Hi, I?m Christine, and I?m an Elf on the Shelf convert.
After hearing about these mysterious elves for years, and somehow avoiding the seemingly annoying tradition, I finally decided to take the plunge before my son, who is six, is too old to care.
And just like that, mine became one of many households where a cute little elf shows up on December 1 to keep a watchful eye on my kid, fly back to the North Pole nightly to file his report with Santa, and return to cause a little mischief while everyone?s still sleeping.
As I anxiously awaited his arrival, I scoured the Internet for ideas of what to do with the yet-to-be-named elf, and was pleasantly surprised by the creativity. How do these parents come up with these scenarios" I thought it would be fun, and I was right.
But what takes it to another level is the simple, yet magical, element. Once I saw my son?s jaw drop when he received the elf with a letter from Mr. Claus, I knew I had made the right decision. He darts out of bed every morning to find Justin Elf, as he was eventually named, and laughs excitedly at what debauchery Justin caused overnight, like delving into the leftover Halloween candy or sunbathing under a light in a fruit basket. It has been loads of fun.
Naysayers are rolling their eyes right about now at this newbie mom who?s clearly still in the Honeymoon phase. ?Wait until you get to Day 20, or Year Three!? they smirk. It?s just sooo much work.

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