It’s the look on a child’s face. That wide-eyed wonder. “Did he move? Did he really fly?”
That feeling is real. The magic is in the anticipation. The secret whispers. The maybe.
Adults need this, too. We need excuses to be silly. To cut out tiny paper hats. To hide a doll in the freezer.
Is the Elf on the Shelf real? No. But is the fun real? Absolutely.
Think about it. We have a national holiday tradition based on a plastic spy. A guy from the North Pole uses a toy to tattle on kids. That’s weird.
And yet, millions participate. Stores sell elf-climbing kits. Elf pajamas. Elf divorce papers.
Wait, what? Yes. Elf divorce papers are a real product. Two elves split up and “co-parent” the kids.
We’ve turned a simple toy into a complex, year-long drama. That’s either insane or hilarious.
How To Spot A “Fake” Elf
Look closely. The official elf has a specific face. Chubby cheeks. A pointy hat. Dead eyes.
Bootleg elves are everywhere. They look like rejected Pixar characters. Sort of sad.
If the elf has a scratch from a dog attack, it’s real. That is, it’s a real toy that was chewed. Not magical.
Or maybe it is magical. Maybe the scratch is proof it fought off a goblin. Who are we to question?
How Is Elf On The Shelf Real at Esther Thompson blog
The best test? Ask your elf a question. Leave a note. “What’s my favorite color?” If he answers, you’re either a genius or you have a very committed parent.
