible to make the holidays a memorable experience for their little ones but from what I have seen, this is more work than necessary.  Some people start searching for ideas of mischief for their elf visitor far in advance of December.  Then, the nightly escapades and slightly naughty misdeeds take up more time and cleaning up the mess later even adds more stress to parents.  It seems to me that instead of allowing the elf to indulge in mischief, it might be far more encouraging and empowering to little ones if that same elf was to promote good deeds.  What started as a cute idea of maybe getting the children to behave has become a show of bratty behavior.  My daughter-in-law recently told me of an idea that was passed along to her of how the elf should be found doing good deeds.  I agree.  Joanna mentioned that it would be nice to have the elf holding a recipe for cookies to bake for the neighbors or sitting in the toy box while asking the children to donate to the needy.  Whoever had this grand idea is pure genius!  Why not instill loving, giving thoughts and practices with a cute whimsical little elf?  It just makes more sense to promote these traits instead of maybe giving ideas of misbehavior.  Don't even get me started on the warped sense of "Christmas Cheer" that some adults have resorted to with the childhood tradition.  

  While I do have several of the original little elves sitting about the house, not once have they gotten into mischief.  Perhaps I just have good elves...who knows.   Then there are the elves that I sew that are just there to add a bit of whimsy to the holidays.  These little guys are just plumb happy and are not a lot of work for parents.  They just don't do anything but sit and look cute.

  While I am all for family traditions whether they be old or new, when it becomes questionable, it is time to stop.   I do agree with the idea that elves should be helpful if there has to be a elfin trend during the holidays.  Get the kiddos involved in helping others..make those cookies for the neighbors, give toys and clothes to the needy, learn carols and sing at a nursing home....anything that is promoting what the season is all about in the first place.  Or...just let that elf sit there and look cute.  Don't cause more work for yourself and definitely keep that elf from causing trouble....it just isn't worth the effort.  It may be time to ditch this holiday chore.

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.

Little Treasures from Brothers!

The Little Bayou House is decorated from top to bottom with all sorts of fantastical things.  The Christmas Season has become more of time of remembrance for me than the eager anticipation of what is to come.  I find myself cherishing things from long ago more than any new items that I purchase as decorations.  It is true that I find all decorations for the season beautiful and wish at times that the house could stay adorned with all of the reds and greens but alas, that would soon grow to be a bit tiring.  This year, things are a bit more rustic and a bit more nostalgic than years past.  I pulled things like antique toys from their hiding places in closets and put them out under the Christmas trees.  Oil lanterns, rope garlands and even burlap made their way into the decorating theme this year.

Michael helped me to gather some fresh cedar and pine branches today.  These have been placed on shelves and the mantles.  Pine cones and red berries fill in the areas nicely and add a cheery touch.  In one of the windows of the dining room, I placed pine branches and red and green fairy lamps.  In this window, there are three shelves.  When I was poking the pine on the top shelf, I picked up a small oil lamp to be placed along with the pine.  A memories started flooding back from days of my childhood.  This small lamp was a gift from my oldest brother when I was only about seven years old.  Money was hard to come by and we, as kids, had to earn pennies to spend on our gifts for family members.  Pecans, Dogwood berries and Red Bud seeds were all picked and sold.  Our share being a penny a pound.  That did not add up very quickly but if we worked hard, we could save at least a dollar or two!  The little lamp probably only cost him a few nickels..he got one for me and one for my sister.  It mattered not that the lamp was inexpensive..I loved it.  I still do.  I have both of the little lamps..hers and mine.  They sit on the shelf each year as a reminder of a happy childhood.

Next to the little lamps, sits another gift that I received about the same year.  My youngest brother (who is just a bit older than me) gave me a little Christmas elf.  This has to be the cutest elf ever made! Recently, I have seen a lot of these as they have now become popular again.  None are as cute as mine!  When my brother gave me this, I can remember falling in love!  My Little Elf never left my side!  I took him everywhere!  When it came time to pack away the Christmas decorations, I cried for Mom to let me keep Little Elf.  She relented and the elf lived with me all year round!  It is a wonder that it is not ragged and torn to bits but I suppose I handled it with love as it is still relatively intact.  It is a bit grubby and a lot faded but not so much that I could ever discard it!   Even though I came in possession of a dozen or so other little elves over the years, this one is still a favorite.  Even Michael told me earlier that this was always his favorite as well. Mom used to hide the elves all over her house when my kids were small.  Each time we would visit Mom and Pop, (which was almost daily!), the kids delighted in finding the elves!  They never knew just where they would find them!  Sometimes an elf was perched on a picture frame while another might be hiding on the piano.  Mom and Dad enjoyed not only hiding the elves but watching the kids hunt for them!  Simple games...good times.  Now the little elves peep from the branches of the Christmas Trees or hide among the garland at my house...and Little Elf is still my favorite!  hehe...And those two brothers are favorites!