If your're familiar with the Elf on the Shelf phenomenon and for some reason seem to enjoy it, you may have to stop reading this post.
Because we're going to be upfront: there is something very creepy about this tiny little smiley elf.
Basically, parents are encouraged to take part in this Christmas tradition by leaving this "special elf scout" sent from the North Pole, in different areas of the home where it can watch over their kids. As the elf's fancy site points out, "[The] elf helps Santa Claus manage his naughty and nice lists. When a family adopts a scout elf and gives it a name, the scout elf receives its Christmas magic and can fly to the North Pole each night to tell Santa Claus about all of the day's adventures."
So like the rest of us, Santa is getting a little overworked, because now he needs a tiny elf to help with his workload.
And while we're into the idea of letting your kids find the elf in different parts of the house as a holiday game, telling your children they're constantly being watched can get a little frightening ... even for adults. According to the Atlantic, some Amazon users (The Elf on the Shelf is also a book), said a small number of readers found the elf scary, and their children were only "nice" for the month of December.
And as one Huffington Post blogger points out, not only was her kid creeped out, but he also knocked over the elf and crushed him. Can we all just take a moment, and think of the children?
But if you're still a fan of fooling your kids and scaring them, you may change your mind after seeing some of these photos. Sure, Pinterest can be a wonderful place to share your Elf on the Shelf ideas, but there is nothing fun about these creepy examples... for kids or adults!
