#571 on the shelf

Tonight is the last night for the Elf on the Shelf -- and for many of the millions of parents participating in this new tradition, it is a huge relief.  

I know a parent who woke up in a panic one night fearing that she forgot to move the figurine.  Others have told me stories about how the elf fell off the counter and they had to walk around it for a day (since you can't touch it).  Another elf landed on the doggie treat container, so a box from under the Christmas tree needed to be pressed into service for a day.  Another elf sat upon a light bulb in the bedroom chandelier and caught on fire!

But not all parents are stressed by the elf.  I heard a colleague tell of a mom who went over-the-top in embracing it.  Each day she created a new scenario for the elf.  Examples included:
> She put flour on the counter and the elf made snow angels in it
> The elf TP-ed the Christmas tree!
> The elf was found playing Scrabble with the other toys
> She purchased little red balls and made Rudolph noses on all the pictures in the house

It seems that, love it or hate it, the elf has added another layer of complexity to an already stressed season.  I remember no stories about advent calendars or setting cookies out for Santa.  

In our life and in our organizations, we should reevaluate whether something that requires a daily time commitment is truly worth it.  Maybe next year, the elf needs to stay on the shelf -- in the back of the closet!

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
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