That Effing Elf

I didn’t want to do it. I didn’t want to start that stupid Elf. But two years ago, Unicorn Rainbow (yes, that is what my daughter named him even after I pointed out that he is a boy) joined our little holiday traditions.

We keep it simple, so our Elf only moves each night. (No shenanigans, costumes, or mischief.) But each morning, my children jump out of bed to find Unicorn Rainbow. Their eyes shine…their excitement is palpable.

It’s not about the fact that the Elf is supposed to be watching the kids and reporting to Santa. Or should be seen or used as a threat. It’s not about an elf in an outfit or doing something silly. For us it’s a tradition. Another way to surprise them and keep the magic alive.  And much to my chagrin, I enjoy it.

You get a limited number of Christmases with Santa. My daughter is 7 and in first grade. This is most likely her last year believing in Santa and an elf. I can’t help but feel that once she knows there is no jolly fat man,  of our Christmas magic will be gone.  And as much as I have hated getting out of bed to move the Elf on nights I have forgotten, sleepily texting my husband to move it when he gets off in the morning, and even that one time I just threw it across the room as the kids came in behind me, I will miss the joy in her eyes. I will miss the innocence. I will miss the magic that is a child’s belief in Santa (and an elf).

While we will still continue these traditions for my son, who is almost 4, it won’t be the same only having one child believing. And all too soon, he will know the truth and Unicorn Rainbow won’t be cool any more.

Time goes by so quickly and I want them to have every bit of magic they can before it goes away (for all of us). So, we will have an elf, a Santa, a St. Nick’s Day, Toothfairy, Easter Bunny, and any other magical crap somebody comes up with. They will be grown soon enough so I will let them be little while I can.