A Very Crinkly Christmas

When I first learned about the Elf on the Shelf thing, I thought it was the stupidest pile of crap. As if it weren't enough to keep up with the Santa Claus deception, (who, by the way, my parents never taught me and my brother to believe), we now have to surprise them on a daily basis with scenes starring some magical, androgynous imp who spies on the kids (try explaining this to someone from another culture -- creepy). And at a hefty $30 price tag to boot.  No wonder parents are so stressed.

I swore I would never take part in the annual Elf-on-the Shelf shenanigans. After hearing co-workers attribute their kids’ angelic behavior to the Elf’s watchful eyes, I decided that the Elf thing was worth a try.
Thanks to the magic of Amazon, the Elf showed up a few days later. I went through the whole song and dance about the Elf’s backstory (the elf reports to Santa, you can’t touch the elf, blah-blahblety-bloop). EB wrinkled her nose, as if she herself thought that was the stupidest thing she’d ever heard. BBoy walked away mid-story, not having heard or cared about a word I said.

Not to be deterred, I started staging my elf, whom I dubbed “Crinkle.” I had Crinkle sitting on the fireplace mantel. I had her sitting on the piano. BBoy barely noticed and continued with his rowdy three-year-old behavior. EB, ever the pleaser, gave an obliging chuckle each time she saw Crinkle – it was as if she kind of knew it was all made up, but figured she had more to lose if she openly displayed her skepticism. By that point, I had way too much vested in this Elf-on-the-Shelf thing. My $30 and my pride were at stake, and it was time to step up my game.

On the third morning of Crinkle’s run, the kids caught her fishing. This made them both giggle, I could see that Crinkle was starting to win over EB.  BBoy promptly gobbled up all of the goldfish, although he took care to not touch the elf.

Over the next few days, the kids learned much about Crinkle.

She liked to eat, and frequently found herself in a pickle.

 

She also liked to cook, although sometimes she made a mess.

 




She had a great oral hygiene, which she absolutely needed what with all her eating habits.

She had a penchant for speed boat racing.

And she got into all sort of mischief liked to play with her friends at night.

 

In the end, I realized that I was actually enjoying this Elf-on-the Shelf thing. It wasn’t even for the kids anymore; it was for me, my little creative outlet before I went to bed at night.

I was actually a bit sad to see Crinkle go. Till we meet again in 2015, Crinkle.