OMG, Elf on the Shelf DOES date to the 60s

[Anonymous]

Was going through a box of vintage ornaments we inherited. At the bottom was one of the elves from that book Elf on the Shelf. This thing would have been used circa 1965 or so. But it was a Christmas ornament.... But the exact same thing as what's being sold now. CREEPY.

[Anonymous]

The book was self-published in 2005, so the "phenomenon" has only been a thing relatively recently.

But yes, similar Christmas elves for decoration have been around forever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The book was self-published in 2005, so the "phenomenon" has only been a thing relatively recently.

But yes, similar Christmas elves for decoration have been around forever.

Interesting. Because this elf is the exact same thing that's sold in these books. Not close. Exact.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The book was self-published in 2005, so the "phenomenon" has only been a thing relatively recently.

But yes, similar Christmas elves for decoration have been around forever.

Interesting. Because this elf is the exact same thing that's sold in these books. Not close. Exact.

The story is that a mom made up this story for her 2 daughters. She probably just grabbed an mass-produced elf that was being sold at the time out of the Christmas decoration box, and that became Elf on a Shelf.

I'd put it on EBay, OP. It's probably a collector's item!

[Anonymous]

My grandma had one, before it was "elf on the shelf." It's identical. She used it as a ornament/decoration. I think they were common.

[Anonymous]

I've seen this terrifying old rotten plastic with balding flocked white beardy elf as well in peoples homes... terrifying.

[Anonymous]

My grandparents had literally two dozen of them. I'm using one as my daughter's elf on a shelf - no need to buy the book and a new one when my family had oodles of them laying around.

[Anonymous]

That Elf is going to kill someone in their sleep. I'm sure of it. That thing is creepy as hell and having it move around at night even makes it more so.

[Anonymous]

Agreed. I'm not sure who is more creeped out by it, me or my 3 year old.
Those eyes, they are watching me

[Anonymous]

Is it creepy because It is old or because of the eyes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The book was self-published in 2005, so the "phenomenon" has only been a thing relatively recently.

But yes, similar Christmas elves for decoration have been around forever.

Interesting. Because this elf is the exact same thing that's sold in these books. Not close. Exact.

The story is that a mom made up this story for her 2 daughters. She probably just grabbed an mass-produced elf that was being sold at the time out of the Christmas decoration box, and that became Elf on a Shelf.

I'd put it on EBay, OP. It's probably a collector's item!

My stepmother's family used a nearly identical elf in a nearly identical way in the 50's/60's. I grew up hearing about it so always assumed it was a normal thing in some circles that was commercialized. Interesting to hear that the lady thinks she came up with it!

[Anonymous]

Can someone explain the plush Elf on Shelf http://www.peaydesigns.com/images/Christmas%20-%20Elf%20on%20the%20Shelf%20-%20Plushee%20-%20Small.jpg ?

All year 'round ? Snuggly only during the holidays? I thought he was supposed to watch from afar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My grandma had one, before it was "elf on the shelf." It's identical. She used it as a ornament/decoration. I think they were common.

Me too. My aunt had one that's sitting exactly like the elf on the shelf (knees pulled to chest), and a second one that was laying on its stomach with hands under chin and feet in the air. Perhaps they were mass produced sets.

[Anonymous]

Am I the only one who finds it weird to have this fake mass produced tradition instead of authentic things that are part of your family?

[Anonymous]

Can't tell you how I know, but the company that sells these damn things is even creepier than their product.