Meet the real life ‘Elf on the Shelf’ who dresses up as Santa’s little helper and creates mischief in a series of videos which have had thousands of views.
The traditional craze sees parents pose a naughty toy elf in various positions around their home every night to trick children into thinking Father Christmas is watching.
But mum-of-two Christina Hutson, 50, has taken it a step further and has been dressing up as an elf herself.
Her husband Jason, 46, films himself catching her in the act – being naughty and causing havoc – and she posts the funny videos on Facebook for others to see.
Christina can be seen scoffing mince pies while hiding in the fridge, making snow angels in flour, and even cleaning the toilet with her husband’s toothbrush.
The mum-of-two was also caught stealing sweets off the tree, unrolling the loo roll and turning the tree upside down.
Thousands of people watched the videos which she started filming Christmas 2019 and she has continued making them this year.
Christina told the festive episode of the Real Fix Podcast – which features real people telling extraordinary stories – about some of her other cheeky antics.
Christina, who is step-gran to Anaya, two, said: “The first one I was caught under the tree scoffing all the chocolate from the tree.
“In another I got my husband’s toothbrush and cleaned the toilet with it.
“In one video we gaffer taped the Christmas tree upside down on the ceiling.
“Everyone thinks that we are absolutely barmy but honestly it’s so hilarious.”
The couple from North Marston, Buckinghamshire, started sharing one video on Facebook every day since mid-December, and plan to continue until Christmas Eve.
Christina said: “My husband always catches me in the act every time. I could never get away with anything.”
The ‘Elf on the Shelf’ craze started in 2005 as a children’s book which tells the story of how Santa sends a scout elf to check whether children are being naughty or nice.
Christina told Real Fix: “We have so much fun doing it.
“I uploaded them on Facebook and within a few hours I had loads of messages saying it made their Christmas.
“It’s certainly been well received on social media but there’s quite a lot of people calling me a mad woman.
“But it certainly leaves them in hysterics whilst watching me make a fool of myself around the house.
“The videos are really popular and that’s why we carried them on this year.”
Christine’s step-daughter Leila Hutson, 25, a hairdresser from Chinnor, Oxfordshire, said: “When I first saw it on Facebook it was generally the funniest Christmas-sy thing I’ve seen all year.
“They are crazy grandparents to my two-year-old.”
Daughter Sophie Chamberlain, 23, from North Marston, said: “My parents are very creative and often do projects like this for the community’s enjoyment, so I’m glad their efforts are being appreciated.”
Daughter Laura Chamberlain, 25, an estate agent from Southampton, said: “When I saw the videos I really wasn’t surprised.
“It’s totally typical of my mischievous parents!”
Christina spoke to the team at the Real Fix podcast – which features real life people telling their own extraordinary stories in their own words.
*Listen to the Real Fix podcast here https://www.real-fix.com/real-fix-podcast/ or subscribe using the appropriate podcast platform here https://plnk.to/realfix
