On his way home tonight, Dan is stopping to pick up our Christmas tree. A real one. Our first real one in many years. Remember this? (We re-told this story to Dan’s aunt the other night and it still made us laugh so hard we were crying – 7 long years later).
We’re pretty excited. We normally wait until after December 1 to decorate but Jaia has been asking, almost daily. And Wes, well he is so far oblivious to what is about to happen. But soon he will see the beauty of Christmas and then he’ll quickly realize that it wouldn’t take much to tear it all down. Literally.
We are in for some trouble. Or the Christmas tree is, anyway.
This Saturday evening we’ll be unwrapping treasured ornaments and telling stories from when we were little. We’ll be sipping on egg nog or hot chocolate (some weirdos don’t like egg nog) and humming Christmas carols. The best part of decorating, and of the whole Christmas season, for me anyway, is that not much changes. Replaying traditions keeps us connected to the past and rekindles the feelings of the pure joy we experienced as kids at Christmastime.
But sometime change is good. In small doses, anyway. This year we’re adding a new tradition. The Elf on the Shelf is moving in. Jaia doesn’t know yet. We’re bringing him out tomorrow. And she gets to name him. (Can you imagine what this kid is going to come up with??)
The gist:
- At Christmastime the elf leaves the North Pole and comes to your house. Since Santa can’t be everywhere to see who is naughty and nice. He needs his elf on the shelf to help. It’s up to the elf to be the eyes and ears for Santa.
- The elf listens and watches and then gives a report back to Santa each night, when he flies home to the North Pole.
- The elf arrives back at the house every day in a different location, ready to watch and listen again.
- The elf does not speak to children, but he can and does speak with parents.
- On Christmas Eve the elf can either fly home for good, until next year, or he can come back for Christmas Day to watch the children open their gifts. You decide.
I think we are going to fake a package arriving by mail so it’s more believable. But then, to a little girl and boy whose eyes open wide at the sight of first snow or a lit Santa on someone’s lawn as we drive by, methinks that they would believe just about anything. This little guy is going to up the magic ante significantly in the Fullerton household this year.
Does anyone else Elf on the Shelf?
Auntie Jenny - I saw elf on the shelf at a store here the other day and thought it was such a neat idea!
Auntie Jenny - btw… that tree post is hilarious
Mrs D - Lis just bought one this year too – let the fun begin!!!!