Why I hate Elf on the shelf

Hey readers,

What I am going to write in this post may divide opinion but it is only my opinion so don't get too distressed if you're a fan of the old Elf on The Shelf.

 I am not, lol so I am going to tell you why.
If you haven't heard of Elf of Shelf let me give you a quick explanation about this popular trend at Christmas time. 

It is an Elf that is sent from Santa to check up on children to see if they are being naughty or nice. 

It derived from America from a story that was written in 2005. Parents go out and buy an Elf toy (if you buy the book there is one with it).

 Every day from the 1st of December right up to Christmas parents will bring old Elf when the kids are in bed and place him around in the home in different locations each day.

 Another addition to this phenomena some parents even add presents with the Elf to reward the child for being good.
Why I hate Elf on The Shelf!!!11.png

Deceitfulness.

The idea of encouraging children to behave because the Elf is watching them can potentially encourage children to be deceitful and hide their behaviour in order to get rewards.

Pain in the bum.

The thought of having to think of new and creative ways for the Elf is hard work especially in December as it tends to be one of the busiest months of the year.

  There is the pressure to buy all the products that are attached to Elf on the Shelf and just encourages consumerism. 

Not to mention the pressure on Social Media to outdo friends or acquaintances with what the elf has been up to.

Creepy.

There is nothing more creepy than knowing an Elf is watching you all the time and is knocking about at your home.

 Why do we need to make children feel they are being watched I much prefer to give my boys the trust in doing the right thing.

 Not to mention giving them the feeling that they have the respect of their own privacy without thinking that an Elf is constantly watching them.

Anxiety.

I have seen many fails on YouTube regarding Elf on The Shelf and one of the themes that made me question the whole idea of the Elf is the sheer anxiety and distress that it causes children.

 Some children have a fear of toys that come alive, especially if they have seen them in movies such as Toy Story.

The Elf can cause some children to be petrified in case they have done something bad and will get punished. Where it could simply be the case that they have done a mistake and that it was not intentional. 

They may feel paranoid and cause more distress, it may trigger them to be anxious when they really don't need to be,  bearing in my mind that The Elf on The Shelf lasts most of December.

Learn.

It is common knowledge that sometimes the best way to learn is through mistakes, but this stops children from learning through making things right when they are simple but on the naughty list. They don't get that opportunity to learn and grow as a person.

So, there you have it, that is why I hate Elf on The Shelf? Are you a fan or do you hate like I do? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below.  

Cheers for reading X

43 Christmas Instagram Captions!

Hey readers,

Looking for a fun way to comment on your Instagram photos this Christmas? Look no further have a variety of different festive captions to enjoy and be merry!


FUNNY CAPTIONS.

1. All the jingle ladies. 

2. The tree isn't the only thing getting lit this year.

3. It's beginning to *cost* a lot like Christmas.

4. But first, let me take an Elfie.

5. I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. But if the white runs out, I'll drink the red.

6. Me every day: slay. Me in December: sleigh.

7. I can't wait to exchange all these presents.

8. This is my resting Grinch face.

9. Don't mind me, I'll just be over here crying and watching Hallmark Christmas movies.

10. At least the presents were beautifully wrapped for a couple hours ...

11. I'll be ho-ho-home for Christmas.

12. One more cookie and I swear I'll fit in the Santa costume.

13. Instead of listing everyone in this photo, let's just call it, "The Naughty List".

14. Don't get your tinsel in a tangle.

15. It's like they WANT stockings full of coal.

16. Current status: ready for a long winter's nap.

17. All I want for Christmas is you (and maybe some cookies, too).

SONG CAPTIONS.

1. "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!" — Johnny Mathis.

2. "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas." —Bing Crosby.

3. "All I want for Christmas is you." —Mariah Carey.

4. "We can hardly stand the wait. Please Christmas, don't be late." —Alvin & The Chipmunks.

5. "Have yourself a merry little Christmas." —Frank Sinatra.

6. "Silver bells, silver bells. It's Christmas time in the city." –Bing Crosby.

7. "Deck the halls with boughs of holly." –Thomas Olliphant.

8. "Rockin' around the Christmas tree, at the Christmas party hop." –Johnny Marks and Brenda Lee.

9. "Although it’s been said, many times, many ways... Merry Christmas to you." – Mel Tormé.

CUTE  CAPTIONS!

1. It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.

2. May your days be merry and bright.

3. My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others.

4. If kisses were snowflakes, I'd send you a blizzard.

5. All is calm, all is bright.

6. I got all spruced up for the holidays.

7. Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind.

8. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

9. Love the giver more than the gift.

10. Meet me under the mistletoe.

11. Although it's been said, many times, many ways ... Merry Christmas to you.

12. My favorite color is Christmas lights.

13. I'm only a morning person on December 25th.

14. One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day.

15. On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ...

16. All I want for Christmas is you!

17. Snuggled up together, like two birds of a feather would be ...

Cheers for reading X 

My Sunday Photo 14/11/2021

My first Christmas hot chocolate (mint) of the year from Greggs.

Melting snowman cookie recipe

Hey readers, 

A nice little Christmas recipe you can do with the children is these super easy melting snowman cookies. 

These are perfect because it is not too complicated but will get anyone in a festive mood. 

Melting snowman cookie recipe

What you will need.

*  12 cookies.

 * 12 white marshmallows.
 
* Red/green/yellow tube of writing icing.  

* 400g of fodent icing sugar. 

How to make the cookies.

1. Place the icing sugar into the bowl. Start with a teaspoon of water and mix into the icing. 

Keep adding a teaspoon of water each time until the icing gets to a runny consistency but think enough to coat on a spoon. 

2. Cut the marshmallows in half. 

3. Now getting the icing sugar and cover the cookie and add the marshmallow at the top of the cookie.

4. Give the cookie a couple of minutes to set the mixture. 

5. Get the red icing pen put two dots for the eyes and a red mouth on the marshmallow head.

6. A yellow dot for the nose on the marshmallow head. 

7. Get the red icing pen again and make a red scarf around the marshmallow.

8. Use all three icing writing pens and make dots on some of the cookie's tummies.

9. On the other half of the batch of cookies draw a yellow line down the tummy of the snowman and then yes red and green dots on the line to make it look like a snowman scarf. 

10. Allow some time for the icing to dry onto the cookies and then there you have some melting snowman cookies.


Enjoy!

Cheers for reading X

Ways to stay warm in winter.

Hey readers,

During the winter period, it can be very cold - in and outside of the home. Here are some ways that I have found it helpful to stay warm during the winter months.

Ways to stay warm in winter.



Firstly let's look at keeping yourself self-warm when you go outside. I think the key element is to focus on your laying of clothing and making sure you have the right garments for the temperature outside.

Maintaining Heat.

It is important to maintain your temperature so doing things to keep warm such as using a hot water bottle in bed. Make sure that you have at least one hot meal a day.  Having a hot drink is a quick way to keep warm at home.

Stay active.

Another way to stay warm is by moving about and being active. It is recommended that you get up every hour to move about and get the blood circulating which will, in turn, help keep you warm. Doing moderate exercise can also help keep warm, even if it is doing some situps or wall pushes this will help towards staying warm during winter.

The layering of clothes.

So this could be wearing long sleeves and trouser pajamas at night or even wearing a dressing gown and bed socks. Having cotton, silk or wool will be more warming as opposed to synthetic materials.  You can also have a top under a top and check out thermal clothing to give that extra layer of warmth.

When going outside have suitable footwear, socks, hats, gloves, and jumpers that will keep you cosy in the harsh winter weather outside. The good thing is if you are getting hot from walking you can remove the layer and vice versa putting back on the garment when you are getting cold.

Weather.

A great tip for keeping warm in winter is making sure that you are on top of the weather forecast and knowing what the weather of the day will be like.

 This then prepares you for what the weather is like outside so you can wear suitable clothing and if the weather is bad to consider going out at all. Also if you drive you will be conscious of what the roads will be like and if you have the right tools to make sure that car is good enough to see out of when driving.

Blankets.

Blankets are a Godsend during the winter as they keep you warm - especially with a hot water bottle underneath when you are in the living room watching TV or reading a book. plus they keep you cosy when it is cold and dark outside.

Warmers.

A brilliant product you can purchase is hand and feet warmers. Feet warmers are designed to stick on your feet and once open can last up to 8 hours. With hand warmers, you hold them in your hands and they give off heat. Perfect if you are working outdoors or just being outside for a long time in the cold weather.

Insulate your home.

When at home making sure that your home is insulated by closing the doors and curtains and when the sunshine is out to open curtains to let the sunshine heat warm a room up. Seal gaps that let the cold air in it

Bath/shower.

If you are cold in your home try taking a hot bath or shower to warm your skin up and then get into some cosy pajamas.

Air.

Seal gaps that let cold air into the room with draft excluders or weatherstrip around the windows.

Cheers for reading X 


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My Sunday Photo 07/11/2021



RachelSwirl

What to write in christmas cards.

Hey readers,

It can be hard to think of things to write on Christmas cards to friends and family. So I have a selection of texts that you can use and I have picked a mixture of different categories, enjoy!


General Message.

* Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! May you be surrounded by all the things that bring Christmas cheer.

* Hoping you can feel love, joy, and peace this Christmas season.

* Keep Christmas a time of celebration and love. Don't let Christmas become a chore. Don't let Christmas bring strife to your home.

* Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and happy holidays.

* Have a lovely Christmas and a fantastic new year!

* Happy Christmas! Merry wishes and Santa kisses!

* "We hope Father Christmas brings you all you’ve asked for!"

* "Tis the season! Wishing you peace, joy, and love!"

* "Have a magical holiday!"

* We want to send our warm wishes to let you know we are thinking of you this Christmas.

Quotes.

* Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas . . . perhaps . . .means a little bit more!’ Dr. Seuss.

* One can never have enough socks. Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn’t get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books. from Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling.

* Christmas is not a date. It is a state of mind. Mary Ellen Chase. One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly. Andy Rooney.

* I wish we could put up some of the Christmas spirit in jars and open a jar of it every month. Harlan Miller.

* Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. Norman Vincent Peale.

* I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values. Thomas S. Monson.

* Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. Calvin Coolidge.

* Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas. – Peg Bracken.

Funny and offensive.

* Merry f%#@ing Christmas.

* I think Santa should hire giants instead of elves so that he can have a faster production of gifts.

* Rudolph has a red nose because he is drunk.

* I would say all I want for Christmas is YOU, But I really would love a new credit card as well!

* Christmas (noun) - The only time of year in which one can sit in front of a dead tree and eat candy out of socks.

* Merry kiss my ass!

* If you rustle my Brussels and pull my cracker, i'll jingle your jangles and stuff your turkey.

* When I think about you I touch my elf.

* It's beginning to feel like a lot like...fuck this!

* I tried to think of the perfect thing to write on your card. Then I realized that I'll never reach perfection, so I'll just be honest. I've got nothing.

Cheers for reading X
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