Savings on Elf on a Shelf

[3mickeymom]

Good for you for coming up with the Reindeer tradition. It sounds like Christmas is fun at your house!! Also, I love the names of your Reindeer.

 

[PrincessParty]

Yesterday I bought the Polar Express 3D DVD which will arrive with the elves to get us in the Christmas Spirit. When the elves leave they leave pj's for the kids for Christmas Eve/AM. Have fun.

 

[Minnie M6]

Has anyone done this or something similar with older kids? Mine are 8 and 9, and both still believe in Santa . I think this sounds like so much fun, as well as a great way to keep them from fighting all the time (this is about to drive me insane). We could even take our elf with us on our WDW trip 12/7-12/14! He could keep them company on the drive there and maybe they could take turns carrying him in the park? Just thinking "out loud" here...........

 

[Taylors6]

We bought our elf - well elves...there were 2 together- on ebay. I just searched for something I liked and found these two- they were older- but new in the box. I wrote my own little letter up-making it sound like our family had been chosen for the "special elf program" from the North Pole. Worked well for us...the kids love it!

I might still have a copy of the letter on my computer if you would like it!

Missy

 

[mickimousemama]

Has anyone done this or something similar with older kids? Mine are 8 and 9, and both still believe in Santa . I think this sounds like so much fun, as well as a great way to keep them from fighting all the time (this is about to drive me insane). We could even take our elf with us on our WDW trip 12/7-12/14! He could keep them company on the drive there and maybe they could take turns carrying him in the park? Just thinking "out loud" here...........

Yep, My oldest is 10 1/2, and I know of other families with kids even older, Last year a few kids at school told Zack Santa isn't real and he told me, mom I think Santa stopped visiting them because they stopped believing so now their parents have to pretend to be santa... Our Neighbor who was 8, told my 5 year old Santa is fake, he cried for DAYS over it, he wouldnt tell me why he was so sad he would just randomly be crying and when I finally asked what was giong on he told me Joey said Santa isn't alive, and Preston wanted to know why we didnt go to the funeral, I told him Santa lives in our hearts, and only those who believe are blessed by Santa He still believes 100% that Santa is watching us!

 

[smacky1]

Yep, My oldest is 10 1/2, and I know of other families with kids even older, Last year a few kids at school told Zack Santa isn't real and he told me, mom I think Santa stopped visiting them because they stopped believing so now their parents have to pretend to be santa... Our Neighbor who was 8, told my 5 year old Santa is fake, he cried for DAYS over it, he wouldnt tell me why he was so sad he would just randomly be crying and when I finally asked what was giong on he told me Joey said Santa isn't alive, and Preston wanted to know why we didnt go to the funeral, I told him Santa lives in our hearts, and only those who believe are blessed by Santa He still believes 100% that Santa is watching us!

OMG.........bless his heart. What a sweetheart! I love your response to him.

 

[Minnie M6]

Yep, My oldest is 10 1/2, and I know of other families with kids even older, Last year a few kids at school told Zack Santa isn't real and he told me, mom I think Santa stopped visiting them because they stopped believing so now their parents have to pretend to be santa... Our Neighbor who was 8, told my 5 year old Santa is fake, he cried for DAYS over it, he wouldnt tell me why he was so sad he would just randomly be crying and when I finally asked what was giong on he told me Joey said Santa isn't alive, and Preston wanted to know why we didnt go to the funeral, I told him Santa lives in our hearts, and only those who believe are blessed by Santa He still believes 100% that Santa is watching us!

Wow, that's so great how you handled that! I always worry whether I will have an answer for those types of situations. I will never forget being told in 1st grade that there was no Santa
I think I will try this this year........things like this get me excited!

 

[charlottie]

I am so glad to have stumbled upon this thread!

My children's(10,6,3) elves will be visiting us for the 6th time! I purchased them years ago from Elf-Magic. The thing I don't like about Elf on a Shelf is you aren't supposed to touch it and love it. I want my kids to have something they can play with, instead of being tattled on. I paid a little more for them, but they have lasted for years, and I know I will be able to pass them down.

I am always looking for more elfcapade ideas and the website has great suggestions from real families. And they update it often!

My kids think they are REAL. Even the 10 year old!

I will definitely check out some of these other websites. And I LOVE the myspace idea!

 

[Minnie M6]

Just wanted to mention, for those who find elves creepy.........Boyd's Bears makes adorable bears who are elves- I was looking for an elf on ebay and saw them. Very cute!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Found a smaller Anna Lee elf in Home Goods the other day for $7. He's not scary ugly but he does look a bit mischevious. They had a larger one for $14 too.

I'm so excited to begin this tradition this year!

 

[piratemamaof3]

That's a good deal. Too bad my HG is not convient to me. They did have the fall ones at Marshalls so I am going to keep checking there.

Went there today, they had mice (but the thought of the mouse bigger then my one elf was a bit creepy to me. LOL) and he wasn't very bendy, Mr, Mrs. Clause but no elves.

 

[beansmom]

i absolutely LOVE this idea and will be sending one to my 8yr old grandson...you guys are soooo imaginative and creative. Thanks so much!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

That's a good deal. Too bad my HG is not convient to me. They did have the fall ones at Marshalls so I am going to keep checking there.

Went there today, they had mice (but the thought of the mouse bigger then my one elf was a bit creepy to me. LOL) and he wasn't very bendy, Mr, Mrs. Clause but no elves.

Is Marshall's affiliated with HG or is that TJ Maxx? I seem to find similar things in all 3 of those stores.

Good luck!

 

[CinRell]

I just got my elf on Ebay.... he looks just like the elf on a shelf but is only a dollar (under $6 with shipping)... and I like his long legs and arms so I can make him "do" things.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=370108777555

that's the one I got (hope it's ok to post that.. if not let me know and I will edit)

I can't see spending $25 on just the book tho... can anybody who has the book tell me what it is about? Or what your first letter to your kids from the elf was?

Did you name him? And how did you come up with a name? He will come wrapped in a box with some presents the day after thanksgiving... This is for my niece and nephew so the days they come to our house while sis is at work he will be doing things they can discover.....

 

[mamalle]

its $32.95 at hallmark with the book. Im not paying that kind of money for it..

 

[DebMcDonald]

I can't see spending $25 on just the book tho... can anybody who has the book tell me what it is about? Or what your first letter to your kids from the elf was?

Did you name him? And how did you come up with a name? He will come wrapped in a box with some presents the day after thanksgiving... This is for my niece and nephew so the days they come to our house while sis is at work he will be doing things they can discover.....

My kids elf arrived on Thanksgiving morning last year in a plain box with stamps from the North Pole (purchased at Michael's or AC Moore). In our box was the book and a note from the elf and instructions on how to access his myspace page. My kids got to name our elf. We then put him on a shelf under our TV, though very often that day we found him in my four year olds hands and from that point on he moved around our house and did silly things and blogged to santa on his myspace page (that's how he communicates with Santa).

 

[piratemamaof3]

Is Marshall's affiliated with HG or is that TJ Maxx? I seem to find similar things in all 3 of those stores.
I think they might be. I went to a different Marshalls and a TJ Max and found a elf at each one. They have all the same annalee stuff and very similar toys. Plus they asked if I wante a Max card (or something like that) that to me sounded like they were affiliated.

Good luck!

I can't see spending $25 on just the book tho... can anybody who has the book tell me what it is about? Or what your first letter to your kids from the elf was?

Did you name him? And how did you come up with a name? He will come wrapped in a box with some presents the day after thanksgiving... This is for my niece and nephew so the days they come to our house while sis is at work he will be doing things they can discover.....

There are some fun websights out there about this stuff. One is www.magicalholidayhome.com and one of the fourms is all about the elves. If you google it you will prob. find a tun. I plan on naming ours (if I can think of a creative one) and printing out a letter about who they are and what they are for. NOt sure if they will show up Thanksgiving or not. I am thinking more the Sat after. (So I can be there to see them when they find them, don't plan on being home on black friday AM). The book is fun but the nice thing is w/o one you get to make up all the rules your self.

 

[cheermom1]

what about older kids like 15, 14, 13, 11, and 9? I LOVE this idea but not sure the kids will be into? really want to do it but i am going to send my brothers and sister and sister in laws one they will all love this mmm that's 5 i need to get plus one for us so 6 elves oh my! but love this idea thanks all.

 

[cheermom1]

bump

 

[piratemamaof3]

what about older kids like 15, 14, 13, 11, and 9? I LOVE this idea but not sure the kids will be into? really want to do it but i am going to send my brothers and sister and sister in laws one they will all love this mmm that's 5 i need to get plus one for us so 6 elves oh my! but love this idea thanks all.

I think it depends on the kids and their personality. I would have loved it at that age. Funny OT story (at least funny to me) for Easter when I was in college mom wanted to send me a big cookie. They said the iceing words would break off so mom found sticker. Puffie bunny stickers w/ googli eyes. I opend the box to see a cookie that had bunnies w/ pin through them and their wiggling at me. Kind of creepy but so funny the same. I loved it. Still pick on her about it.

Any way, back to your question. I think if they kids would like it, why not. The elves mischief just might need to be different to suit them.