The Elf on the Shelf has been accused of doing many naughty things, but this year he may be doing more than you think. And it might not be all harmless fun.
As you position your Elf on the Shelf during this festive period give a thought to what information the little fella’ may be gathering about you and your kin. If you flout the Covid restrictions it may not be your curtain twitching neighbour causing you problems. It may be your Elf, as part of the newly created Fun Police.
With existing police forces stretched to breaking point, this year they are asking everyone to be vigilant about law breakers. Although the police deny they have spoken to them, Elves on the Shelves are in an ideal position to let your local bobby know if you’ve been stretching the bubble to bursting point.
You may have an outdoor bar, hot tub and a garden the size of Kew, but letting your friends come round for a party is dangerous ground (in tiers 2 and 3).
Your Elf may be counting your visitors in and out of your house when it gets chilly, or when they want to use your toilet. So don’t be surprised if you get that knock on the door and the polite policeman seems to know more about your house than you’d like..
Other Elf on the Shelf dangers
And Covid isn’t the only risk with an Elf on the Shelf. Leaving your computer unattended can also lead to trouble.
With Santa restricted to only entering houses where the the rules allow and people supply hand sanitiser, your presents may be sourced by the Elf on the Shelf based on your search history. Just make sure you’ve been searching for those socks you’ve always wanted, otherwise worry that you may find something altogether more embarrassing under the tree come Christmas morning.
Finally, there are rumours that the naughtiest Elves on the Shelf have been copying credit card numbers and selling the details to call centres in India. It’s only later in the post festive period when you see huge bills and get bombarded with calls offering loft insulation that this jolly jape will become apparent.
The Elves on Shelves themselves deny they’re anything other than a fun Christmas tradition.
“We make a bit of a mess at night, then sleep all day. You ask Father Christmas. At a push we might say if a child has been naughty or nice, and slip a piece of coal in his present bag, but that’s as far as it goes”.
However, given they are both unreliable and untrustworthy by their very nature, we leave you to decide whether you take the risk of having them in your home this year.
