Georgia Judge Bans Elf On The Shelf Before Christmas Season

Talk about a war on Christmas. A Georgia judge is trying to give parents some control back this holiday season by banning the popular Christmas tradition of the Elf on the Shelf. Introduced as a money grab disguised as a timeless holiday tradition in 2005, the fad involves placing a toy elf all over the house. Parents then pretend the elf is spying on their kids and reporting to Santa.

Almost everybody has seen the endless photo sets and social media posts from parents who must continually outdo themselves with creative Elf scenarios. Judge Rob Leonard tweeted out the order along with a note to exhausted elf-keeping parents everywhere.

“Tired of living in Elf on the Shelf tyranny? Not looking forward to the Elf forgetting to move and causing your kids emotional distress? I am a public servant and will take the heat for you. My gift to tired parents. P.S. – If you love your elf, keep your elf. No contempts.”

Judge Leonard says the whole thing is being done in the spirit of sarcastic fun. The order, while signed by a legitimate judge, is not enforceable and will not actually be filed. It should at least provide a laugh to overwhelmed parents. Leonard reassured everybody that it was ok if they still enjoyed their elves.

“I drafted and signed the Order. It was not filed in and it is certainly not enforceable.”

Leonard later clarified his statement that the order was just a gag. He posed at his bench with his own Elf named Elfis. A Twitter user responded with a photo of some chicken bones laid out like the elf, complete with Santa hat reflected the general public frustration with the annoying trend.

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