The Elf On The Shelf started out as a family tradition with Carol Aeborsold's family when she was a little girl, and was extended to her own family when she had children of her own. She wrote a book about it in 2005 along with her author daughter, and another daughter joined the other two with her knowledge of marketing and they began going to book signings and trade fairs. The book included an Elf doll as well as instructions to carry on the tradition. Essentially, the elf on the shelf watches children, and when the children are asleep, the elf reports back to the North Pole and tells Santa how the children behaved; whether naughty or nice. It returns every morning before the children wake up and assumes a different place than before. This goes on until Christmas Eve, when the elf's mission is complete and he disappears back to the North Pole until next year. Children are not allowed to touch the elf, can tell it their Christmas wishes.
The book slowly gained in popularity until in 2013 it hit the No. 1 spot on USA Today's bestseller list. There has been opinions by professional children's counselors that condemn the book as just a market ploy to make money at the expense of creating childhood anxiety at Christmas time, while other have enjoyed the book and tradition with their family. By 2023, the book was earning $100,000 million annually, and have made the three that wrote and marketed it multi millionaires. The three women went on to create their own publishing firm and grown the book into a global phenomenon.
After listening to Gummer's lyrics, it's obvious what side she's on! But all it takes is something people can latch on to that they think is good! Whether you think the idea is cute, or like Gummer, stupid, it's hard to argue with success! By the way, we were kind of at a loss as to what picture to use for a heading for this post, so we asked Ms Beaudine if she had a preference. She sent us the picture at the top of this post!
Ev'ry Christmas, I travel around
To each one of my kids own place
Like to see all my Grandkids
Giggly, with smiles on their face
The decorations are pretty
They make me smile to myself
But one thing gets my dander up...
IF I SEE THE ELF ON THE SHELF!
Who in hell thought up that dumb thing?
Ain't nothin' but a Santa snitch!
They report back, Any and all lack
Of kids bein’ good, what a bitch!
Some woman started it all
With their family tradition
And wrote it all in a book
With detailed instructions
Tell the elf yer Christmas wishes
And then when the kids dreamin' deep
He flies back to the North Pole
Rats out the kids while fast asleep
Tells Santa all the naughty stuff
The kids did all through the day
So Santa can punish them all
Not git what they want Christmas Day!
Who in hell thought up that dumb thing?
Ain't nothin' but a Santa snitch!
They report back, Any and all lack
Of kids bein’ good, what a bitch!
Why not turn yer own tradition
Into a money-makin' farce?
Use it to control yer kids
My patience fer it is sparse!
The book tells ya to name the elf
Each day put him a different place
I'd call the shit-head rat asshole!
Throw him down and stomp on his face!
I know where I'd put the butt hole
Chuck him in a burnin' fire place
Tell all of 'em responsible
That's the end of this sorry case!
Who in hell thought up that dumb thing?
Ain't nothin' but Santa’s bitch!
They done it to make big money
People thought it up sure got rich!
Don't control yer kids with a dumb idea!
They got 'enough worries of their own
Without addin' this nonsense to it!
Teach yer kids the right way!
By what ya do, as much as what you say!
Don't depend on a goddam expensive, cheaply made
Elf doll!
No comments:
Post a Comment