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As we navigate the whirlwind of the holiday season this year in Houston, I wanted to share a moment of genuine connection as your local publisher. This time of year can be beautifully chaotic, and I'm right there with you in the midst of it all. Our family tradition of Elf on the Shelf has been a source of joy for the past couple of years, but this year looks a bit different.
With our upcoming move and the numerous preparations filling our December calendar, our elf Happy will be making a delayed return. And it's a perfect reminder that parenthood is all about flexibility, creativity, and letting go of perfection.
Since Happy's first arrival 2 years ago, we've had a couple of stellar seasons of daily mischief. This year, however, I'm trailing behind and wrestling with a Christmas cocktail of emotions as life unfolds its unpredictable narrative. And when I scroll through social media and see my fellow parents showcasing their perfectly positioned elves and elaborate nighttime scenes, a wave of conflicting feelings washes over me. There's a twinge of guilt, a dash of inadequacy, and an underlying reminder that comparison is the thief of joy.
The truth is, the Elf on the Shelf has inadvertently gone from a heartwarming tradition into something that can feel like an unspoken parental performance. It's easy to get caught up in the pressure of creating Instagram-worthy moments, forgetting that the real magic lies in the spontaneous laughter, the shared excitement, and the simple joy of childhood wonder.
So here's my pledge: I'm choosing to embrace our imperfect elf journey this year. Whether Happy arrives late, moves minimally, or creates less elaborate scenes, what matters most is the memories we're nurturing. As long as we're not qualifying for the Elf Olympics, we're doing just fine.
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On that note, I offer you some creative ways to embrace your late-arriving elf:
🧑🎄 Create a Backstory Turn the delay into an adventure! Maybe your elf got lost, took a wrong turn at the North Pole, or was stuck in holiday traffic. Kids love a good story, and this can transform a potential disappointment into an exciting narrative. Imagine the elf leaving a note explaining their epic journey, complete with imaginary passport stamps and travel stickers.
This is my angle this year. With moving, the first thing I am doing before anything in our new home is setting up our tree and Christmas decor. When I bring my son to the new home, Happy will be there waiting for us with a note along the lines of "...sorry I'm late, I was busy helping Santa with your new home"
🧑🎄 Modify the Tradition Who says the elf has to arrive on December 1st? Make your own rules. Perhaps your elf becomes a "12 Days of Christmas" special guest, or arrives just in time for the final holiday countdown. The magic isn't in the date—it's in the moment of joy and imagination you create with your children.
This will be probably be my approach from now on. 12 days is very reasonable and a more doable happy medium.
🧑🎄 Involve the Kids Transform the late arrival into a collaborative experience. Ask your children to help create the elf's "travel journal" or design a welcome home party. This turns a potential stress point into a creative family activity that builds excitement and connection.
🧑🎄 Give Yourself Grace The most important message? Be kind to yourself. Holiday traditions are meant to bring joy, not stress. If moving the elf every night feels overwhelming, simplify. Maybe the elf moves only a few times a week, or creates less elaborate scenes. The goal is creating memories, not Pinterest-perfect moments.
🧑🎄 Embrace Imperfection Some of the best family memories come from unexpected moments and improvised traditions. Your late-arriving elf might become the most memorable part of this year's holiday season. Children remember the laughter, the storytelling, and the love—not whether everything happened exactly on schedule.
Remember, the Elf on the Shelf is a tradition about magic, imagination, and family. It's not a measure of your parenting success. Whether your elf arrives early, late, or somewhere in between, what matters most is the holiday wonder you continue to create for your children.
So take a deep breath, laugh a little, and welcome your elf home—whenever they decide to arrive! ❤️
p.s. If your elf doesn't arrive at all this year, revert back to number 1 and run with a story like Elf is an astronaut this year and launched from the Johnson Space Center to spend Christmas in space.
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