The last couple of years I’ve been hearing about this magic “elf on the shelf” that’s been popping up in people’s houses around the holidays. Supposedly you’ll spot the elf in different spots in your house each day, because it’s been somewhere else at night. Where does he go? They say the elf goes to the North Pole, to report on your behavior to Santa. And when he comes home, you can’t touch him, or his magic goes poof! Sounds like fun, right?
Well, I thought about getting a magic elf to put on shelves .. and other places … but something has stopped me. Is it the slightly crazed look on the elf’s face? Is it the fact that I really don’t much like shopping, so I’ve never actually come across one in a store? Or is it the idea of a magic elf reporting on our misdeeds to Santa that bugs me? I think all of this combined has stopped me. But, I’ll admit, the idea is fun! And my son loves counting down to Christmas. So I’m starting a new tradition … Mickey on the Mantle!
Mickey is a playful sort, as we all know, and he loves Christmas. This little Mickey of mine has been around our house since before Alexander was born, so we know him well. So we’re beginning a new tradition. Mickey is magical, of course, and he goes back to Disney every night to gather more pixie dust for our holidays at home. He comes back with souvenirs for us and random acts of pixie dust for others, spreading the holiday cheer.
Here is Mickey’s first appearance, on our mantle, with a little bit of pyrite on a tiny anvil. Alexander loves loves loves rocks and gems, and this is a pixie-dusted gift for Alexander to find! I suggested that perhaps Mickey found it in the mine on Tom Sawyer Island at the Magic Kingdom.
I wonder what else Mickey will bring, and where he’ll hang out at our house! We shall see.
If anyone has ideas, I could certainly pass them on to Mickey!
Love it! I would be more trusting of the mouse than that elf.
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks the elf looks a little creepy. Love the idea of Mickey on the Mantle.
Love this idea!
As a lover of all things Disney I think it is an excellent idea!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea! We do Elf on the Shelf (and yes, I think she is totally creepy! But she helps to keep our little girl on her best behavior) but now, I might need to add Mickey, or Minnie! One more thing to add to our already busy season – Hanukkah, Christmas, and her birthday on New Years eve!!!
How about him bringing home a jewel from Pirates or a bit of pixie dust from the fairies in Pixie Hollow? Or for the last night – maybe a new Disney themed ornament for the tree? This could be WAY too much fun!
Why not have each member of the family select their favorite Disney character as “their” “Mickey” on the Mantle. Each member of the family could think of things to do for each other to spread goodwill among the family during this season when so often the children, especially, are interested in “getting”.
Each time they did something for another member of the family – their special character would be at the location of their act of kindness! The characters would be appearing all over the house.
Mom would be tickled to have everyone competing on how much they could do for each other without having to be told. Mom and Dad, I’m sure, would have plenty of suggestions for things each child might want to do to show a kindness to them or a sibling.
When we go to Disney, we design our shirts with a character with which we identify: Winnie the Pooh & Friends; Toy Story characters; Mickey & Friends, etc. Every year could be a different set for that year’s “Elves on the Shelf”