The Elf on the Shelf is watching you...

As I mentioned in my Advent post, this year we will be counting down to Christmas with our new friend - The Elf on the Shelf - named by Harry today as "Elfiegoy". The Elf on the Shelf is a scout elf, sent by Father Christmas to keep an eye on children during the festive period and report back to Santa each night on their behaviour.

We are going to be keeping it very light hearted. For me, the Elf tradition isn't about making the children terrified that they won't get any presents for Christmas. Instead I'll be focussing on the creative and playful side, and coming up with fun ways for Elfiegoy to occupy himself before the children find him in the morning. There is masses of inspiration on line and I have a few ideas lined up - he'll definitely be having a play with our Hama beads and other crafty things, and he'll probably bring some festive treats and activities for the children to do too.

I won't be blogging daily pictures of our Elf (I admit he's rather creepy, I don't want to freak everyone out) but I may well do a weekly round up post sharing all the things that he's been up to!

Elfiegoy arrived on the doorstep after lunch, wrapped up in his box and announcing his arrival with a ring of the doorbell.

Harry has not been very well this week, he's in the middle of chicken pox so he's feeling rather miserable. He's been spending a lot of time watching the Elf on the Shelf DVD which accompanies the story, so we based Elfiegoy's arrival around that. We left him in his box while we read the book, and gave him his name. Then, after some fascinated faces peering at him he was left alone to settle in.

After the children were in bed he of course flew back to the North Pole to make his report, then settled himself down for a good view from the Christmas tree.