Meet December. He’s Our Elf.

We have an elf on the shelf and his name is December.  I’ll wait for the collective, “Oh, how cute!”  or from the other half of the peanut gallery, “You’ve got to be kidding me!”

December was invited into our home three years ago by Nana who neglected to ask permission or clue in My Farmer and me on the story of the Elf on the Shelf.  Needless to say this continues to be a learning experience.

(I am not going to post a picture of December.  He’s sitting on a shelf.)

Anyway, December is the subject of much discussion in our household.  Last year we had a frightful experience when My Farmer touched him.  Can you believe it?!!  Don’t we all know you cannot touch the elf once he has landed for the day?!

Natalie screamed, “You killed the elf!”

My poor Farmer.  He was innocent in his mistake.  Thankfully, by the power of Christmas magic, December arrived safe and sound the next morning with a note scolding My Farmer and assuring the kids that Santa would make everything okay.

Adding insult to injury, My Farmer received a lump of coal in his stocking that year with a note that read, “Try harder next year.  Don’t touch the elf.”

December has made some crash landings, arriving in the wee hours of morning or sneaking in while the kids ate breakfast.

This morning he took his perch on a shelf in the office, the same shelf he was propped on just two days ago, hugging a crystal trophy of sorts.  This perplexed Natalie.

“He never sits on the same shelf. Why would he do that?”

My Farmer threw me a panicked look.  He assisted December last night in his landing and obviously had not taken note as to where the elf had been previously.

“Well,” My Farmer started hesitantly.  “Maybe, he thinks he needs to watch the office more because Mom is always telling you to pick up your mess in there.”

Triumph.  Good save, My Farmer.  Good save.

But Ethan, ever the practical thinker, shrugged off the explanation.  “No, Dad. I think he’s homesick.  See the glass on that trophy is cold and he comes from the North Pole, which is cold.  It’s been so warm here.  I think he just wants to be near something that reminds him of home.”

Right.

Exactly.

Makes complete sense.

Why didn’t we think of that?