Elf on the Shelf is Evil

By: Alexis Smith 

       Christmas time, candy canes in hot cocoa, decorating the  Christmas tree, The anticipation for Santa to come down the chimney, and a toy elf watching your every movement. Does something about that sounds off? All these things are Christmas traditions everyone has taken into their homes with joyful arms. That plastic elf, or Elf on the Shelf is beyond creepy.

Elf on the Shelf was created in 2005 by Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell, this Elf has become a tradition in which the elf watches the current events in a family's home and reports back to Santa in the North Pole using Elvin magic.

Bryce Smith, a father in a family with the demonic elf says, “I think Twinkle (The elf on the Shelf name) is creepy because for some reason he only comes around once a year and all he does is wreak havoc on our house with his weird antics, and me and Annie (his wife) have to clean his messes every night,”. Not only does this elf supposedly spy on young children but it also creates messes and moves around the house. Instead of this being a wholesome cheeky elf, it sounds like a stalker or home invader having the same characteristics as one. Not only this but parents get to create and clean these messes, imagine staying up late to trash your house and then risk having your kids late to school trying to find the elf and its mess in the morning.

Another factor to the Elf on the Shelf's alarming attributes is nobody in the family can touch the elf, why? According to Elf on the Shelf. com, “Santa advises no family member to touch their Elf on the Shelf.”  Elf on the Shelf even goes as far as to suggest parents use tongs or potholders to handle the elf  “in an emergency” Not only is this eerie but it creates even more lies that the parents have to keep up just so that their kids are on good behavior due to the bold face lie that if they do something bad, or touch the soft-bodied doll no presents will be had on Christmas day. 

Jen Jurgens, a mom whose house will never have an Elf on the shelf says “ I hate Elf on the Shelf because it is creepy as heck (She did not say heck). I don’t like the idea of inviting something into your home that will tattle on you. It encourages kids to only behave because they are being watched and goes against teaching kids actual integrity.” This shows that parents do not like the elf because it teaches kids to only behave when being watched and that if you step out of line when being watched, someone will tattle.

When a member in you’re family touches the elf, Elf on the Shelf says “Write a note to your elf or Santa apologizing for touching your elf. This is the most effective way to help your Scout Elf get back in action quickly! Sprinkle a little cinnamon next to your Scout Elf. Cinnamon is like vitamins for your elf, and it will help him or her get back to the North Pole where the elf doctors can give them a quick check-up! Sing a Christmas carol with your family! Elves love singing, and all the Christmas cheer is sure to create plenty of Christmas magic to make your Scout Elf better in no time!” Doing all of this for a simple mistake is too far. We are treating this manufactured doll just like the Ancient Myans did to appease their gods, creepy Elf edition.

The Elf on the Shelf is disliked by millions of people in the world for its outright disturbing activities, yet people still bring these Elves into their homes for their children. Why do people subject themselves to the emotionally disturbing rosy cheeked Elves year after year? If the Grinch were to visit Fruita, Co, Elf on the Shelf should be the first to be taken.