Christmas is here, and this means a lot of things to everyone. For parents, it is about seeing the joy and happiness on their children’s faces and being with family and friends. While children also love seeing the people they love, the holidays are usually about something else for them. That is presents. Children can be hyper-focused on gifts this time of year, and while this is normal, it is always important to talk about the real meaning behind this time of year. However, they don’t just love presents, they also love all of the traditions and magic this time of year.
A newer tradition to hit homes has been the Elf on a Shelf, and this has taken over the world. There are countless posts about it on social media, and children love looking for their elf every day. While it can be exhausting for some parents, and we don’t need to explain why they continue to do it because of how happy it makes their children.
The Tradition: Explained
While there may not be many who do not have a general idea of how this tradition works, there may be some so we will do a brief recap. According to Huffington Post, the Elf on a Shelf involves a “Scout Elf” who is sent from the North Pole. While the more classic tradition is that the elf is sent to watch over the children and report back to Santa, not every parent uses their elf in this way. The elves usually get into mischief every day, and they always come back in a new spot every morning, meaning children race around the house to try and find where the new elf is.
All About The Magic
The answer as to why children love this tradition may be much simpler than we think. According to The Toy Insider, the elf is another component of Christmas magic. Children love magic and believing, and it is part of what makes this time of year come alive for them. When they see that their elf has arrived, they know that the countdown is on until Santa appears to bring them gifts and treats. Parents can even get pulled into this magic because seeing their children filled with joy can remind them of when they were younger and how they felt the same way.
Games
Children love games, and the elf on the shelf is really just a game that lasts for a month, according to Very Well Family. Children love to play; they are developmentally built to play and explore; so searching for the family elf every day is something that is right up their alley. It is also something that honors tradition and stability. While children may not realize it, the elf becomes an important family tradition, and these are important for a child. As the elf comes back year after year, they have a sense of stability which means they feel safe and secure. It also gives children another “person” to talk to. Part of the tradition is that children cannot touch the elf, but they are encouraged to talk to him and tell him what they want for Christmas or anything on their minds. The elf becomes just as much of a friend to them as their friends at the schoolyard.
Sources: Huffington Post, The Toy Insider, Very Well Family