Every year during the holidays, some parents share their grievances about the guy in red ― not the big one, but the little one.
The Elf on the Shelf has become a holiday staple in some families’ homes. Most kids love seeing what mischief their elf has caused in the night, even if parents don’t always love doing the work the night before. Luckily, the funny moms and dads of Twitter can come together and joke about their experience with the holiday visitor.
From humorous complaints to creative ideas to downright hilarious observations, here are 17 tweets from parents about life with an Elf on the Shelf:
Ah...December 1st. The beginning of the best-behaved month of the year for my kids. Thanks, Elf on the Shelf.
— Doyin Richards (@daddydoinwork) December 1, 2016
1st year of Elf on the Shelf: I won't use it to discipline, just to bring joy.
— Jennifer S. White (@yenniwhite) November 22, 2016
Now: *Feet up, drinking wine.*
The Elf is watching, kids.
Our daughter has behaved perfectly all month, so as not to upset her elf (on the shelf). We need a January version.
— Dan Primack (@danprimack) December 24, 2015
As a new mom it's important to set parenting goals. Like AN ELF ON THE SHELF SHALL NEVER ENTER OUR HOME
— Randi Lawson (@RandiLawson) December 7, 2016
Parents,I am begging you to stop upping the game for Elf on the Shelf. He was supposed to move from shelf to shelf not make my kids lunch.
— Alex (@northstoryCA) December 1, 2016
I scrawl the first black X with a Sharpie on a calendar like a prisoner counting down his sentence
— Zack (@Mr_Kapowski) December 1, 2016
Elf on a Shelf, Day 1, done
An Elf on the Shelf that screams OH MY GOD I'M IN SO MUCH PAIN PLEASE STOP YOU'RE KILLING ME every time it hears your kid whine.
— The Glad Stork (@TheGladStork) November 29, 2016
My 8 YO: I'm SOOO excited for our elf on the shelf to get here! Me: Our elf is really lazy, he'll probably be late - again - this year.
— Books By Jess (@BooksByJess) November 30, 2016
I hope you didn't have big plans for Christmas, because my toddler just touched the elf and now "CHRISTMAS IS RUINED!"
— Close to Classy (@closetoclassy) November 29, 2016
"I don't get why the Elf on the Shelf is so hated" I say as I stage ours with a daily chore list my kids have to complete to avoid coal.
— Sara Says Stop (@PetrickSara) November 22, 2016
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'd like to give thanks for the tiny coffin-shaped box I found today that's perfect for our Elf On The Shelf.
— Six Pack Mom (@Six_Pack_Mom) November 22, 2016
Where's the elf that helps you get off the couch and into bed at 10:17 pm on a Sunday? Is he up on the shelf??
— Nicole Blades (@NicoleBlades) November 12, 2012
4: I don't care if Elf on the Shelf is fake.
— Mike Reynolds (@EverydayGirlDad) November 22, 2016
Me: You can believe what you like. Isn't that neat?
4: He still better bring me presents though
I think I love Elf on a Shelf. My 5 y.o. does something wrong, then looks alarmed and says, "SORRY ELF!". So much for parenting skills.
— One Crafty Mother (@onecraftyellie) November 8, 2010
If anyone ever gives us an Elf on the Shelf, his name will be Eliminated With Extreme Prejudice, & my children will never meet him.
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) December 4, 2016
I just realized I forgot to move the damn Elf. So it looks like he'll be "stuck in the tree" again for the 299th time in his short Elf life.
— Lady Lawya (@Parkerlawyer) December 7, 2016
if that elf on the shelf really wanted to be useful, he/she/it would put away all my christmas decorations!
— yfnjman (@yfnjman) December 30, 2013