Elf on the Shelf-complaint/Christmas question.

amyjoy18

We don't have one.  They're cute and all, but I have zero intention of getting one.  Yesterday DD came home from school asking about it and said she was the only kid in school who didn't have one and wanted to know why.  "Your mom is not organized enough to stay on top of another thing this holiday season" didn't seem like an appropriate response. 

So I said, that we didn't have one because Santa didn't send us one and that Santa's magic is a mystery, so I didn't know why, but if we needed one, he'd surely send one.

How would you have answered?  Half the time I'm not even sure DD believes in Santa.  There has been almost zero Santa talk from her.  I'm hoping that is not the case and that because of the emphasis we put on Nolan's birthday and Thanksgiving over the past few weeks that she didn't realize it was right around the corner.

I feel like I'm really struggling to tie all of the Christmas messages (Jesus, Santa, Elf, etc) into a neat little digestible/believable package. For instance, we were picking toys to donate to play it forward.  She was happily picking stuff, but then asked why Santa didn't bring the needy kids toys.  Then she started asking me about Hanukkah and Kwanza and if Santa came to those kids. 

I'm not prepared for these questions.  Where's the easy button?

 Any advice?

Luckystar2

These are tough...we've done the gifts for needy kids and that seems to be some confusion for dd too. Why wouldn't santa bring them toys? We usually get dd's Xmas gifts too so I think I said that these were to help out the parents.

When the concept of believing comes up (about anything, Christmas, are disney princesses real, what happens when we die)...I try to ask her what she thinks and then we go from there. And that some people believe different things and that's ok.

As for elf on the shelf...I don't know how I would answer that. We do it and think it's a ton of fun. So I would say just do it, ha! But being pressured into it kind of stinks but that's kind of the same with the whole concept of Santa. If you didn't really want to have your kid believe in Santa it would be tough since so many kids do.

denalea

I don't have the easy button, but if it makes you feel better we don't have an elf, either, because I get so completely overwhelmed at the thought of having something else to do.  (Actually, we have an elf, she is just still in the basement where I stuck her after purchasing her for 50% off last year....)  There are just so many "traditions" to incorporate (Elf, Advent Calendar, Book count down, etc.) that it seems like overkill....I don't have time for all of that!!!

We're doing an Advent house so far, and MAY pull out the books I wrapped because I think S may need a visual representation of how many days are left, but Elf I think is going to have to wait.

rona118

we have one and it is the biggest pain in the butt... and we don't even do anything fancy with him. Just move him around the house...mainly the main floor. I think you did a great job of explaining to her. Don't cave!!!! Ha.

waltsgirl102503

We have an elf - and the kids love him.   So far we've forgotten to move him all but one night, but luckily I wake up before everyone else, so I always check when I get up to make sure DH moved him - he arrived on Sunday.   I wake up in a panic over that damn elf more than not.   I think you answered perfectly, though!  It's magic.   So you can't really explain it.   I always tell my kids that we have to pay Santa because it's expensive to make/deliver toys.  That's what my mom always told us, so I guess it carried over.   And that helps to explain why other kids don't get anything.  

AmandaJLewis

Since the elf is all over stores, I say that they need to be bought for the family.  Cause how does one explain the huge display at Target of elves in boxes?  I don't mind ours, EJ gets excited to find him in the mornings and I do nothing pinterest worthy with him at all.  today he is sitting in the barbie house. also, I have a daily reminder on my phone to move him before bed.

Santa only brings us one gift and the stockings. The rest are from us. So toy donation was never an issue/question when I told her some kids don't have toys of their own. The Santa gift tends to be the big one. But I have also considered the santa subscription service story like Amber, in case these babies are born before Christmas and they get no presents. (I didn't sign them up for santa gifts this year)

Santa only comes to those families who celebrate Christmas, because it is part of the Christmas tradition. Our Christmas is very secular though, as I am pretty much an atheist and DH doesn't really take the lead in introducing EJ to church. But that comes with its own issues!

egpitt22

Our elf also doesn't do anything pinterest worthy, and while I do complain about moving him (mostly because I have this habit of remembering once we're in bed...then brian and I spend a few minutes bickering over whose turn it is to have to get out of bed and do it), the kids really do love it so I'll keep it up.  Our elf actually came last night, and they nearly lost their minds with excitement.

as far as how to tie it altogether, I struggle with this too.  I did find (on pinterest of course) some little printable cards that the elf can bring along with him some nights of things for the kids to do, like pick a toy to donate to charity, donate food to the local food bank, etc.  So I feel like that at least helps with showing them the giving part of the season, you know?  Here are those printables:

http://www.localfunforkids.com/home/10-free-elf-on-the-shelf-printable-poems.html

Meghan&Rich

We have an elf, and the boys love it.  We forget to move it all of the time, and we never do anything interesting with it.  The boys enjoy it so much, even though we are total slackers. 

When we were putting toys together from our giving tree, Mason did ask why Santa didn't bring toys to everyone.  I just told him that the parents had to pay Santa because toys are expensive to make.  He had a few follow up questions, and if I can't come up with something off the cuff, I'll answer something like "it's magic, etc."

We talk about Christmas being Jesus' birthday, about giving to others in need, as well as Santa and all of the other fun stuff.  We just keep it all pretty simple and try not get too elaborate with any of the messages we're sending.

amyjoy18

Thanks!  She seemed satisfied with the magic answer, so I'll stick with that one for now :-)  When she asked about donating toys, I told her that some kid's parents don't have enough money for things they need like food, clothing, etc. so Santa brings them that stuff and not much fun stuff and that their parents like to get them gifts too and need to rely on donations for those gifts. 

Yesterday she was asking more about other holidays and Santa, so I simply said, that Santa comes to those who believe in him and share his generous spirit.