Elf On The Shelf: The Creepiest Christmas Tradition Ever?

First Posted: 12/14/11 12:20 PM ET Updated: 12/14/11 01:11 PM ET

WARNING: Video above contains violent images and sexual references.

What started as a sweet attempt to convince children to behave for Santa has turned, inevitably, into a creepy Internet meme. Smirking silently behind cherub red cheeks, the Elf on the Shelf doll is a combination of Child's Play's Chucky and the Furbys of the '90s.

In the video above, Taiwan-based NMA TV has enacted all of our nightmares about the doll, resulting in one of the more gruesome (and lewd) depictions of Christmastime we've ever seen.

To be fair, Elf on the Shelf, a toy that's been on bestseller lists for the past six years, has always had a mildly disturbing element. Touted as "Santa's elves come to life," they're meant to be placed in children's rooms and left to watch over their behaviour to make sure kids land soundly on Santa's "good" list. The elves accompanied by a book, as well as a fully fleshed out website, complete with a space to register your elf and receive a certificate from Santa (a la Cabbage Patch Kids' adoption centre).

But it's the pixie-like gaze of the elf that you can't help but be drawn back and squirm beneath. As much as the moral judgement sounds like a good idea in theory, it's problematic upon reflection. As has been noted previously, the Elf on the Shelf is nothing more than a snitch, whispering in Santa's ear and tattling like there's no tomorrow. Is that really a lesson we want to impart to kids?

We're happy to note at least we're not the only ones feeling the creep factor. Let's just say that its creator is one of the most wickedly funny writers we've seen in a while.

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WARNING: Video above contains violent images and sexual references. What started as a sweet attempt to convince children to behave for Santa has turned, inevitably, into a creepy Internet meme. Smi...
WARNING: Video above contains violent images and sexual references. What started as a sweet attempt to convince children to behave for Santa has turned, inevitably, into a creepy Internet meme. Smi...
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09:03 AM on 11/30/2012
It is weird and disturbing. Santa Claus is fine. Just don't blackmail kids constantly with that sicko elf watching everywhere. I know people who are using this as a way to get their kids to do everything. Just tell em no---don't try to get all psychological.
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Tim Moore
Afraid of clowns
12:13 AM on 12/16/2011
WTF! That's pretty messed up.
07:01 PM on 12/15/2011
WTF did I just watch? And why do the Chinese have such a hard on for it?
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AKQueenie
No such thing as coincidence, just synchronicity.
05:05 PM on 12/15/2011
What the he ll did I just watch? Is this really how they market toys in Asia? Cause that's messed up in so many ways.
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eurisko67
02:14 PM on 12/15/2011
I don't know why everyone is so down on this. It's exactly the same scam Christianity pulls on it's flock. Better behave yourself, there's someone up in the sky always watching what you're doing. And if you're bad he's gonna know about it.
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12:13 PM on 12/15/2011
I think the elf on the shelf is totally creepy, and the message of being constantly monitored for bad behavior during a single month is not a message I want to send to my kids. If my kids are rotten, I don't want them thinking Santa will be angry, I want them thinking mom and dad will be angry.
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Runey
religion is why we can't have nice things.
01:20 PM on 12/15/2011
sometimes 'mom and dad' don't have the same effect
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05:18 PM on 12/15/2011
If your kids don't behave in December unless you threaten them with Santa forgetting them, then they certainly aren't going to behave the other 11months of the year.
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Mrsbean54
07:17 AM on 12/15/2011
Ok, maybe this commercial is the creepiest thing ever, but the actual Elf on the Shelf is cute. My nieces' elf gets into all kinds of mischief when he comes to visit. He turns the milk green, draws mustaches on a family picture, writes his name in toys.....and it makes the cutest pictures :)

Lots of dolls that kids love could definitely be considered creepy by adults, but kids aren't disturbed. I'd love to have one of these elves when I have kids.