Nanny to Mommy

If you are new to Elf on the Shelf or considering it for the first time, this list may or may not be for you. I was forced into the tradition of Elf on the Shelf. My mother-in-law gifted us the little creature when my daughter wasn't quite three years old. It was annoying to deal with as it was just another thing for us to deal with during the holidays aka our busiest time of year. Then my son was born and became mobile so I realized I was gifted this wonderful incentive to help him behave because no child wants to send a bad report to Santa himself aka the big guy.

My husband and I tend to forget to move our elf so we tell our kids "Annie (or elf) must really like that spot". But, unfortunately, we can't do this for 25 straight days. So I have created the Elf on the Shelf ideas for Lazy Parents who are like me and don’t like messy are super involved mischiefs for their elves to get up to.

My friends have been getting together more frequently during the holidays. It can still be hard to get everyone together especially since most of us are married with children, but we still feel it is important to spend time together. This year we did our first Thanksgiving and for the past few years we have been getting together for a Christmas/New Years shindig. This year, I suggestion we do an Ugly Christmas Sweater party because honestly? Themed parties are so MUCH FUN!

I personally love the variety to choose from at UglyChristmasSweater.com. Whatever you like, they have something for you. Rick and Morty, a variety of Disney, plenty of different Christmas movies, etc. Plus they have onesies, leggings, and more on top of sweater options. They even have ones that light too.

About Pavilion Books: "Pavilion Books is a thriving independent London-based publisher specialising in illustrated books for the UK and all international markets. We publish around 150 books a year under our range of established imprints; Batsford, Collins & Brown, National Trust, Pavilion, Pavilion Children’s, Pitkin and Portico. Our high-profile authors include Millie Marotta, Oz Clarke and Gennaro Contaldo and we specialise in managing brand-led publishing programmes with brands and organisations such as The National Trust, Good Housekeeping and Mollie Makes. At the core of our business are specialist lists such as craft, cookery, children’s and textile art."

Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year as the song says, it is also very, very exciting for children. Perhaps a little too exciting and as the Christmas decorations go up in the town so early these days, the supermarket shelves are full of Christmas it can seem a long time for children to wait for Christmas Day. However, it doesn't have to be, this can all be part of the fun of preparing for Christmas, so how can you do that without your child expecting it always to be Christmas tomorrow?