Long before the Official “Elf on the Shelf” was marketed (and got a bit out of control – but dang! Why didn’t I think to market it!?!), our family had an heirloom elf who came to visit during the magical month of December.
Sammy (we knew his name because it was written on his shirt) came to visit and watch over our boys to assure they were being good and deserving of Christmas gifts from Santa. He would move around the house every night, and the boys had so much fun waking up each morning trying to find him and see what he might have been up to the night before.
Sammy always left with Santa on his sleigh after Santa brought the boys’ gifts on Christmas eve, and he didn’t return until the following December 1st.
One important thing about Sammy was that he could not be touched by human hands – never – ever – or he would lose his “magic.” The boys never dared touch him. (He came with a note from Santa the first year telling us so.)
Though our Christmas tree has become a smaller, themed, and artificial version of the live cut trees of years past loaded with sentimental and handmade ornaments, the one thing I still put on our tree is Sammy.
Our boys still often reminisce when they see him, laughing at how they believed so strongly in him and his magic – yet still almost afraid to touch him…
Sammy is an heirloom Christmas “decoration” that was my Grandma’s, so I especially cherish him. She had what seemed like dozens of these tiny toy elves all over her home doing silly things at Christmas. She was such a character and had a great sense of humor, so her elves would be hanging from curtain rods and peeking over picture frames and sitting cross armed and legged in the strangest of places.
And then, it seemed for many years, these elves were impossible to find (especially when friends’ kids wanted an elf like Sammy!) – until “Elf on a Shelf” became the rage.
Our sweet Sammy is worn and thread-bare in many places, but he will always have a place of honor on our tree and in our home in December.
He reminds me of the magic of the season.
The magic of Christmas.
The magic of children and believing.
The magic of family memories –
my children and my own childhood.
It is indeed
the season of Magic!
Happy December!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
WordPress Daily Post Weekly Photo Challenge: It’s Not this Time of Year Without
Jodi, this is so heart warming and beautiful! ❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Mary! Sweet memories. ☺️
LikeLike
Lovely tale about the celebration of Christmas Jodi, I like it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Arlene. Happy memories ☺️
LikeLike
Thanks for the morning warmth, Jodi. (K)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awh! Thank YOU Kerfe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awh!!! Love your story and Sammy is so cute! You made my heart smile! Have a wonderful 1st of December!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks C! You make my heart smile 😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful post Jodi.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Sylvia!
LikeLike
As one of “the boys”, I can confirm that after a couple decades of Sammy, my inner monologue still tells me not to touch him.
LikeLiked by 2 people
😉❤️
LikeLike
This is such a sweet, wonderful story! I had never heard of “elves on shelves” until all the rage so you were fortunate to have had the experience with your children while they were so young. (I have a Christmas story that I should post about. It’s heart touching and funny). I love this story, Jodi!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much PJ! i hope you post your story – I will look forward to it!
LikeLike
It’s probably a story you have heard before but I have fun telling it again and again. LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A sweet sentiment, and precious memories…but elves rank up their with gnomes and clowns to me…they freak me out a bit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL! I’ve never heard of anyone being freaked out by an elf. 🙂 I kinda see where you are coming from though. How about Herbie though on Rudolph? What a sweetie ❤
LikeLike
Yea, but Herbie was a misfit, very un-elflike. You have to love Herbie!
LikeLiked by 1 person
ok – you got me there!!! 🙂
LikeLike
What precious family memories, Jodi! It warms my heart to think of all of the beautiful family memories Grandma Jodi will share with your new little bundle of joy! ♡
LikeLiked by 2 people
awh! Thanks Dawn – I CANNOT wait! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a lovely story Jodi! I love family traditions and this one is priceless! Thanks for sharing
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m so glad you enjoyed. ☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this what a perfect post for the 1st day of December!
LikeLike
What a wonderful family tradition Jodi!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Lynn! ☺️
LikeLike
Happy December Jodi & Sammy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We will be watching some hallmark Christmas movies together! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I will certainly be watching along with you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your grandpa, my dad, always have little elves all over our home, when I was a young girl.My mom continued with the elves when we moved to Monroeville..In fact, I have a couple of those elves…..which are now ancient!!!!!! Xo
Sent from my iPad
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh aunt Gwen. I’m so thrilled to know you have elves too ! Xoxo
LikeLike
What a wonderful treasure and tradition you have.
We have Christmas Bears. They arrive on December 1st and stay until Christmas Eve Day. They leave a note letting us they had to go help Santa with the last big push before his flight on Christmas, but they always return on Christmas morning.
My kids love it, and now #1 Grandson is growing up with this tradition. How wonderful that you are going to be passing this wonderful Christmas tradition on to your Grand-daughter.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awh! I love that you have Christmas Bears!!!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that you still have your sweet Sammy the Elf. What amazing memories for you and the entire family!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It truly is 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow Jodi, you guys had the original elf on the shelf! I didn’t know about it when my kids were young so I’ve been having a ball watching and helping my son do it for his boys. My daughter refuses to start the tradition, she says her life is complicated enough without adding that! Haha! The elf does have magic powers though, it’s amazing how the children don’t dare touch him!
Jenna
LikeLiked by 2 people
lol! It is fun – but I do think the parents today are making it a bit competitive and complicated – LOL! I didn’t have the “competition” at the time 🙂
LikeLike
Such a magic time and memories! Beautiful post Jody! ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Carolina!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Enjoyed your post today, Jodi! ✨😍 I could use some Christmas magic after today’s work day… thank you for sharing Sammy and the wonderful memories he brought to your family. 💜💕 😇
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awh! Sorry you had a rough day 😔. Hope you are having a relaxing evening.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jodi! 😊 Did a little art so feel better…🎨💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a heart-warming post! Family treasures are so special, especially at Christmas where they come with so many good memories of past holidays. And I love that you and your family did the whole “Elf on the Shelf” thing way before it became popular. You should get credit for that idea, if you ask me!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much Ann!!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is so lovely to read. Christmas is magical for so many reasons. I always believed it when my dad rang Father Christmas to inform him of our behaviour!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Awh! What country are you from MrsCraft?
LikeLiked by 1 person
The UK. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice to “meet” you !
LikeLiked by 1 person
You too 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person