Once upon a time, there was a little boy who couldn’t care less about a mischievous elf or more about dinosaurs. He could name every dinosaur and knew obscure facts about each one. He watched the movie Walking with Dinosaurs continuously and even had a pachyrhinosaurus that he carried around everywhere he went.
This was my child and for children like him, kids who live for dinosaurs, a holiday called Dinovember was started.
This “holiday” began innocuously enough with a couple who just wanted to create some fun for their kids. Since then, this yearly tradition has brought the Jurassic Period into many dino-loving families’ homes.
I began Dinovember in my house when my oldest son was around two and completely enthralled with dinosaurs. When I woke him up to tell him that all the dinosaurs had begun to march out of his room, his eyes got as big as saucers and he scrambled out of bed to see this phenomenon. He sat on the floor beside them, pondering how this happened. It was truly the sweetest thing to witness.
Over the next month, these dinosaurs got into everything. They got into my food, makeup, books, and other toys. It was exhausting keeping up with them but it was amazing to see my son’s face light up. The thing with Dinovember and Elf on the Shelf is that they take dedication and imagination, something that I seriously lack. Around the middle of the month, I get tired of moving dinosaurs around and thinking of new adventures for them. Half the time I forget to create a dino-escapade before falling asleep, only to jump out of bed at 3 a.m. to quickly and tiredly think of something fun for them to do.
I love Dinovember because I am less stressed in November than I am in December.
My December is filled with work commitments, holiday parties, school parties, Christmas cards, present wrapping, shopping, and on and on. Who has time to also have a tiny elf play tricks around the house? Since Dinovember is in November, all you have to worry about is gorging yourself on yummy food.
The Elf on the Shelf, while cute and fun, has also become such an over the top gimmick – there are clothes and props to buy now! Who can afford that when you are trying to buy Christmas presents for every family member and acquaintance you know? Most people with kids have some sort of dinosaur stash, whereas the Elf on the Shelf is around $30, which I think is expensive for a small stuffed elf.
OK, I can admit I also may be a bit grumpy about these extra “fun” things people create for us tired moms to have to add to our busy schedules. But I will also admit that while I may grumble and curse under my breathe while doing these things, seeing my children giggle at their dinosaurs making a mess puts a smile on my face.
If you are bent on doing something like Elf on the Shelf, I suggest trying Dinovember instead!
Save the month of December so that you can enjoy the holiday season a bit more. As it is, I know that I feel stressed the whole month and I forget what the magic of the holiday season is really about.
Enjoy the parties, enjoy the lights, enjoy the carols, and last, and most important, enjoy your time with your family because it really is fleeting.
