# People don't do Elfie for their kids. They do it to impress friends on Facebook. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 16, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182 "2012-12-16T14:12:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Enkel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Enkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enkel)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/21 "2012-12-16T17:08:05Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > It also sounds like a good way to make your kids paranoid. > […]Sounds like grown-ups just trying to have some fun during Christmas time. I think it is funny. If any adult (other than a parent) did this to a kid in their custody, people would be screaming mental abuse. But a no-touchy-tattle-tale-elf is just good fun for parents. Oh… for the joys of procreation… and getting to torture your own off-spring. ---
**Author:** ![Sr\_Siete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@Sr\_Siete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sr_Siete)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/22 "2012-12-16T17:13:50Z")
Wait— this people are telling their children that a small living doll spies on them and then leaves at night to rat all their little secrets? Yep. Next generation of psychiatrists are all settled. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/23 "2012-12-16T17:19:30Z")
It’s torture in the same way that teaching kids about an all-seeing, all-knowing, all-judging God is torture. In other words, it’s a game that is entirely consistent with the craziness of our society. If kids aren’t pissing themselves in fear of God’s wrath, then chances are a little elf is just going to amuse them. (Except that people don’t put God totem’s all over the house like they are little nanny cams. So in this sense, the elves are scarier.) ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/24 "2012-12-16T17:22:39Z")
This thread started stupid, but has taken a particularly idiotic turn. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/25 "2012-12-16T17:26:22Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > This thread started stupid, but has taken a particularly idiotic turn. Yes. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/26 "2012-12-16T17:31:13Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > It’s strange: I _have_ a Facebook account, and yet the first place I hear about all of these worn-out Facebook fads and memes that everybody’s sick of always seems to be here. **friedo** likes this. ---
**Author:** ![Monstera\_deliciosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monstera_deliciosa/32/109_2.png) [@Monstera\_deliciosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstera_deliciosa)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/27 "2012-12-16T17:35:14Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > (Except that people don’t put God totem’s all over the house like they are little nanny cams. So in this sense, the elves are scarier.) Yeah, sure. In my grandparents house, where my mom and I lived until I was thirteen, there was a big ol’ picture of Jesus hanging in the living room, right above the tv. When I was little, I thought the thing was watching me all the time.:eek: ---
**Author:** ![overlyverbose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/9dc877/32.png) [@overlyverbose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/overlyverbose)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/28 "2012-12-16T17:40:00Z")
I think the Elf on a Shelf idea is creepy as all hell. Plus, what happens when you take it down? Does that mean they’ve got free license to misbehave? One way or the other, it seems like the wrong message. “You won’t get toys if you misbehave.” Um, that should be true regardless of an elf on a shelf, and you’re making those toys awfully important when all their behavior is working toward toys. They need to behave well because that’s just what you do, not because Santa will blacklist you. And I’m all for belief in Santa (my six year old still believes, but I expect that won’t last beyond next year); however, you’re adding yet another layer of magical thinking that doesn’t need to be there. Hell, kids have issues enough with ghosts and monsters and nightmares - you’re going to add something else to freak them out? Unfair. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/29 "2012-12-16T17:40:43Z")
Lighten the fuck up. I have a friend that does this, and I think it’s great. Hell, I look forward to seeing what Elfie has gotten himself into each day. For his kids, it’s a harmless, fun diversion that adds a bit of joy and mystery to their lives. The world we live in is often a cold, harsh place. His kids don’t know that yet. That’s a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/30 "2012-12-16T18:28:54Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > It’s torture in the same way that teaching kids about an all-seeing, all-knowing, all-judging God is torture. > > In other words, it’s a game that is entirely consistent with the craziness of our society. If kids aren’t pissing themselves in fear of God’s wrath, then chances are a little elf is just going to amuse them. > > (Except that people don’t put God totem’s all over the house like they are little nanny cams. So in this sense, the elves are scarier.) Um yeeeah, try to stay focused on topic here. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/31 "2012-12-16T20:27:20Z")
Don’t worry, this is the sort of Christmas fad that will die a very quick death when someone hides Elfie _too_ well, and their enterprising elf-seeking kids end up finding the Christmas present stash in the top of the cupboard. Yeah, teach your kids to hunt round every nook and cranny of the house in December - no way that’s going to go wrong! ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/32 "2012-12-16T20:36:21Z")
:rolleyes: This “fad” has been growing in popularity for about a decade. Just about every family with young children participates these days. Also, you don’t really hide the elf so that it’s difficult to find. Most people just move him around the house so that the kids spend a total of one minute searching. “Oh look, now he’s on the Christmas tree.” ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/33 "2012-12-16T20:51:02Z")
> [@Sr\_Siete](#): > > Wait— this people are telling their children that a small living doll spies on them and then leaves at night to rat all their little secrets? > > Yep. Next generation of psychiatrists are all settled. On the other hand, if their kids ever end up being spied on by elven ninja, they’ll be adequately prepared. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/34 "2012-12-16T21:11:18Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Lighten the fuck up. I have a friend that does this, and I think it’s great. Hell, I look forward to seeing what Elfie has gotten himself into each day. For his kids, it’s a harmless, fun diversion that adds a bit of joy and mystery to their lives. The world we live in is often a cold, harsh place. His kids don’t know that yet. That’s a good thing. You know, you’re right. I’m as guilty as anyone of knee-jerk cynicism about these things, but your post gave me a new perspective. It really is about the kids. I’ve even decided to participate myself. [Merry Christmas](http://i.imgur.com/TQnsH.jpg), everyone! ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/35 "2012-12-16T21:17:52Z")
Hi folks! Send me lots of money. It’s a Christmas tradition! ---
**Author:** ![Lucky\_13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucky_13/32/13209_2.png) [@Lucky\_13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucky_13)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/36 "2012-12-16T21:26:50Z")
I’m so glad my family and friends haven’t bought into that fad. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/37 "2012-12-16T21:27:41Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > It’s strange: I _have_ a Facebook account, and yet the first place I hear about all of these worn-out Facebook fads and memes that everybody’s sick of always seems to be here. You and me both. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/38 "2012-12-16T21:27:53Z")
The only friend who does this puts Elfie in various adult and/or pornographic poses. I am assured that the kids don’t actually see it. ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/39 "2012-12-16T22:36:45Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > _sigh_ > > (snip) > > I am kind of irritated by the OP’s lack of forthcoming-ness. I’d like to get my hate on without having to do my own research. Indeed! This flexible Elf reminds me of our old office christmas tree where one man always moved the Santa ornament to be straddling one of the blinking red lights. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2012, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182/40 "2012-12-16T22:45:34Z")
For the cynics, there are some inspirational Elfie pictures [here](http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Inappropriate-Elf/176356539055340). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-dont-do-elfie-for-their-kids-they-do-it-to-impress-friends-on-facebook/644182.md?page=3)