Love elf on a shelf but Jewish

[Anonymous]

Mohel on a shelf.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Wow, there really are some grinches out there. I guess I don't know a lot about the elf on a shelf story. I was unaware that the elf reported to Santa. I actually just like the fact that there's a little seasonal character visiting for a few days...making a mess, leaving treats, etc. I like the st pattys suggestion and may try to find some wintery or dreidel characters. I had no idea that there was relevance to disciplining children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ugh. I hate the elf -- can't you just discipline your kids without holding the threat of no presents over their heads? Or if you want to do this manipulative bullshit, can't you just TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT like the grown up you supposedly are? Please.

Statements like this make me sad. I can understand not liking the 'snitch' aspect of the Elf, but at least for our family and the others I've talked to the 'magic' of the Elf isn't the reporting aspect, but rather finding him in a new spot each day, and (for the kids of my more organized friends) seeing what 'mischief' the Elf has caused - swapping out socks for stockings, traipsing Elf footprints across the kitchen counter, etc. I'm sure there are some people who use the Elf (and the original 'Naughty or Nice' tradition) as a discipline assist, but I think for most of us it's just one more *fun* holiday tradition to do with our kids.

Growing up I loved the 'magical' feel of the holiday season, and having my own kids is renewing my love of those traditions. I stopped believing in Santa Claus by 6, but that didn't take away the fun of the myth, or make the appearance of presents under the tree feel less special just because I knew my parents had done it. In a weird way knowing that my parents were going to all this trouble to perpetuate the 'magic' of the season made it more special.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op here. Wow, there really are some grinches out there. I guess I don't know a lot about the elf on a shelf story. I was unaware that the elf reported to Santa. I actually just like the fact that there's a little seasonal character visiting for a few days...making a mess, leaving treats, etc. I like the st pattys suggestion and may try to find some wintery or dreidel characters. I had no idea that there was relevance to disciplining children.

Aware enough to say "....but Jewish".

[Anonymous]

"Hanukkah helpers"

http://www.elf-magic.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=A001

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Hanukkah helpers"

http://www.elf-magic.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?search=action&category=A001

Perfect! Take it and make it your own OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:... the Christian holiday you mean

Yes, Christmas is a Christian holiday. If that makes you feel uncomfortable, don't celebrate even the tangential pagan and commercial aspects of the day. Surely, though, you can understand that there are Jews who are secure enough in their faith that they can put a doll on a shelf without fearing for their children's future sense of identity and belief system.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Moses on the Mantel? Just kidding.

I like this, too bad I am not Jewish so I cant incorporate it into my holiday traditions.

[Anonymous]

How about a Jewish Star OP? A cute saying might be...

don't stray far from the star ... or
the star shines brightly and can see you fighting ... or I'm sure someone reading DCUM is more clever. Ideas anyone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I suggest Grandfather Frost. He's kind of like Santa, however, he doesn't come on Christmas, he comes on New Year's Eve and gives kids their presents.

That was invented by the communists and its purpose was to replace santa.
Be inventive.
Make a girl santa, maybe accompanied with a wolf?
According to ancient custom the party needs to be around winter solstice. Xmas was invented by the roman empire replace the pagan god who haad a birthday on dec 25. The pagans further north had a mid winter celebracion at winter solstice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mohel on a shelf.

Priceless!

[Anonymous]

Elf on the Shelf is the most secular holiday thing out there. Go for it.

[Anonymous]

I have the solution for you geltgivinggolem.com.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ah. I didn't realize. Is he supposed to be one of Santa's elves or something? Is he some sort of advent elf? I figured he was just some creepy elf people used to manipulate their kids to behave.

which makes me find the post really strange.

All of the "players" in the Hanukkah story are really harsh. They would scare anyone. You can pick from one of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Moses on the Mantel? Just kidding.

I like this, too bad I am not Jewish so I cant incorporate it into my holiday traditions.

Better, Yentle on the mantle.

(if you are my grandma, the words rhyme).

...or go with Golems (yiddish zombies, more or less).