Hi Guys,
In Berlin (Kreuzberg to be specific) and I'm look...
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Hi Guys,
In Berlin (Kreuzberg to be specific) and I'm looking for a Key Exchange. I'm not sure but it seems HoardSpot is de...
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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.
But just sitting isn’t enought, he needs to occupy himself with fun activities.
He starts playing with his other slightly living friends.
Then he starts to get more creative and interacting with his humans more.
And he gets mischievous.
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,
gets into fights,
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!)
Sometimes he gets lucky and his moves work.
Sometimes he’s REALLY lucky…. Could be all that alcohol but he really has something special ….
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?)
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…
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours…. Oh, and of course, Happy Elfing!
Alice & Jeff
Day 14 - Addy regrets trying to befriend George
Trying to think of where she might be this morning, I tip-toed back into the bedroom and Ah-HA! Problem is, there's a list on my desk this morning... and there is no use closing the door because she just pops up. And I can't tell if it's her writing or Santa's... but it's going to be a busy day!
She still doesn't have a name. Perhaps that's part of the problem... I need to make peace with my Elf.
Day 20 - Caught mine in the act of sending away my Christmas baking this morning - she must have seen me step on the scale yesterday....
Day 21 - We had a rare, unbooked night.... Addy took advantage of the free room.
@Alice-and-Jeff0, what great pix, and such an inspiration! (also acknowledge that this takes a bit of work to set up and xfer photos, and also for that I THANK YOU!)
What fun!
My Elf (afraid to name her, actually) has spirred me on to tackle many needed tasks! Yesterday I nearly became 'Mary Poppins' (all smiles; no sugar)! My Elf was exhausted! 
:-))))
