Klutz the Kind Elf

He's baaaack!!

Meet Klutz, our Kind Elf.  A few years ago in response to the Elf on the Shelf craze (and a bit of a personal rebellion honestly), I started a family tradition with a little elf that we received at a Christmas party while living in Toronto.  His name, Klutz, was already given and I just adored his cute little face and slightly menacing smile.  

At the time, Elf on the Shelf was all the rage and while I thought parts of the concept was cute, I couldn't stand the idea of using it as a tool to facilitate "nice" behavior for the purposes of getting presents.  It is so counter to both my husband and my feelings on what Christmas is about, most especially because neither one of us identify with the religious aspect of it.  For us it is about spending these final few weeks of the year reflecting on what matters most to us and putting into action the kindness that we ourselves have received all year long.  Even in our toughest years, this one included, we can see how kind life and the people in our lives have been to us.  Our biggest struggles and hardships have come with very little suffering for so many reasons; our privilege, our families, our communities and our mindset.  Therefore, this is the perfect time of year to try and pay forward some of the good fortune forward, not necessarily monetarily, but in the action of kindness and caring.

So, the very next year after we welcomed Klutz into our family, I decided to adapt the idea of an elf that shows up in a different spot each morning and put more purpose and  meaning behind his presence.  He still moves all around our home starting the day after Thanksgiving until Christmas Even, but each morning he shows up with a little note and action for Audrey to participate in that spreads kindness and love.  Yes, it's a bit of work and effort on our part, and I have definitely woken up early some mornings with the panicked thought "I forgot to move Klutz!!!".   But I am more than happy to make that sacrifice if it will help to instill in our daughter a tangible and actionble meaning behind this season we call Christmas.  

This year, I am going a bit of an extra mile and typing our each little letter, so now I am definitely adding a bit more to my plate.  There have been several hand scrolled notes in the past, but I thought this year I would put in a little more time to print out each note on some cute stationary.  This serves too as a way for Audrey to not detect mine or Justin's handwriting, as she is now to the age where she could.  I know that not everyone believes in upholding these make believe characters around this time, but it is important to us that we continue to foster her wonderful and wild imagination and belief in the magic of the season.  For me, it is really laying a foundation for her to believe in her own magic, not matter what time of year it is.  

So, what I will try and do each day on here, is post the "Daily Klutz".  This way, should any of you parents wish to do your own version of this kind little elf, you may happily "steal" from me!! Though it's truly not stealing and I am more than happy to share and spread this task. I am also positive that I am not the first and only to come up with this idea so the more kindness that gets put out into the world, the better!

This first note, was rather personal.  It is no secret that we have all had quite a year and I wanted to acknowledge all that Audrey has been through and how proud we are of her.