The Elf on the Shelf has become a quick Christmas tradition for many families. Across the world, parents put out a small elf and tell children that it watches them to report their behavior back to Santa.
They then move the elf to different locations until Christmas morning. But one father, Alan Lawrence, took the concept farther when he dressed up his 4-month-old son and used him as the family elf.
The elf still watches your every move
Photo: thatdadblog.com
Lawrence said he felt inspired when he realized his son looked a little like the elf doll parents place around the house. So he put his son in the costume and began taking pictures as if he were one.
Photo: littlethings.com
Just like the little elf in the story, the photographs show his son following him around and watching everything he does. Santa has to have some way to know when you are sleeping and know when you’re awake.
The elf gets into some trouble of his own
Photo: littlethings.com
His elf son isn’t taking his watching job too seriously, because Lawrence included a number of photos of the elf pulling a series of pranks on the unaware family.
Photo: littlethings.com
Breakfast becomes a daily struggle when the stream of marshmallows to the face don’t stop. But this is a risk one must take to record such adorable holiday pictures.
The elf also reports back to Santa
Photo: littlethings.com
How else would an elf contact Santa except through toys? Here the picture shows him writing out, “Dear Santa, They have not been feeding me enough sugar!” Sounds like someone might make the naughty list.
Photo: littlethings.com
Of course, sometimes an elf has to get a bit more hi-tech. When he asked to borrow his dad’s phone to call Santa, Lawrence got it back with the phone full of selfies (or as he calls them “elfies”).
The elf has phone hanging out with the whole family
Photo: littlethings.com
Nothing says quality time with dad like not letting him take a shower in peace. The elf appears joyous in many of the pictures, capturing the true happiness of holiday traditions
Photo: littlethings.com
The elf has to watch the rest of the family too, and that includes Lawrence’s other son Wil. Lawrence has been inspired to take whimsical pictures of both his sons in the past.
Elves need downtime too
Photo: littlethings.com
Now the elf gets the sugar he needs. The whimsy of the project extends into imagining how an elf with such a hard job might spend his time off. December is a long month for an elf not to be allowed to unwind every now and again.
Photo: littlethings.com
Sometimes you need a friend too. While the elf can share a laugh with the family, he remains in charge of watching them. Playing a quick game with Godzilla allows the elf to socialize with someone he doesn’t have to report on. This project turned out delightful all because a father took a little inspiration from a newly-minted holiday classic.
Sources: littlethings.com / thatdadblog.com
