Dump the pointy-eared pixie!
I may be tinsel-tipsy,
but what’s with that guy?
Elf on a Shelf, the supreme tattler.
Old St. Nick sure didn’t hire him.
Why cultivate fear in a kid’s heart
when Rudolph’s coming to town?
Unconditional love,
so much better!
A quadrille written for dVerse, the virtual pub for poets around the globe. Today Mish asks us to use the word tinsel, or a form of the word (not a synonym) in a poem of exactly 44 words. Photo by Hello I’m Nik on Unsplash
Elf on a Shelf is a product predominately sold in the U.S. Parents can set the elf out and move it about the house every night when the children go to bed so it seems like the elf is alive. The children then hunt for the elf the next morning. The real purpose of the elf is to spy on the children and make sure they’re being good so Santa will come on Christmas morning! Parents actually tell the children they must be good or the elf will let Santa know they’re on the naughty list! I’ve never liked this idea – no offense to anyone reading this who uses it during the Christmas season. Just my opinion.
lillian the home poet 
To hell with that elf. That is the last thing that the little ones need to worry about. It is about as festive as Krampus.
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I hate to say it, but I always felt that the Elf on a Shelf was just the child version of a peeping Tom lol. It’s just so creepy.
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I agree!
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Lillian, I never knew how Elf on the Shelf was used by parents. Sorry to hear its manipulative purpose. External compliance never works from my experience. Better to cultivate a kindness within.
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You’ve made me look at the Elf on the Shelf in a different light….not that he’s ever visited any of my shelves, but hmmm….I did not know the intent of tattling to Santa. I thought it was more of an imaginary, humorous activity. OK!! I think now I am with you on this one!
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I did not know this and I have not used this tale to the children. I think its better to focus on unconditional love, not fear.
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Unconditional love,
so much better!
Agreed LIllian! It is so much better to create feelings of love for the young. To instil fear or any feelings of negativity is itself being negative
Hank
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A great poem! I am with you, Lillian, cultivating positive attitudes is a much better way than cultivating fear in our children.
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Oh, my elves (yes, we have two) would love to play with tinsel. I can only imagine the mischief they’d get into. Great fun, Lillian.
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No elf required. If they’re misbehaving, just pretend you’ve got Santa on the line & aim your phone at them.
Nice work, Lillian!
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Wow. I had no idea the elf was spying on children to report back to Santa. I just thought it was a fun activity for kids to find the elf each morning. This didn’t exist when my kids were growing up. I guess I need to pay more attention.
Loved your poem.
Ali
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I’m with you. What a horrible idea! That parents think this game is cute makes me think they have no idea how vulnerable a child’s heart is.
Pax,
Dora
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I’d never even heard of this before, Lillian! I totally agree with you.
❤
David
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According to the song, Santa was doing the same!
He sees you when you’re sleeping
He knows when you’re awake
He knows if you’ve been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake!
Ohh! You better watch out!
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What a creepy idea, I am glad it hasn’t come to Sweden… I imagine that it comes with a webacm installed today.
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I agree, Well done.
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Wish you could see the huge grin on my face … for I actually have a sparkly red pixie hanging on our front door. Cheers Lillian and Happy Holidays.
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I’m with you, Lillian. Never cultivate fear.
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