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Elf on the Shelf...the mischief is on!

By Vicki Little, Macaroni Kid Aurora Publisher December 4, 2013
By now, most everyone has heard of the fun little "Christmas visitors" called the Elf on the Shelf. In case you haven't, these special little scout elves come to visit once a year sometime after Thanksgiving (some can fly faster, some are busy...you know how it is) and stay until Christmas. They often get caught doing mischievous things like toilet papering the Christmas tree, making a snow angel in some flour on the counter, taking shoelaces out of the shoes. They are harmless, though, kind and friendly, and they are just here to help Santa make the house a bit more festive and stay up-to-date on the naughty or nice list. Each night the elves go up to the North Pole to check in and let Santa know how things are going, and they come back each night before the family wakes up in the morning. Many are tempted to touch their elf...however this is a bad idea as it will take away all of the magic! I have recently learned that there may be a special way to get this magic back in extreme circumstances where the kids made an honest mistake-or even learned from one. If you find yourself in such a situation, check out the FAQ from Elf on the Shelf headquarters! There is even a show that features one special elf named Chipper,

Anyway, our elf, Family Stanley, has been with us for four years now. We absolutely love him! There has been a time or two we were a bit worried if he was okay since he was in the same spot the next day, but as we learned from the Elf on the Shelf site- if he finds a comfy spot to sit in he may end up falling asleep through the night. Even though we have had our elf for a long time, I just learned that we can get an official adoption certificate from the site as well! I am hoping that Family Stanley brings it back with him tomorrow! And, just in case you are thinking of getting your little scout elf a gift this year, I have heard that there is now extra clothing for sale! What a better way to say thank you and we will miss you until next year?

With all the great and silly things these scout elves do, I decided it might be fun to start a Pinterest page to share the fun festivities! I would love to see the fun you are having, too, so please feel free to pin away at http://www.pinterest.com/auroramackid/elf-on-the-shelf-activities/.