I have a problem ... Santa's elves followed me home!

18 years ago

The first step is admitting you have a problem ... mine is I love Santa's elves!

It all started when I was about 5 years old and I fell in love with a 2ft tall Christmas elf decoration. Now 40 years later I think I'm out of control and may need some "elf-help".

Over the years I've collected numerous elves. Often it's a search as Santa's elves are not as near as popular as snowmen or Santa. Yesterday I was at Kmart and saw a display of elves (Trim-a-Home Christmas Kids). The small elves were 28" tall and $19.99 and the big elves were 36" tall and $24.99. They are made of fabric with red and green outfits, pointy elf shoes, and happy faces. Their arms are poseable so all I can imagine is how cute they will be standing next to the Christmas tree hanging an ornament. I was head over heels in love with them but resisted the impulse to buy. Surely they would go on sale and I could get more than just 3 elves (another problem is not just one elf will do).

So this morning I check the Kmart ad online and they're on sale for 20% off! Woohoo! So off I go driving through the icy sleet because I HAVE to have the elves and I must get there before they sell-out (because in my mind they are so cute that everyone is probably rushing there to buy them). I decide to buy 6 elves ... 3 elves for me, 2 elves for my niece who's newly married and expecting her first child, and 1 elf for a gift give-away. So there I am strolling through Kmart with a shopping cart filled with elves. People are laughing as it was quite a sight! I was already so happy I couldn't stop smiling and then the cashier told me the elves rang up at $9.99 each ... 50% off!

You would think this happy ending would be the end of the story, but it's not ... I went back for more. I know what your thinking ... how many elves does one person need?

The 36" tall elves would look perfect standing next to the big Christmas tree. The big elves were $24.99 and suppose to be on sale for $19.99. I took one for a price check and it was actually on sale for 50% off ... how's a girl suppose to resist that? So I picked out 2 big elves and somewhere along the way down the aisle another 6 small elves jumped into my shopping cart!

I know if your counting elves by now you know that I have a house full of elves! Yes I am desperately in need of some "elf-help" but I have this huge smile on my face!

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Comments (9)

nodakgal
18 years ago
LOL I have a huge smile on my face too just reading your story!!
I say the MORE the merrier!
(sorry I'm no help, but whatever makes you happy is a good thing IMO)
grammahony
18 years ago
Is there a 12 step program for elf addictions?
Leslie
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Sitting here in tears, tears of happiness. I truly love you all. I am sending out HUGE but gentle hug's to you all. Thank you for caring for me and always finding a way to brighten my days. I truly don't have a mean bone in my body, and would never intentionally hurt someone. I'm a lover, not a fighter, smiles. Please do not feel sorry for me, as I was fortunate to have the best parents in the world, and now they are home, together, with the Lord. There will be no more suffering or sadness for them. Missing them just reminds me of how great they loved me, how great I love them. My mom has been gone 6 months now, but some days, it seems like I just spent time with her, or talked to her on the phone, or had just [picked greenbeans out of the garden with her. Then there are the days that it seems like I haven't seen here in sooo long. Those are the days I miss her the most. Jan, you had a shoulder for me during my moms illness, and then thru her death. I will be forever grateful my dear friend. MaryEllen (Mellen), you have been my rock my dearest friend. I love you so much more that I could ever show or express. I plan to spend many, many years cherishing our friendship. Carol, my new friend. The gal who will always set things right, and will always extend her arms for a loving hug. The one who can always make you giggle unexpectedly. I have studied how she works, and she is my RR role model :-) You are a very fair and caring person. Thank you for your wonderful friendship. Toni, maybe with our luck colliding, something GOOD is bound to happen, smiles. Your sense of humor is awesome. Even in your dispair, you manage to light up a room. Earthly is always one of the first to offer comfort. And you have, to me, many times. Thank you also for your friendship. Steph, you have shown me patience and understanding many times girl. I can't thank you enough. I can't wait! for some of your Strawberry Rhubarb Jam :-). If I have left anyone out, please forgive me. And please don't take it personally. You all have touched my life in one way or another. Whether it be with comforting words, cards, plants or seeds. Your thoughts and prayers really do make a difference. I sincerely love you all Tina
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janie_ga
18 years ago
at least you don't have to feed them, unlike the furry critters that like to follow me home!
lindyluwho
18 years ago
You need Elves Anonymous!!!! Loved reading your story, it made me laugh.

Linda
bestlawn
18 years ago
You sound like my mother.
"I couldn't leave it hanging there!"
So glad you got the elf'n magic.
lydia1959
18 years ago
LOL... you have a serious problem!
gwanny2three
18 years ago
That's funny....I'd like to see your collection!
liketolearn
Original Author
18 years ago
Yes, my problem has obviously become more serious. I came home from shopping and I could only bring 3 elves in the house with me. I didn't think DH would take it well to find an army of elves when he walked in the living room! And since the elves are over 2ft tall it's not like he wouldn't notice!

Alas, another sign I have a serious problem as I'm now hiding elves (hanging my head in shame). Once DH left for work I quickly scurried to gather my elves from the car. Thank goodness DH didn't take my car to work as he would have had a heart attack to look in the rear view mirror and see all these elves staring back at him!

As I sit here there are 14 very happy elves watching me. Our little puppy girl gave them a few barks and determined they were friendly, and she was outnumbered, so she backed off.

Now what to do with the elves? It's not like DH (though sometimes oblivious) won't notice a 2ft elf. Without a doubt he'd notice 14 of them! You may be thinking the best way to handle this is to put out the 3 elves and each day as we get closer to Christmas just add another one and maybe DH won't notice the elf population has exploded. If he does notice then pretend he's loosing his memory and we've had them for years or vigorously assert that you read on the internet a recent article about the unexplained elf population explosion. I know what your thinking ... the problem is even more serious then you thought as she is now lying to cover-up her elf addiction.

Not to worry I've already figured out what to do! We are living in a very small rental while building a new house. All of our Christmas stuff is packed away so we are not actually decorating for Christmas. So only 1 elf will be enjoying the holidays with us this year as there is not enough room in this small rental for more. My plan for next year is to strategically place them throughout the new house which is much bigger!

I may stick with the idea of putting out a few and then just add one (or two) here (and there) as we get closer to Christmas. Hopefully DH doesn't think to take a daily elf "head count". Honestly after more than 20 years together he shouldn't be the least bit surprised.

Now I must get busy and do something with all these elves before DH gets home from work! I have to find some big boxes to pack them in (note to self ... do not label boxes "elves"). Then I'll slip them in the pile of boxes to go to the new house. And just a little snicker on my part as DH will unknowingly be the one that takes the boxes full of elves to the new house and puts them in the storage area.

Someday (but not anytime soon) I will fess up to my DH on my "elf capade" and we will have a good laugh! I'm not doing that though till I have too ...

Did someone mention they know of a 12-step program for elf addiction?
caroline94535
18 years ago
I howled reading your story. Make sure you lable the elf boxes as "Kitchen Items."

I'm in favor of sneaking in an elf here and and elf there. He'll probably not notice; I don't think my DH would.

I have a problem ... Santa's elves followed me home!

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nodakgal

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I have a problem ... Santa's elves followed me home!

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