There are people who like the elf and those who do not, kind of like Christmas. This year the elf handlers in my family started preparing for the extra effort and the joy of the Elf on the Shelf. I found that my son does not really remember what he got for Christmas but he remembers the elf fishing for goldfish crackers and playing with toilet paper. After a few nights hiding on various shelves, Mom got bored and the crazy ideas circulating on the internet had her launching the elf into flour, setting up a marshmallow snow fort and various other shenanigans. I posted my crazy photos on Facebook and before I knew it the elf had a following. My son loved Chip the elf dearly and loved his crazy ideas but a few older adults with no kids who saw my posts said they really enjoyed waking up each morning to see a new surprise, including a friend who was going through major cancer treatments. You can make the tradition what you want and you can make your elf the creepy daunting vision you envisioned or you can have it turn the milk green, blame it for the pizza box you left in the living room and share it via e-mail with those afar to include them in your celebrations. Kids are little for just a short time, and this is a great way to extend the Christmas joy.