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1st December 2023
02:58pm GMT
More traditionally known as December or the run-up to Christmas, either way it's a stressful time for parents.
Originally it was the hunt for presents, buying all new clothes and trying to get the food shop sorted that left us all feeling drained but in recent years a new task has been added to the list.
It's a tiny elf dressed in a rather funky outfit that parents have to remember to move around the house daily to keep the magic alive.
While it's a fun tradition to take on Elf on the Shelf requires time and a decent memory, two things that most of us lack.
@craygardens Christmas magic mom hack #elfontheshelf #elfontheshelfideas #christmashack #inexpensivechristmasdecor #inexpensivechristmasgifts #magicalchristmas #christmasmagic #christmasmemory ♬ original sound - CrayGardens
That's why this mother has come up with a genius, low-effort solution to help decrease just a smidge of that Christmas pressure.
TikToker Cray Gardens shared the hack that she dubbed the "lazy mom’s Elf on the Shelf."
She told her followers that instead of getting an Elf on the Shelf she gets a cheap Christmas house decoration or even a fairy door as some as her followers suggested.
Explaining her method the TikToker said: "When your kids are asleep you’re gonna put [the house] somewhere with a little note and when your kids wake up, surprise, an elf has moved into your house.
"He’s at Santa’s workshop all day long, because that makes sense, and he comes here at night and your responsibility is to feed him one piece of sugary cereal every day (or a sweet, biscuit, whatever you want or have at home)."
She added: "And on occasion, he will leave a mess behind that we have to clean up or a note of encouragement for your kids or maybe even a treat or two," but of course, you can get creative with this.
The best part is you don't have to do something every day, taking just a wee bit of pressure off parents.
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