Other > Off Topic
The Elf on the Shelf
RetiredAt63:
I thought about posting this in Mini Money Mustaches but it really needs an adult discussion.
http://religiondispatches.org/the-creepy-surveillance-of-elf-on-a-shelf/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/cbss-elf-on-the-shelf-unwarranted-christmas-surveillance-techniques/2011/11/23/gIQApCSTtN_story.html?utm_term=.198d4ac9e816
http://www.military.com/spouse/relationships/elf-surveillance-just-what-deployed-parents-need.html
My kid is all grown up so I only learned about these elves by accident. The thought of having an elf living in the house and reporting back to Santa every night about a child's behaviour is creepy. That some come with surveillance equipment is creepier*, especially since there seems to be some suggestion to kids that they should tell the elves their secrets.
Are they a "thing" everywhere Santa is? Or is it more just the US?
*Not sure this is true, I read it online but couldn't find a supplier.
Lagom:
I agree telling kids the elf is watching them for bad behavior is creepy, but people are blowing the whole thing way out of proportion. We have an elf. His name is Marvin, and his only backstory is that he likes to hide from our kids, who gleefully comb the house looking for his new spot every morning. Once they find him we all have a good laugh and that's that until the next day. It's perfectly possible for the elf on a shelf to be a harmless fun tradition without all of the surveillance state BS these people are going on about.
RetiredAt63:
Oooh I like your story much better than that the elf is watching to report to Santa.
The fact that people had to have a story about an elf watching and reporting to Santa really creeps me out. Apart from all the surveillance/lack of privacy in the home vibe, how magical is Santa if he needs elves to report?
Anatidae V:
I'd finally read about the "elf on a shelf" thing too, R63, and thought the original story would have terrified me as a kid. Apparently the original has them not allowed to touch the elf or it will disappear?
Apparently it's a thing here too, but I only found out by asking parents of small children. It seems to be very recent and due to a well marketed book.
Lagon, your story is SO much more sensible. I like it a lot. If we decide to participate, we'll be using your method instead :)
--- Quote from: Lagom on December 03, 2016, 11:45:35 AM ---I agree telling kids the elf is watching them for bad behavior is creepy, but people are blowing the whole thing way out of proportion. We have an elf. His name is Marvin, and his only backstory is that he likes to hide from our kids, who gleefully comb the house looking for his new spot every morning. Once they find him we all have a good laugh and that's that until the next day. It's perfectly possible for the elf on a shelf to be a harmless fun tradition without all of the surveillance state BS these people are going on about.
--- End quote ---
Lagom:
Yeah it weirded me out too when I first heard about it, especially since it wasn't a thing when I was a kid. But my wife insisted because she thought it was super cute. We read the book once but didn't like it so our elf tradition evolved into a daily where's Waldo, which became lots of fun for the kids and for me as I brainstormed weird places for him to hang out. That said, I really don't get the whole mystical peeping tom narrative. Definitely strange/creepy.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version