You made sure that the kids were still asleep in their beds. You found your Elf on the Shelf, and prepared to stage her in a cute way before the kiddos got up. After all, moving your Elf is almost like a covert opp, and you have to make sure that you move in silence when doing so. But despite your best Elf-moving efforts, one of your kids suddenly appears in the room —literally red-handed with the red outfit-wearing Elf in your hands. And everyone knows that you’re not allowed to touch the Elf, like, ever. So what do you say when your kid catches you moving the Elf on the Shelf?
Well, there are a couple of ways to go here. You can either come clean and tell her the truth — and potentially ruin Christmas for your kiddo. (Like, if there’s no Elf on the Shelf, she might start asking about Santa, and that’s a whole other conversation you don’t want to have right before the holidays.) Or, you can do what most parents tell their kids to never, ever do: lie. If you’re looking towards the latter as the best option, then these 10 things to say when your kid catches you moving the Elf on the Shelf should help you get out of a sticky situation —and keep the Christmas magic going for your kid.
“Only parents can touch the Elf.”
There’s a little-known bylaw written somewhere that while kids can’t touch their Elf on the Shelf, parents are allowed to. Oh, your kid didn’t know that? Yep, you’ll look it up for her online and read it to her…eventually.
“Your Elf was tired and asked me to move her.”
Flying to and from the North Pole each and every night to talk to Santa Claus sure takes a lot out of an Elf. So can your kid really blame her for being too tired to find a new spot? Nope, she can’t. She should actually thank you for helping your Elf out.
“I wasn’t touching her, I was just looking at her.”
Unless your child saw you swinging your Elf on the Shelf around the room, you can always make her believe that she was mistaken in seeing you touch the Elf. In fact, you were just admiring her rosy cheeks and wondering where she gets her blush from. That’s all.
“He’ll get upset if he thinks that you believed I moved him.”
When your child asks you if you moved the Elf, you can always do a mental switcheroo on him. You can tell him that your Elf is actually upset that he would think that you touched him, since everyone knows that no one is allowed to handle the Elf. While guilting your kid isn’t always the right way to go, it can help your Elf on the Shelf survive for another day without further questioning.
“It’s okay to touch the Elf if you’re wearing magical invisible Elf gloves.”
Touching an Elf with your bare hands is a big no-no. But if you have special invisible gloves that only parents can purchase will you be able to handle the Elf without worrying about her losing her magical powers. When your child asks to see the gloves, you can say, “I’m wearing them right now, but they’re invisible!”
“She needed help getting into this special spot, and only I could help her.”
Your child’s Elf came up with the coolest idea to go pretend fishing in the fish tank, but she needed some assistance climbing up onto the side of the tank. You were just being a helpful person by hoisting her up so that the kids would be so excited when they saw her.
“It’s okay to touch the Elf if it’s (whatever-time-your-child-catches-you) o’clock.”
There’s a very small window of opportunity each and every day to touch the Elf on the Shelf. That’s why you wanted to give her a warm embrace for all the happiness that she brings into your home.
“She asked me to pick a new location for her.”
Finding a new spot to watch over the kids each and every day can be challenging. Your Elf asked you to help her look for a new location, and instead of trying to explain where she should go or what she should be doing, you just picked her up instead so that she could get there faster. That’s all.
“She was whispering something to me.”
Elves speak super softly. So if yours decides to talk to you, you might need to lean in so you can hear what he has to say. In doing so, though, you might accidentally touch her, but it’s okay. You can tell your kid that her Elf on the Shelf has a secret message for her, the excitement of which will probably make her forget that she caught you moving her.
“She needed a hug.”
Your child’s Elf on the Shelf felt sooo badly that she “forgot” to move yesterday and was feeling badly about it. So you felt sorry for her and wanted to give her a hug. She feels much better now and promises to move every single day until Christmas.
At some point, your kid is probably going to catch you moving the Elf on the Shelf. How you handle it is entirely up to you, but if you want the joy that the Elf brings to last a little longer, sometimes a little white lie is necessary. Sure, you might wind up on Santa’s naughty list, but for your kids’ happiness, it just might be worth it.
FAQs
Be honest with your child.
Tell him/her that the Elf on the Shelf is something parents do to make the Christmas season a little more fun for kids, and you are sorry he/she is so smart to have figured it out too soon but Santa (or you) will be proud of him/her for letting siblings/friends continue believing in the elf.
Are parents supposed to move the Elf on the Shelf at night? ›
Each morning, the elf chooses a new vantage point from which to keep an eye on the kids. The night before Christmas, the elf flies off one last time to spend the year with Santa until reappearing next season. Every night, a parent hides the elf in a new place.
Do elfs move or do parents move them? ›
According to elf legend, the elf moves each night. Some mornings, though, kids might find themselves asking why the elf is still in its same place.
Why do parents move the Elf on the Shelf? ›
Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition that sees parents moving an Elf on the Shelf (also known as a "Scout Elf") around the house every day to keep an eye on children ahead of Santa's visit.
Do parents control elf on Shelf? ›
Are grown-ups allowed to intervene? Santa advises that no family member touch their Elf on the Shelf, but he does describe a few rare instances when an adult may use tongs or potholders to help an elf in an urgent situation.
When should you stop doing Elf on the Shelf? ›
According to The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, the night before Christmas, an elf's job comes to an end. On December 24, most Scout Elves say farewell to their families and fly back to the North Pole following Santa's sleigh.
Can kids touch the elf on the last night? ›
The official Elf on the Shelf website details the three rules to follow. The first and most important rule is that you must NOT touch your Elf. If you do, they will lose all their magic - and nobody wants that to happen. When scout elves lose their magic, they can't go about their Christmas duties.
Why you shouldn't do Elf on the Shelf? ›
One philosophy provides a compelling argument about the dangers of the Elf on the Shelf, namely that it is a lie, threatens the trustworthiness of parents, ultimately encourages gullibility in children rather than critical thinking and inadvertently teaches children that their behavior should be governed by potential ...
Why shouldn't teachers do Elf on the Shelf? ›
It undermines trustworthiness
For the uninitiated, the Elf on the Shelf observes children's behavior and heads back to the North Pole nightly to report on their behavior (naughty, nice, or otherwise).
Is my Elf on the Shelf real? ›
Santa's official Scout Elves always come in an official The Elf on the Shelf® box, and they are accompanied by a children's storybook, just as shown above! You can tell Scout Elves apart from other elves at the North Pole because they arrive in an official solid red jumpsuit.
Do I need one Elf per child or one per household? The choice is yours. We have included two Nice List Certificates and two Letters to Santa in each kit, as these items are personal. All the other items can be shared as a family.
Do you cut elf on Shelf hands apart? ›
Are you supposed to cut the tie between their hands? This is again a personal decision. Some people don't and some people do. The reason you would cut them would be to make your elf easier to position when placing him each night.
What are the two rules for the Elf on the Shelf? ›
There are just a few rules to remember! The most important—don't touch your Scout Elf, or they will lose their magic! Scout Elves can't talk, but they are great listeners. Little ones can share secrets and wishes with their elf as often as they'd like.
Why does the Elf on the Shelf not come to my house? ›
If your elf didn't move, they may be trying to communicate an important message to you! If your elf is accidentally touched, they may have just enough energy to get to the North Pole but not enough magic to create a whole new scene in your home.
How do you end the Elf on the Shelf tradition? ›
Usually elves travel by more magical means, but for a more official goodbye, pack up your elf in a box, write “To the North Pole” on it, and slap every stamp you can find on there. You don't actually have to send it anywhere, just make it seem like he's going on a trip to a very cold and faraway place.
How many days do you do Elf on the Shelf? ›
When does Elf on the Shelf come? The Elf on the Shelf website recommends your Elf arrive between November 24 through December 1. This is also known as Scout Elf Return week, a.k.a. the time when Santa's little helpers flee the North Pole and head out to the houses they'll be staying at until Christmas.
Can kids touch elf on a shelf last day? ›
7. Children are not allowed to touch them. Elves are very fragile, and if they are touched by human children they lose their magic and ability to communicate with Santa.
How do you say goodbye to your Elf on the Shelf forever? ›
5 Fun Ways To Say Goodbye To Your Elf On The Shelf
- 5 Fun Ways To. Say Goodbye To Your Elf On The Shelf.
- Leave a note! ...
- Snap an Elfie Selfie. ...
- Let them snuggle! ...
- Throw your Elf On The Shelf a going-away party! ...
- Going away gift!
In 2019, House Method surveyed more than 4,500 families across the United States, and found the overall average age for no longer believing in Santa Claus is 8.4 years old.
Can you touch your elf if you have gloves on? ›
The gloves protect your skin from touching the Elf, so that way your Elf will not lose its magic! Now the kids can touch their Elf! However, I suggest making the Elf Magic Gloves be something special that is only allowed some of the time!
What are the three rules in "The Code of Elves"?
...
- Making gifts for Christmas (best)
- Making shoes while cobblers are sleeping.
- Making cookies in a tree (dangerous)
The Lumistella Company is home to The Elf on the Shelf, Elf Pets and Elf Mates brands with related brand extensions.
What is the first rule of elf school? ›
63) In the movie Elf (2003), what was the first rule of The Code of Elves? The first rule of The Code Of The Elves is "Treat every day like Christmas."
How can you tell a fake elf? ›
A real Elf Bar features an anti-counterfeit holographic sticker on the side of the wrapping box. It contains many small but distinct elements below, which is less possible to be cloned by fake elf bars : Holographic laser security thread and colorless fluorescence ---the fake doesn't. Anti-stripping knife.
Does Elf on the Shelf stay in the same spot? ›
An elf does not want to report a child's bad behavior to Santa. Instead of reporting naughty behavior, they will stay in their spot for a few days until there is something nice to report to Santa. If you want your elf to move, you better be good!
What age should you start elf on a shelf? ›
The Elf on the Shelf tradition can be started at any age, but most parents recommend waiting until your child is between the ages of 2 and 3. They claim it's the perfect sweet spot for children to appreciate and understand the elves' magic while establishing this family tradition at a young age.
How do you treat an Elf on the Shelf when you touch it? ›
Write a note to your elf or Santa apologizing for touching your elf. This is the most effective way to help your Scout Elf get back in action quick! Sprinkle a little cinnamon next to your Scout Elf.
How do I move my elf without touching it? ›
Perhaps you have the rule that adults can move the Elf on the Shelf, as long as they don't use their hands. This means using kitchen tongs, two forks, a spatula, chopsticks or any other kitchen utensil in your arsenal.
Can you have 2 Elf on the shelves? ›
Yes. You can have 2 Elf on the Shelves. You will need to buy an authentic Elf on a Shelf Kit. Creatively Classic Activities and Books (Elf on the Shelf founders) do not sell the dolls individually or in sets of two.
Does Elf on the Shelf bring a gift? ›
When the Elves arrive many times they bring a welcome letter if it is their first time, or they bring an I'm back letters (or We are back letter if you have multiple elves) with them. Sometimes they bring small gifts, our elves like to bring advent calendars for the kids on the first day that they arrive.
The story ends on Christmas Day, with the elf leaving to stay with Santa for the rest of the year, until the following Christmas season.
Are kids supposed to touch the Elf on the Shelf? ›
The official Elf on the Shelf website details the three rules to follow. The first and most important rule is that you must NOT touch your Elf. If you do, they will lose all their magic - and nobody wants that to happen. When scout elves lose their magic, they can't go about their Christmas duties.
What age do children understand elf on Shelf? ›
The Elf on the Shelf tradition can be started at any age, but most parents recommend waiting until your child is between the ages of 2 and 3. They claim it's the perfect sweet spot for children to appreciate and understand the elves' magic while establishing this family tradition at a young age.
What is the average elf age? ›
An elf typically claims Adulthood and an adult name around the age of 100 and can live to be 750 years old.
How does Elf on the Shelf arrive for the first time? ›
The Elf on the Shelf® is a Christmas tradition centered around Scout Elves who fly to the North Pole each night. Scout Elves arrive at homes in a keepsake box set that features a storybook. The book explains that elves love to report to Santa to tell him about each day's activities!
