The Elf Controversy
If you read the Huffington Post Parents page with any regularity, you will notice that just about every day, there’s a new column posted about the Elf on the Shelf.
Some parents love the idea, and set up funny or elaborate elfin mischief scenes to delight their little ones each morning. Other people are like, eff that noise, that little thing is creepy and I’d never bring that nightmare-maker into my home.
Great! To each their own, right?
Wrong.
While I was waiting at the vet’s office last week, I made the mistake of reading the comments section of one of these posts — I can’t even remember if it was pro or con, at this point — and I could not BELIEVE that hundreds of people were getting into vicious wars of words over this. Over what others do or don’t do with a freakin’ stuffed elf in the privacy of their own homes.
I’d expect to see this kind of vitriol in the comments on stories about gun control or politics. But a doll? Come ON, folks. People were ripping each other, and attacking one another’s parenting skills over it. I think we can do a little better than this as a human race, don’t you?
I’ve got a two-part New Years resolution for anyone who has argued with another person over the Elf. Step one: Get a life. Step two: Get worked up over something that matters, then go change the world. Good grief.
And, I’ve got a New Years resolution for myself: Stop reading the comments sections on stories of any kind. Just. Stop.
What the hell is the matter with people? (That’s a rhetorical question, but please feel free to answer if you’ve got any insight.)
The Wild Rumpus 
Agreed. We partake in the Elf on the Shelf nonsense but I am not ready to argue over it. I can agree that at times I may spend too much of my time thinking about this stuffed doll and I need to get out more. However, in the morning when all four kids run around the house with excitement, its all worth it. Never read the comments, people are crazy (not like me crazy with kids but seriously straight jacket crazy) and are too opinionated over nothing.
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We have the Elf, too. I hide it, they find it, giggles ensue and we go about our day. I can’t understand why someone would get all pissed over that.
Or, on the flip side, how pro-Elfers could accuse other parents of depriving their children because they don’t do the Elf.
Strait jacket crazy is an excellent way to describe it!
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“Pro-Elfers.”
Hahaha
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We don’t do the elf. Mainly because, Dear God, it’s just one. more. thing.
I do NOT have the brain power for any of it. Seriously. My kids don’t really even know it’s a “thing” so they don’t know that they’re missing out. (Plus we tend to focus more on the religious aspect of Christmas than the trends.)
But if you do it, kudos. Who cares? Do what you want. Some of it is hilarious. I’m thankful that someone is more creative than me.
Sheesh.
P.s.
And I’m with you on the article comments. What makes people lose their humanity just because they’re behind a computer screen? Get a life. Haha
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Well, several times, I have cursed myself for getting on the Elf train. I am not creative with his presentation. I simply hide him, and most nights, even forget to even do that.
Yesterday, I had to push my way in front of the kids on the stairs in order to get to the (forgotten) Elf first. I stealthily shoved him in the back of my yoga pants. While the kids looked for him in the living room, I threw him on top of the curtain rod in the bathroom.
I’m sure on the mornings that Bonky Bonk spends the first 7 minutes of his day smashed into my butt cheeks, he wishes he had gotten a more magical family.
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Hahaaaaa!
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And P.S. You’re right about people losing humanity online. The comments I read on news stories make me ill. In general, I believe that most people are good people with decent intentions… until I read the comments section.
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