It used to be that taking kids to see Santa was the stressful event of the season: the crowds, the tears, the itchy matching outfits. Now, it’s a whole new world with Elf on the Shelf.
If you’re not familiar, Elf on the Shelf started as a children’s book in 2005, but now it has become an essential part of holiday traditions. Children wake each morning to find the Elf in a new location and often in sticky situations. For children, this ignites awe and joy—for parents it’s … well … less enjoyable.
Day after day, parents have to come up with a clever new scenario for the Elf to delight their little ones. And the whole thing can get a little exhausting. Parents can’t let the kids know they’re true feelings about Elf on the shelf. But they can take to social media to vent to one another!
Here are some of the funniest Elf on the Shelf rants on the internet.
1. Hey, The Struggle Is Real
https://twitter.com/mrsbutler1984/status/936503361884565504
2. You Can’t Be Expected To Remember Every Night
Forgot to move the stupid #elfontheshelf last night…asked the kids what they did 🤣😂
— Yaba (@ytunderground23) December 5, 2017
3. Leave The Elf On The Store Shelf
Yeah, we do Elf on the Shelf. He’s on the store shelf where he’s been every other year, and he can stay there.
— Megan Rikas (@MegsHAUSTED) December 1, 2017
4. It Could Always Be Worse
I thought I was having a bad morning & then remembered that some people have to wake up with that Elf on the Shelf.
— Sarcastic Mommy (@sarcasticmommy4) December 3, 2017
5. Priorities!
My baby is recovering from open heart surgery but I just woke up in a full blown panic that I forgot to move my toddler’s elf on the shelf.
— Molly McNearney (@mollymcnearney) December 7, 2017
6. It’s Not Old—It’s Vintage
When your kid asks for an Elf on the Shelf but you’re broke so you whip out a toy from your childhood and teach them about creating your own traditions. “Okay kids, it’s time for the tale of Alf on the Shelf.” pic.twitter.com/1PRytI0Ebe
— Leanna Renee (@leannuh) December 2, 2017
7. No One Wants That Gift
If anyone gifts the Elf on a Shelf to my children this year I'm going to burn it in my backyard on Facebook live.
— Winosaurus Mom 🍷 (@winosaurusmom) December 1, 2017
8. The Importance Of Home Security
5-year-old: How come Elf on the Shelf is at other people's houses but not ours?
Me: We have better locks.
— James Breakwell, Exploding Unicorn (@XplodingUnicorn) November 28, 2017
9. A New Holiday Song
Elf on the shelf oh how we despised thee.
— Mr Wright Now, Maybe (@dannyboy7813) December 2, 2017
10. That’s One Way To Handle It
Play a fun prank with your kids by hiding a bigger Elf on the Shelf in your house each day so in a few weeks he’s 10 feet tall and they’re absolutely terrified of Christmas.
— Blake (@dksc4life) December 7, 2017
11. A Parent’s Galactic Revenge
I would like to find the person responsible for inventing #ElfOnTheShelf and do this to them pic.twitter.com/vGMncpamrp
— Doug Saathoff (@WestForkFarm) December 1, 2017
12. Remembering The “Reason For The Season”
https://twitter.com/RealKiraDavis/status/939583645378949120
In 2013, the Hanukkah counterpart, Mensch on a Bench, hit the market. In December 2014, it appeared on “Shark Tank” and earned a deal with Lori Greiner and Robert Herjavec. It seems that Mensch is far less demanding than Elf:
Mentioning Mensch on a Bench to your friends and then begrudgingly explaining what it is and why it’s better than Elf on a Shelf is one of the simple joys of life.
— caleb™ is getting skinny summer ‘21 (@CalebJGoldberg) December 2, 2017
Or how about “Mensch on a Bench”? 👍🏼 Sure beats Elf in a Shelf! 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/irb3HzAfgw
— Candy Hoffman-Schacter 🥋 (@CandySchacter) November 23, 2017
Whether you’re an Elf family or a Mensch family, we wish you good luck this holiday season!