If Santa brings the presents, why do we have to buy them?
I started thinking that way whenI was about 10, didn’t tell my parents though, why spoil their fun?
My nephews that we affectionately refer to as “The Naughtys” were misbehaving at Christmas time several years ago and my Sister-in-Law decided that she was going to scare them into being good. She purchased this little elf that she would put up on a shelf in the house and whenever the boys were misbehaving she would point to the elf and tell them that he would report back to Santa on their behavior. She even went so far as to take him off the shelf and hide him for a day or two, explaining to the boys that he must be back at the North Pole, reporting to Santa.
When she explained to us what she was doing I chuckled and commented for the rest of the adults that I didn’t realize that Santa had resorted to “Police State Elves” to handle his dirty work. She didn’t find that near as funny as the rest of us.
I prefer to nudge my kids towards being good with togetherness and stories and good food. Rather then threatening to withhold gifts. And my kids are pretty good.
Good thing though since it’s our two cats that bustle around the Christmas tree tearing at packages and breaking ornaments :)
howtheduck, I don’t think Elly is ever actually leaning back, even if the drawings make it appear that way. I think in panels 1 and 3 we are seeing her from the perspective of the children, who obviously have to look up in order to see her face.
When you’re a little kid adults seem so tall so Elly seems really big to them. But she lacks imagination. I love your story Kevin. Your sister in law is brilliant to come up with the elf. Now if only there was a way to get them to be good all year. As for cats, somehow telling them Santa Paws won’t bring them anything doesn’t seem to impress them much.
If,
Unfortunately, the Naughtys are still up to their old tricks and have learned a few new ones as they’ve grown older (8 and 6). I don’t know if JackBoot Narc Elf is still employed because my Sister-in-Law filed for divorce right after Christmas (I don’t think due to my comment) and she now keeps her own home.
Honestly, though, the Naughtys are healthy normal boys with a considerable amount of pent up energy that finds it’s way into the open in sometimes inappropriate ways. All kids are like that and need gentle coaching and help expending that energy in socially acceptable ways. Christmases (plural) should be remembered as times of love, joy and anticipation. Not as times of fear and looking over your shoulder to see who is watching.
As for my sister-in-law, who I know meant the best for her boys, seems to be moving on with her life and is learning sadly too late that the source of her unhappiness was primarily from within. I hope the best for her.
Michael, be careful what you do or you will be becoming a naughty. Santa will have the record after he sees you what you do. Obviously, you did sneak into the hidden place, tore the wrapping and peeked at the present that was coffee maker. You naughty! Tsk!
We’ve never given gifts to our kids from “Santa” - although their aunt gave them something labeled that way. My kids just sort of rolled their eyes, but were nice about it. Of course, we’ve tried to keep more of the focus on Jesus’ birth than the materialistic side, but not to the point of not giving gifts at all - just not really expensive gifts.
I believe in training kids year round, not just at Christmas with bribery. I know better than to think my kids are perfect, but they’ve turned out pretty good so far - 20 & 17 years.
About 4 or 5 years ago, we had a pretty good snowfall a few days before Christmas. While my husband and I were out shoveling the driveway, our dog pushed aside several wrapped gifts and knocked over our 30” tall mechanical Santa in order to reach her gift bag, which was located IN BACK OF the Christmas tree, and had 2 of her 3 new toys OUT (of the bag) and was playing with them when we came inside for a break and caught her! We laughed and laughed at how smart she was to sniff out that particular bag and at the ingenuity she showed getting to it (because I thought I had it pretty well out of her reach!) but we no longer put her gift bag under (or even behind) the tree until Christmas morning and even then … only when we’re ready to open them!!!!!!!!!!
For cats, we just tied the tree to a hook in the ceiling when they were kittens – the cats have boinked out of the middle of the tree numerous times, but we haven’t lost an ornament because of them yet. We do have some neat pictures and have had lots of laughs tho.
OpenWings almost 15 years ago
…..well THAT got his attention! xD
yyyguy almost 15 years ago
and he has access to sattelite surveillance technology!
pearlandpeach almost 15 years ago
all right, I give up….OpenWings, whats the xD? what you drive?
lightenup Premium Member almost 15 years ago
In the second panel, Michael is probably thinking “Can I pin this on Lizzie and get away with it?”
It doesn’t look like Elly is leaning back or forward. It’s all a matter of perspective.
WORDMAN33 almost 15 years ago
If Santa brings the presents, why do we have to buy them? I started thinking that way whenI was about 10, didn’t tell my parents though, why spoil their fun?
Mephistopheles almost 15 years ago
My nephews that we affectionately refer to as “The Naughtys” were misbehaving at Christmas time several years ago and my Sister-in-Law decided that she was going to scare them into being good. She purchased this little elf that she would put up on a shelf in the house and whenever the boys were misbehaving she would point to the elf and tell them that he would report back to Santa on their behavior. She even went so far as to take him off the shelf and hide him for a day or two, explaining to the boys that he must be back at the North Pole, reporting to Santa.
When she explained to us what she was doing I chuckled and commented for the rest of the adults that I didn’t realize that Santa had resorted to “Police State Elves” to handle his dirty work. She didn’t find that near as funny as the rest of us.
I prefer to nudge my kids towards being good with togetherness and stories and good food. Rather then threatening to withhold gifts. And my kids are pretty good.
Good thing though since it’s our two cats that bustle around the Christmas tree tearing at packages and breaking ornaments :)
csscougar almost 15 years ago
howtheduck, I don’t think Elly is ever actually leaning back, even if the drawings make it appear that way. I think in panels 1 and 3 we are seeing her from the perspective of the children, who obviously have to look up in order to see her face.
Plods with ...™ almost 15 years ago
pearlandpeach - xD
I think its a hearty laugh with your eyes closed
alondra almost 15 years ago
When you’re a little kid adults seem so tall so Elly seems really big to them. But she lacks imagination. I love your story Kevin. Your sister in law is brilliant to come up with the elf. Now if only there was a way to get them to be good all year. As for cats, somehow telling them Santa Paws won’t bring them anything doesn’t seem to impress them much.
L.E.May almost 15 years ago
Good for you Kevin. You can’t “scare” kids into being good. Now cats are a different matter…..LOL!
bald almost 15 years ago
i guess i’m not going to get anything this year again then
lfanterickson almost 15 years ago
Kevin, how are “The Naughtys” doing this year? Was it a temporary fix, or did it transfer to the next few Christmas seasons?
Mephistopheles almost 15 years ago
If, Unfortunately, the Naughtys are still up to their old tricks and have learned a few new ones as they’ve grown older (8 and 6). I don’t know if JackBoot Narc Elf is still employed because my Sister-in-Law filed for divorce right after Christmas (I don’t think due to my comment) and she now keeps her own home.
Honestly, though, the Naughtys are healthy normal boys with a considerable amount of pent up energy that finds it’s way into the open in sometimes inappropriate ways. All kids are like that and need gentle coaching and help expending that energy in socially acceptable ways. Christmases (plural) should be remembered as times of love, joy and anticipation. Not as times of fear and looking over your shoulder to see who is watching. As for my sister-in-law, who I know meant the best for her boys, seems to be moving on with her life and is learning sadly too late that the source of her unhappiness was primarily from within. I hope the best for her.mroberts88 almost 15 years ago
Burgundy, sounds like your having fun.
Wildmustang1262 almost 15 years ago
Michael, be careful what you do or you will be becoming a naughty. Santa will have the record after he sees you what you do. Obviously, you did sneak into the hidden place, tore the wrapping and peeked at the present that was coffee maker. You naughty! Tsk!
Smiley Rmom almost 15 years ago
We’ve never given gifts to our kids from “Santa” - although their aunt gave them something labeled that way. My kids just sort of rolled their eyes, but were nice about it. Of course, we’ve tried to keep more of the focus on Jesus’ birth than the materialistic side, but not to the point of not giving gifts at all - just not really expensive gifts. I believe in training kids year round, not just at Christmas with bribery. I know better than to think my kids are perfect, but they’ve turned out pretty good so far - 20 & 17 years.
Gretchen's Mom almost 15 years ago
About 4 or 5 years ago, we had a pretty good snowfall a few days before Christmas. While my husband and I were out shoveling the driveway, our dog pushed aside several wrapped gifts and knocked over our 30” tall mechanical Santa in order to reach her gift bag, which was located IN BACK OF the Christmas tree, and had 2 of her 3 new toys OUT (of the bag) and was playing with them when we came inside for a break and caught her! We laughed and laughed at how smart she was to sniff out that particular bag and at the ingenuity she showed getting to it (because I thought I had it pretty well out of her reach!) but we no longer put her gift bag under (or even behind) the tree until Christmas morning and even then … only when we’re ready to open them!!!!!!!!!!
lindz.coop Premium Member almost 15 years ago
For cats, we just tied the tree to a hook in the ceiling when they were kittens – the cats have boinked out of the middle of the tree numerous times, but we haven’t lost an ornament because of them yet. We do have some neat pictures and have had lots of laughs tho.