“The Elf on the Shelf” is a beloved story introduced in 2004 by Carol Aebersold and her daughter, Chanda Bell, which tells of magical elves that travel to the North Pole during the Christmas season to assist Santa in determining which children are naughty or nice.
When my son was born in 2004, we decided to adopt an elf into our family around 2009 since his friends all had one. Our elf was named Benny. Each morning during the holiday season, the kids would eagerly search for Benny’s new hiding spot.
While we never engaged in extravagant elf antics like some parents, we still had plenty of fun. Benny made appearances on the decorated Christmas tree for the past 12 years, hung from the ceiling fan in their rooms, and even had dance parties with toys. He traveled to the North Pole along with the elves of their friends. When they slept at their grandparents’ house, Benny would mysteriously show up there, too.
Managing Benny was enjoyable, though it added to the hustle of the holiday season. The kids would leave him notes with questions like “how old are you?” and “what makes Christmas magic?” Sometimes, Benny would forget to move, leading to a flurry of notes from my children expressing their confusion.
This week, I’m reaching out to fellow parents who are navigating the challenges of elf mischief. My youngest is now 11 years old, straddling the line between childhood and adolescence. He is at a stage where he both believes and questions the magic, recognizing that things that seem impossible might not be real.
He recently shared his doubts about Benny’s autonomy, suggesting that I or his dad must be the ones moving him. One morning, he cleverly instructed Benny where to hide, intending to test his magic. When Benny didn’t follow his instructions, my son was convinced he had proven his point.
So, that night, I penned a note from Benny, tears streaming down my face, addressing my son’s doubts. I reassured him that questioning the magic is a natural part of growing up and that real magic lies in love, giving, and togetherness. I expressed how much I cherished being his elf for the past 16 years and how I would always embody the spirit of Christmas, even as a retired elf.
The following morning, my son left Benny an apologetic note. Although he searches for Benny half-heartedly now, I treasure each moment, knowing that my time with Benny is dwindling. Parenting can feel like a whirlwind, but these moments are fleeting—embrace the elf tradition while it lasts.
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In summary, transitioning away from the Elf on the Shelf tradition can be an emotional experience for parents as well as children. It marks a shift in childhood innocence, prompting reflections on love and the spirit of the season that endure beyond childhood.
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