Gremlins on the Shelf

Stores are always too quick to set Christmas stuff out before Halloween has come and gone. Now that December is officially on the way, don’t us horror fans feel a certain kind of bitterness? Personally, I’m the kind of girl who likes the October vibe to last all year. But we still don’t want to miss out on all the winter festivities, you know?

Photo taekn from Michelle Muto’s blog

There is a Christmas tradition that consists of a small creature let loose in the house, the kind that kids jump out of bed in the morning to see the mischief it got up to. It also comes with three rules: don’t touch it, be kind—it can hear everything and report it back to Santa, and it must go home to the North Pole when Christmas is over.

Ah yes, Elf on the Shelf. I’m sure you must have heard of it.

But I am a fan of another type of mischievous, Christmas-y sort of creature. They’re the kind that also come with three rules: don’t get them wet, never put them in sunlight, and never, ever feed them after midnight.

They have their way of getting kids and adults alike out of bed in the morning. (Like when they set your Christmas tree on fire or kidnap the nice man who plays Santa Claus at the local toy drive.)

Gremlins movie screenshot

You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? So goodbye, Jingleheimer (it’s what we named the elf) and hello, Gremlin! Together we have come up with a very merry (and disastrous!) list of things to do for the holidays inspired by the 1984 Gremlins movie.

We like to start our holidays off by watching some of our favourite horror/holiday movies including A Christmas Carol, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and of course…Snow White? Oh, because “snow?” I mean, I guess we can add that to the list…but it wasn’t me who said it.

Author’s photo. Gremlins will destroy houses of all kinds

Gremlins cannot hold back their craving for sugar (and destruction!) for long, so as soon as Mrs. Peltzer is done with the Christmas cookies, or when my little sister is finished building her gingerbread house, it’s time to chow down!

Gremlins like to help out, too—about as much as the cat does when putting up Christmas lights (especially if it involves tormenting the dog.) They are also known for creating the most immaculate light displays, the type of displays the whole town will be able to see when the neighbour’s house goes up in flames. At least it will keep us all toasty and warm!

Gremlins movie screenshot

Christmas carolling might seem a little old fashioned these days, but gremlins take great pride in their singing voices and spreading either cheer or death to the biggest neighbourhood humbugs.

(So goodbye, Mrs. Deagle!)

Elf on the shelf? he’s Dead! Photo taken from The U.S. Sun

So if you were thinking about witnessing some fun Christmas mischief this year and your Elf on the Shelf has tragically disappeared in a cloud of its magic North Pole stuffing…celebrate this holiday season like a pro and replace the elf with the gremlin as the family Christmas tradition!


Teagan kept on hearing she would have to write some blog posts for college. That joke about writing about horror gave her real fits…then she realized they were serious. At least she’s seen plenty of slasher movies and has her dark sense of humour to work in her favour.

You have just heard from her with her funny little games. They say she’s a writer now. Ha ha.