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Email a FriendWe do all of the above plus my favorite, our Jesus stocking where we collect notes recounting a good deed or act of penance each day during our Advent wreath prayer time. On Christmas morning, Jesus’ stocking is full of our gifts for Him.
Elf on the Shelf
and other family traditions
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 9:59 PM
New to my radar this year: Elf on the Shelf—a fun game that involves a cute little elf who hides each evening for the children to seek the next day.
I’ve never heard of it before and this year I’m seeing it everywhere. Do you have an elf on your shelf?
What other fun traditions are out there to celebrate? Do you celebrate St. Nicolas day, or Santa Lucia, or Our Lady of Guadalupe? Or perhaps all three—and more! Please share what Advent traditions you and your family enjoy.
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Posted by Mary Beth on Tuesday, Nov 29, 2011 11:01 PM (EDT):
We have a home-made version of the Elf on the Shelf (of whom I had not heard until recently). 7 or 8 years ago, we somehow came into possession of a small stuffed mouse, whom our oldest two named ‘Bingo’. Bingo seems to have a habit of hiding throughout the house, in a different place each night, throughout the month of December. On Christmas morning, he always ends up in our nativity set, alongside baby Jesus. ‘Bingo the Christmas Mouse’ isn’t exactly mass-market material, but our kids are always thrilled each year when they pull him out of the box of decorations!
Posted by Carolyn A on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011 12:03 AM (EDT):
We have an Elf on the Shelf - three years now. Our kids thank Jesus for their elf in their nightly prayers - ALL YEAR ROUND! They were so excited for his return on Sunday and have been talking to him, writing him notes, etc.
We keep the St. Nicholas filling the shoes tradition, and Holy Heroes Advent Adventure with the Jesse Tree and our Advent calendar and wreath, have all become traditions. If I’m planning ahead, I try to make something Mexican for dinner for Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Posted by Claire on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011 12:56 AM (EDT):
This year I found a magnetic Advent wreath with accompanying Bible verses that is pretty age-appropriate for my almost-4 year old. I’m hoping this will become an annual tradition.
Posted by Claire on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011 8:51 PM (EDT):
Hi Jennifer, I’m really sorry, but I can’t find it on the website that I ordered it from (Christian book.com, which is a ministry of Focus on the Family). I did a search for it, and couldn’t find it anywhere. I even opened up my account and pulled up the order, but the product portion of the order was blank. I’m wondering if maybe they ran out and don’t carry it anymore? It’s a shame, because it’s a great product.
Posted by Leslie on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011 9:43 PM (EDT):
Is this it?
http://www.catholicchild.com/MAGNETIC-ADVENT-WREATH/productinfo/32943/
Posted by joyce on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011 2:11 AM (EDT):
I don’t do this, but I have friends that have Mary and Joseph roam throughout the house for Advent until they reach the Nativity on Christmas eve. I do decorate a little each day in preparing my home for Jesus’ birth as well as an Advent calendar and wreath.
I do start my wisemen roaming all through the house on Christmas until they reach the Nativity on Epiphany. It’s really fun for my boys although they are older now, they love it. They can’t wait for Epiphany~we bake our Birthday cake for Jesus on that day as well.
Posted by Ginny at Random Acts of Momness on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011 2:24 AM (EDT):
We have an Elf on the Shelf doll who basically does nothing more than sit in the same place all month. I always forget to move him, darnit. It’s a fun idea, though.
That said, one of my friends tried it and her daughter freaked out at the idea of this big-eyed plastic guy watching her 24/7. He had to go back in the box. Parenting: you win some, you lose some.
Posted by Irene on Thursday, Dec 1, 2011 12:35 AM (EDT):
Rachel and Ginny,
Regarding how some kids are afraid of things that are typically fun about Christmas, we have one daughter who at a younger age was so completely freaked out about the idea of Santa coming in our house while we were sleeping that we had to pretend that we left him a note to leave the presents on our front porch. Then on Christmas morning we sent Daddy downstairs ahead of everyone to “bring the presents in from the porch and put them under the tree.” She was so happy that we found a way to make her feel more comfortable and still get presents!
I’m sure you’ve probably heard that Advent & Christmas are for children… We’ve been having fun celebrating Advent in many many ways, where should I begin?
:: During Advent I go on a date with each of my children individually, I’ve taken my 2nd son to decorate a gingerbread house, I’ve taken my 1st son to church to volunteer with housing the homeless, I’ve taken my daughter to a St Lucia program: http://nestfullofeggs.blogspot.com/2010/12/st-lucia-program.html
:: Each Sunday of Advent, each child has an Advent wreath breakfast, a donut with 3 purple candles & one pink with the appropriate candle(s) lit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19337958@N02/6412220293/
:: Jesse Tree: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19337958@N02/3074239071/
:: St Nicholas Day: http://nestfullofeggs.blogspot.com/2010/12/saint-nicholas-day.html
:: St Lucia Smorgasbord: http://nestfullofeggs.blogspot.com/2010/12/st-lucia-smorgasbord.html
:: Advent Calendars: http://www.flickr.com/photos/19337958@N02/sets/72157622747594301/
Have a Blessed Advent !
Posted by Mary on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011 3:57 PM (EDT):
Instead of Elf on the Shelf, we have Mary and Joseph roaming the house until Christmas. Then the Wise Men start to make their journey until Epiphany. The children get a kick out of looking for Mary, Joseph and the Wise Men. I get a kick out hiding them. 
Posted by Sarah on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011 5:49 PM (EDT):
I had not heard of elf on the shelf. We do an advent wreath, and are planning to make an advent chain today with a good deed on each ring. Growing up we did advent calendars (hard to find these days) and advent candles (we loved this one, but my kids are still too small for it).
Posted by Terri on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011 6:34 PM (EDT):
We do Elf on a Shelf. “Dingle” made his appearance last night. There’s actually a website for ideas on where to hide him and silly things he can do while waiting for the kids to get up each day. If my girls are being really challenging for a couple days, he has been known not to return from Santa for a day or two. (Santa doesn’t want to waste the magic of Dingle going back and forth just to report bad behavior.) That usually shapes them up.
We have an Advent Wreath that we light each night.
The 3 Wise Men start making their trek on Christmas day, and only move if the girls are being good. We have also done, “padding Jesus’ manger with good deeds (a straw for each good deed they do) so it’s soft when he arrives.
We also celebrate St. Nicholas Day and Santa Lucia.
I like the idea of decorating a little at a time, so I don’t feel overwhelmed to get it done. I too see it as a preparation of our Lord’s coming.
Posted by debbie on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011 7:35 PM (EDT):
yes! we love ‘charlie’ the elf. My kids can’t wait for him to come every year…he will actually be arriving tonight! The kids also make a ‘chain’ link with green and red construction for the 25 days till Christmas. Each day we take a link off and do something fun as a family (craft, baking, story, singing carols, etc)...they are making the links as I write.
Posted by Joan on Wednesday, Nov 30, 2011 7:53 PM (EDT):
The Elf on the Shelf has been terrifying some children in my Kindergarten class for the past 3 or 4 years. I think the parents must make serious threats to them about the elf “watching” them. ON the other hand a few of them like it. If I took a poll I think the popularity of the elf on the shelf would be pretty low.
Advent is one of my most favorite times of year. My parents made it so meaningful for us, and my husband and I have lots of Advent traditions we have continued with our own kids: Jesse Tree, Advent wreath, Traveling Creche, Christkindl, Mangers. I detailed them all on my blog last year, with pictures and explanations.
(http://8littlearrows.wordpress.com/category/advent-and-christmas/advent-traditions-advent-and-christmas/)
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