Okay, so we have an Elf on the Shelf in our home. Before there is a collective sigh and clicking off this link, I would like you to hear me out. No, I'm not going to post all the crazy antics our elf has been into, or post pictures of elaborate trouble she finds herself in every night.
In one sentence I could sum up this post with "You don't want the magic?"
This year, more than ever I have seen post after post, blog after blog, article after article about the "negative aspects" of this tradition. The most common theme is, "Why would we send a message to children that you have to do something good to get presents? Shouldn't they just be wanting to do that anyway? Isn't it instilling fear to tell them that someone is watching them and reporting back to Santa? Why can't we go back to a time when Christmas was simple, and there weren't all these creatures flying in to file a report on you? Its ridiculous!"
Jeeez......
Okay, I would like to point a couple things out.
One of this country's most beloved songs at Christmas time is "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". Let me refresh the lyrics for you......
He sees you when you're sleeping
He knows when you're awake
He know if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!
Oh, you better watch out!
You better not cry!
You better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
This song was written in 1934. 1934 Is this back far enough for you in remembering the simple things at Christmas? I got news for you folks.....we've been giving this message to kids for 80 years!!! 80 FREAKING YEARS!! We allllll drank the Kool-Aid. We all remember singing that song joyfully, pausing to think just a moment that Santa might be watching.....and then back to singing joyfully that Santa was coming soon!
How did the Elf get demonized about this "watching you, reporting you" thing?? We've sent that message all along! It's the most double-standard thing I think I've ever heard.
We do have an Elf at our house. Her name is BeBe Gallini. We got her when Nea was 2 years old. The only thing I got out of her that year was a name....
"Nea, look! an elf!"
"Mama, me elf"
"No sorry sweetie, we can't touch her."
"Me elf!!" (pointing up to where Bebe was perched)
"If we touch her she can't fly. What should we name her?"
" Me elf!" (this went on like 10 minutes)
"Me, beebee"
"BeBe? BeBe! That's a great idea! Her name is BeBe!"
....and because I have such a fond childhood memory of The Brady Bunch, I added Gallini. A memory of mine, attached to a memory of hers. It was perfect!
So BeBe Gallini flew back and forth every night. Dutifully watching and paying attention to our little familly, making sure Santa had the 411.
And Nea could have cared less.
When Nea was 3, BeBe came back, flying into high perches around the house. The "no touch" rule was no way going to happen. So BeBe just flew from one high piece of furniture, window, etc. to another. Nea DID pay attention this year. We read the book, we watched the movie. And Nea got up every day asking for her.
"Where's BeBe?" It was a game. And it was a great game for my little Autistic girl. It was an activity of anticipation, of focus for searching and self satisfaction when she found her. She always started in the place where she last saw her, then went to the place before that. Then, the place before that.... Actually, I was quite shocked at her memory and categorizing of all the places BeBe had flown in from. She was sad, when BeBe was gone and asked about her for a week or so after the holiday season. I knew we had started a tradition.
This year, BeBe flew in unceremoniously. Some folks make a net for her for landing, but we are not quite there yet. One day she appeared and Nea spotted her.
"Hey! There's BeBe!"
"Oh! Wow! Awesome, that means Christmas is coming soon! BeBe has to go talk to Santa every night."
"Mama, no touch BeBe. She will lose powers"
Whoa! What!?! She remembered that!?!?
"That's right! BeBe, can't be touched"
"I know Mama"
BeBe has flown in from place to place with zero crazy. She sits high on a perch still, safely away from curious hands who just wouldn't have the self discipline to not touch her. Even though she knows she shouldn't. I'm sure every year will be different with BeBe. She'll evolve and change, just like Nea does.
But do you understand the magic? It's not just our household, it's all the other ones too. It's kids anticipating Christmas morning and building the excitement. We've all given it a shot, at least once in our lifetime to stay awake all night and catch a glimpse of Santa at work. BeBe is just an extension of that magic.
Let's not deny our children that. Let's let them be kids and have all that magical thinking as long as they possibly can. No one's hurting anybody. Animals aren't being harmed. People aren't being killed.
Children are simply following a tradition of millions of children before them.......
"Oh! I just can't wait!"
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