My son is too old for Elf on the Shelf pranks, but I do it every year anyway. I think I have more fun with it than he does.

The first Christmas I tried the Elf on the Shelf trend, my son was already 6. It was during the pandemic, and I thought it might cheer us both up. I had a friend who was doing it with her kids, and it seemed like a lot of fun.

I didn't think it was necessary to buy the trademark Elf. I had a little gnome that we used as a Christmas decoration, and decided to use that as our Elf.

My son has always known it's me

For the first prank, I wrapped my son's shoes in plastic wrap — or rather, the Elf did. When my son woke up the next morning, he was confused, to put it mildly.

For the first few Elf pranks, I tried to keep up the illusion that the Elf was the one responsible. But my son figured out pretty quickly that it was me, all along. I kept doing something different each night anyway, and my son just thought it was funny. It was exciting for him to wake up and see what I had done.

The author says her son has always known she's responsible for the Elf's pranks. Courtesy of Ashley Archambault

I unexpectedly connected to others through the tradition

I started sending pictures of the pranks to my friends when I thought they were especially funny, but I really loved sharing ideas with the friend who had introduced me to the Elf on the Shelf. It gave us something extra to bond over. The Elf extended beyond something I was just doing to make my son laugh, and helped me connect more with friends, too.

I still love saving ideas on Pinterest and seeing what other parents are doing on social media during December. In this way, I feel that it helps me feel connected to others on a deeper level. I think the tradition has caught on not just because it makes our kids laugh, but it's a way for parents to be kids again themselves.

The author and her son on the holidays. Courtesy of Ashley Archambault

It gave me a reason to laugh and an excuse to be playful

I honestly couldn't believe how much I laughed setting up some of the Elf surprises. I felt a little embarrassed laughing that much all by myself after my son had fallen asleep. Adults are rarely allowed to just be silly, and sometimes I struggle to do things for fun.

After that first year trying it out, my son and I each found the whole Elf on the Shelf thing to be hilarious. The following year, he asked me if I was going to trick him again with the Elf, and I was so happy he did because I loved planning out all of those Elf tricks. For the 24 days leading up to Christmas, I basically get to be a kid again and make my son smile in the process.

I'm not a fan of any Elf tricks that cost a lot of money or take up too much time, but I am guilty of buying some supplies solely for certain tricks. Mostly, I try to use things I already have around the house. Now that I'm married, my husband just kind of shakes his head while I set up some Elf scene late at night and laugh way too much.

The author gets a lot of enjoyment out of creating Elf on the helf set-ups for her son. Courtesy of Ashley Archambault

This is the last year I think I can get away with being the Elf

The Elf tradition is something I started during the last Christmas that it was just my son and me before I met my now-husband. Our tradition is a little different since he has always known I'm the Elf. It's more of an inside joke between the two of us at this point. We've continued the Elf tradition ever since that first try, but he's turning 12 this year.

While he has always known that I'm the one playing the pranks, I still feel like this should be the last Christmas we do it. My son will be in middle school next year, and I think it might be a little uncomfortable for everyone if I continue trying to trick him with a Christmas toy. Last year, I was already getting a lot of eye rolls from him.

This may be the last year the author does the Elf and the Shelf. Courtesy of Ashley Archambault

I definitely get the most benefit out of the Elf routine

I think my son understands it takes time for me to set up the Elf antics for 24 days and that I do it just to make him smile, if I'm successful. That's the part that makes me enjoy the tradition a little more than him. Not only do I get to make myself giggle, but I get to see that face he makes when he's trying not to smile but can't help himself. As a mom, that's my favorite.