Day 5 - Elf on a Shelf

Day 5 - Elf on a Shelf

When Lizzie first introduced this idea, I immediately thought it could be a fun “Elf on the Shelf” event.  Little did I realize that this was a “thing” most notably only in the US.  So, it seems only fair that we share this frivolity with the rest of the world! 

 

The Elf on the Shelf story describes how Santa's "scout Elves" hide in people's homes from Thanksgiving to Christmas to watch over events. Once everyone goes to bed, the scout elf flies back to the North Pole to report to Santa the activities, good and bad, so he knows who is naughty and who is nice. Before the family wakes up each morning, the scout elf flies back from the North Pole and hides. By hiding in a new spot each morning around the house, the scout elf plays an ongoing game of hide and seek with the family.

 

The Elf on the Shelf explains that scout elves get their magic by being named and being loved by a child. When you buy an Elf, your child “adopts” it, giving it a name. Once the elf is named, the scout elf receives its special Christmas magic, which allows it to fly to and from the North Pole.  However, children are reminded that the magic might disappear if the scout elf is touched but they can speak to it politely and with kindness and tell it all their Christmas wishes so that it can report back to Santa accurately.

 

The story ends on Christmas Day with the Elf returning to the North Pole to stay with Santa for the rest of the year until the following Christmas season.

 

Now you might imagine the sweet fun that comes with a family’s innocent game of “find the elf” each morning and certainly, when this tradition was introduced in 2005, it started out that way.  But like all things, it evolved for some into something more creative, fun, nutty, and, well, sometimes, raunchy and debaucherous. I even went out and purchased one for myself to share with all of my Airbnb family… perhaps if you have your own, you can post pics of your Elf in action here throughout the holiday season. 

 

The following Is a progression and evolution of how this tradition brings “joy” to people every year.

 

In the beginning, the Elf sits quietly and patiently to be found. 

sitting on shelf.JPG

 

But just sitting isn’t enought, he needs to occupy himself with fun activities.

 Give a dog a bone.JPG

 

He starts playing with his other slightly living friends.

snowball fight.JPG

 

Then he starts to get more creative and interacting with his humans more.  

shower elf.JPG

 

And he gets mischievous.

 hair cut.JPG

 

Then he must get bored coming back to the same house over and over or maybe he’s missing his Elf family, but he can’t handle the pain,

drinking elf.JPG

 

gets into fights,

psycho elf.JPG

 

and tries to seduce the ladies. 

(by the way, if you’ve never seen this SNL Digital Short by Adam Samberg and Justin Timberlake, you just must – it makes me laugh every time!)

junk in a box.JPG

 

Sometimes he gets lucky and his moves work.

menage elf.JPG

 

Sometimes he’s REALLY lucky…. Could be all that alcohol but he really has something special ….

pornographer elf instagram.JPG

 

But mostly it’s a fun tradition – either when playing with your kids, goofing around, or using him to fill your Instagram feed.  It’s creative, fun, and indulgent during a time of year where we encourage such things. 

 

So what does my Elf do, you ask? 

 

Well, I never had an Elf before yesterday so I could write this post, and mine is not yet filled with magic.  We’ve adopted a girl Elf and she still needs a name. (Have any suggestions?)

thumbnail_20171204_212847 small.jpg

 

Oh look, there she is now… looks like she’d going to be reporting back to Santa on the entire Airbnb Community Forum. 

 

She’s watching you…

thumbnail_20171205_074326 small.jpg

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours…. Oh, and of course, Happy Elfing!

Alice & Jeff

 

 

 

 

43 Replies 43
Lizzie
Former Community Manager
Former Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

Thanks @Alice-and-Jeff0 for your humorous day 5 post! I truly feel I know a little more about what an Elf on a Shelf is now! hehe

 

I do like all the effort you went to, to create this post.  I do have a little concern over whether the man in the photo is Jeff and whether he agreed to have his head shaved just for this photo? 🙂


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Thank you for the last 7 years, find out more in my Personal Update.


Looking to contact our Support Team, for details...take a look at the Community Help Guides.

@Lizzie - alas, no... a picture from the internet, man unknown, but I've seen this elf behavior in a few photos on different men.  If you do a simple internet search, there are plenty of online rabbit holes to go down!  

Lizzie
Former Community Manager
Former Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

Aw good good @Alice-and-Jeff0, this is a relief to hear. 🙂 

 

I wonder what you elf will get up to in your home? Have your guests noticed him yet?

 


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Thank you for the last 7 years, find out more in my Personal Update.


Looking to contact our Support Team, for details...take a look at the Community Help Guides.

Helga0
Level 10
Quimper, France

Thank you for sharing this custom, @Alice-and-Jeff0! I never heard of it. 

Dark winter nights are inviting for pranks or malicious pranks. Many countries have such days, but with that long a period, you top the list. 😉

 

Kimberly54
Level 10
San Diego, CA

OMIGOODNESS, @Alice-and-Jeff0, this is SO PRECIOUS!  I had never heard of this before... will have to tell all of my buddies with kids or grandkids.  Absolutely wonderful.  THANK YOU SO MUCH for sharing so such fun, and what a great job!!

 

Best,

 

Kim
Branka-and-Silvia0
Level 10
Zagreb, Croatia

@Alice-and-Jeff0  I've never heard this story before and it was fun to read it now , thanks :)) Well if  she’d going to be reporting back to Santa on the entire Airbnb Community Forum and watching us until Christmas then you should name her Lizzie 😉 😛

@Alice-and-Jeff0

Totally agree with @Branka-and-Silvia0 - Lizzie seems like a great name for your elf 🙂

Kimberly54
Level 10
San Diego, CA

Wait, all... did I miss a post?  I thought the child was supposed to name the elf!

@Alice-and-Jeff0@Jessica-and-Henry0@Branka-and-Silvia0... Lizzie is a PERFECT name, but we can't screw up the rules! 

 

?

Best!

 

Kim
Kimberly54
Level 10
San Diego, CA

@Alice-and-Jeff0, I have shared this with 15 of my friends with kids or grandkids and have gotten 12 THANK YOU!!!!!s back! 

 

Impossible to have too much fun.  Carry on!

 

Best,

 

Kim
Lizzie
Former Community Manager
Former Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

haha @Branka-and-Silvia0@Jessica-and-Henry0 and @Kimberly54. Lizzie the elf, what a thought! 🙂 I am trying to think if I have ever had anything named after me....I vaguely remember a friend of mine naming a pet sheep after me when I was younger (which was obviously quite emotional for me!). 

 

I am sure there is a better name than mine though @Alice-and-Jeff0, what is on you list so far?  How is your elf?


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Thank you for the last 7 years, find out more in my Personal Update.


Looking to contact our Support Team, for details...take a look at the Community Help Guides.

Haha! @Lizzie, when I was 8 years, a little girl down the street... probably four or five, named her pet guppy after me.  (Kimberly is a pretty big name for such a tiny fish!) 

Kim
Lizzie
Former Community Manager
Former Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

haha @Kimberly54, I really like this! 🙂


--------------------


Thank you for the last 7 years, find out more in my Personal Update.


Looking to contact our Support Team, for details...take a look at the Community Help Guides.

@Lizzie - right now, your name is the only one in the hopper.  

Quincy
Community Manager
Community Manager
London, United Kingdom

What a great post @Alice-and-Jeff0! I hope your elf doesn't prank your guests though! [Chuckle] 

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