Mom 'Retires' Elf on the Shelf With Funny Letter From the North Pole

One Illinois mom retired her family’s Elf on the Shelf with a hilarious letter.

The elf is supposed to act as Santa Claus’ eyes and ears and is designed to be hidden in creative spots each day.

Christy Heins, however, took to Facebook to say she’d grown tired of the work to hide the elf each day and came up with a funny way to end her having to do so - elf retirement. 

“I know that some people truly enjoy setting up elaborate scenes with their elf, but for me, cleaning up after 3 children and a dog is enough,” Heins explained in her post. “I forgot to move him more times than I can even count, and I cut it close a few times trying to sneakily move him after the kids were already awake.”

On Dec. 3, Heins posted to Facebook to showcase a letter she wrote to her two young daughters letting them know that their elf, George, was retiring

The note was printed on a “From the Desk of Santa Claus” letterhead, and was Heins’ way of  “keeping the Christmas magic alive” for her kids.

The letter included George’s “wish” to be a real toy in their house that didn’t have to go back and forth to the North Pole to report to Santa.

“A few years ago, I had a great idea and wanted to try using scout elves to help me decide who is on the Nice List and who is on the Naughty List each year. George Elf and all the other scout elves have been a big help! Some scout elves LOVE their jobs and want to keep flying back and forth each night. But just like people, each elf is different. George Elf wanted more than anything to be played with like a real toy,” the letter read. 

Heins said she has nothing against the tradition but having the elf as a regular toy was easier for the family.

“I hope I’ve found a way (kind of a cheater way) to sort of keep it going, but take a little pressure off at the same time. I hope the girls will be as excited as I am!” Heins wrote. 

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