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If this were my kitchen they’d get a treat. That elf is creepy and I’m so glad we didn’t have him around when the boys were little. For more stories of Moms rebelling against him click here:
- Sorry, Kid, Elf on the Shelf is not going to happen
- How the Elf on the Shelf ruined our Christmas
- Overachieving Elf on the Shelf Mommies
Here are 3 simple ways to enjoy the Christmas season:
1. Load up the car and go for a “sparkle” tour. Little kids in P.j.’s, warm cocoa in cups, and a tour through decorated neighborhoods can bring loads of “oohs” and “aahs” and – bonus – all free.
2. Do something kind for someone else. Shovel a neighbor’s walkway. Bake cookies for relatives, coaches or friends and let the kids deliver them. The list goes on and on.
3. Count your blessings. Give each person a piece of paper and something to write with. If they can’t write, do it for them. Take turns having each one name 5 things they’re thankful for (this will vary by age, often with hilarity). Place the completed lists on the fridge for a week and, every night at dinner, have each person read another’s list. It’s heartwarming to hear one child say they’re thankful for the other. Seriously. The next week? Start new lists. Gratitude is like compound interest – the more you do it the more you have. And this exercise may help lessen your angst, too.
What are your tips for keeping sane through the Holidays? Is there an Elf on your Shelf?
No elf on the shelf here either 😉 How to keep sane? Since our kids are all grown up and have households of their own, our gift giving the past few years has morphed into a gift of $ (which has already been sent), so other than a few do-dad’s to random people, we completely sidestep the shopping frenzy in the malls, the traffic, etc. Second thing has been to shop on line. Better prices and again get to stay home. If we want to go and people watch, we are still free to do so, but on our schedule.
Love it, DM! I’m with you — I did some shopping on my lunch hour and then the rest on Friday when I took a day off. Other than that, I am staying out of the fray and away from the hustle & bustle. Merry Christmas to you and the Mrs. MJ
Sane? We have the option of staying sane during the holidays? No one told me that!
When I look back at all I used to do for Christmas I wonder how I ever survived! MJ
I love your ideas for keeping sane over the holidays.. especially the “sparkle tour.” However, I think I’ve already lost it. 🙂
A sparkle tour & a cup of cocoa might restore it 🙂
MJ
Loved this!
Those 2 dogs cracked me up – just perfect 🙂 MJ
I do like to drive around to see the lights. No elf at my house.
There’s not as many lights up in my neighborhood but, last weekend, we took a country drive to the family Christmas party and I saw some spectacular displays – smiles all the way home 🙂 MJ
Some people go all out with decorations.
We also love to ride around and look at Christmas lights: that’s been a longstanding tradition. We have no little ones at home, but I did buy an Elf on the Shelf for Motor Man and me this year. We’ve had fun hiding him in places for the other one to find!
Now that kind of Elf routine I could get into — but the spying on kids and making messes for Mom to clean up? No way.
Happy Christmasing, Dianna! MJ
I have no idea — none — what the elf on the shelf is. I’m not going to look it up, either. The fact that I don’t know what it is either means (1) I’ve stayed sane, or (2) I’m so completely out of the mainstream there’s no hope.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go sort through cookies recipes. 🙂
Good move on your part 🙂
I think it was a well-intentioned idea that got out of control, like many ideas do. The last thing I would have needed, as a young mom anyways, was ONE MORE THING TO DO every night leading up to Christmas. The fact that there’s pressure to stage a scene and create mischievous things for the stupid Elf to get into would have made me insane. Glad I missed it, too 🙂
Happy cookie sorting! MJ