Judge Issues Court Order Banishing Elf On The Shelf

A judge has drafted up a court order banishing Elf on the Shelf. And we’re not mad about it.

Hear us out. The world is divided into two distinct camps: those who do Elf on the Shelf, and those who don’t. But there’s a murky in between group (which includes me), who love the concept but honestly just can’t be bothered any more. And now we’ve got a Get Out Of Elf Jail Free Card.

For those who don’t know, Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition hailing from a book released in 2005. The premise is that the Elf arrives on December 1, and keeps a close eye on the kids’ behaviour during the day. Every night, when the children are sleeping, the Elf heads back to the North Pole to give Santa a full report on whether they’ve been good or bad. And each morning when the children wake, the Elf is in a different position in the house, usually up to some sort of cheekiness.

And while most of us start out the month with gusto, it’s not long before the novelty of moving the Elf and thinking up new Elf antics starts to wear off. So a very understanding US judge has created a court order banishing the elves.

“My family loves all of our Elves and it is a fun family tradition. However, it is a nightly commitment and if you miss a night, you have some explaining to do,” Judge Leonard, chief judge of the Superior Court of Cobb County, explained.

“I decided that for those people that needed to retire their Elf or put it out later in the year, I could take the heat for them with a mock order,” Leonard added.

Tired of living in Elf on the Shelf tyranny? Not looking forward to the Elf forgetting to move and causing your kids emotional distress? I am a public servant and will take the heat for you. My gift to tired parents.

P.S. – If you love your elf, keep your elf. No contempts. pic.twitter.com/JcqAOljbAS

— Judge Rob Leonard (@JudgeLeonard) November 4, 2021

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Bravo Judge Rob Leonard. We salute you.

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39 Comments

- - meedee said
  - 21 Jun 2024
    10:06 am
My Gran always said “Start as you mean to go on”….If you are not going to want to keep doing something then dont start.

- - Ellen said
  - 11 Dec 2023
    4:52 am
We simply never introduced Elf on the shelf

- - mom101628 said
  - 06 Jun 2022
    12:59 am
Elf on the Shelf wasn’t around when my children were little – do hope the problem can be sorted out.

- - mom457867 said
  - 09 Jan 2022
    1:57 am
Can’t say I’ve ever done this. It actually sounds cool.

- - rovermum said
  - 02 Dec 2021
    9:41 am
I am so glad my son is old enough before elf on the shelf became a thing. I know I would have done it and it would have stressed me no end.

- - Zmijka86 said
  - 02 Dec 2021
    8:20 am
Its our 1st year with an elf and I like the idea.

- - Mumof3boyos said
  - 01 Dec 2021
    8:56 pm
I don’t do it, just don’t see the appeal.

- - smart_ass said
  - 30 Nov 2021
    11:12 am
Elf on the Shelf was never around when I was younger. Love the idea but not sure I could keep up with moving the little Elf every night and having the think of places/positions etc

- - tessie said
  - 29 Nov 2021
    12:03 pm
I just love this although we’ve never done the “elf on the shelf” scenario. My boys were too old when this started and I’m sure it would have made the lead up to Christmas even more stressful than it already is.

- - ~Loui~ said
  - 28 Nov 2021
    10:33 pm
It’s way too stressful; trying to get the elf to remember to move each night !

- - romvar said
  - 27 Nov 2021
    11:37 am
Love looking at everyone else’s Elf On the Shelf creations but I just don’t have the ideas for myself.

- - shanika said
  - 24 Nov 2021
    11:06 am
I am not familiar with this.

- - mum300445 said
  - 23 Nov 2021
    8:58 pm
I love this! No elf on the shelf in our family yet. Not sure I’m keen to start the tradition!

- - Chelsea1905 said
  - 16 Nov 2021
    9:29 pm
I have not really started the elf on the shelf yet, buuuut I am really not sure I want too! Such a commitment.

- - rovermum said
  - 15 Nov 2021
    12:32 pm
All I can say is thank God my son was older before this was a thing. Just seems way too stressful.

- - mom74005 said
  - 15 Nov 2021
    11:06 am
Our elf on the shelf is still in its box. We will see if it gets unsealed this year.

- - mom324778 said
  - 14 Nov 2021
    9:11 pm
I was not into elf on the shelf at all then last year my mum Gifted me one so I tried it and my 2 year old at the time loved it so much but yes moving it around every day was crazy I don’t know if I’ll do it this year

- - MummaJana said
  - 13 Nov 2021
    9:23 pm
We don’t do elf on shelf. But we love to put a slipper on the window and then every morning kids can find a little treat in there (only when they have been good though ????)

- - Amanda Holland said
  - 13 Nov 2021
    10:56 am
I know a few people who would love this LOL

- - mom473640 said
  - 13 Nov 2021
    8:11 am
We don’t have Elf on the Shelf at our place but as grandparents we have the Santa Camera. They ran out of elves so Santa sent us a wonderful Elf stand in.
The camera monitor takes two double A batteries and blinks to show it is working.
The grandchildren have really embraced it even telling their grandfather to behave as Santa was watching.
Batteries out when the kids are not about.
We did pay the Reject Shop postage for receiving it for us from Santa.
Worth every cent.