Elfland – The Lost Wish!

Christmas is a time for traditions old, and new and while it’s lovely to embrace all of the magic, realistically we do have to pick a few which work for us and stick to them because choosing everything can be a little overwhelming. We do have elves who come to stay every December and I’m so pleased that we chose to do that (although they are not elves that anyone else has as ours cannot be bought, they are real!) but I have friends who have dearly regretting the introduction because the pressure to keep it up, keep it going and wow the children has felt like it’s been a little too intense. I get that and on top of everything else we are expected to do as parents like visit Santa, leave out mince pies, make sure FC can visit for a stocking deposit, go to a Christmas show, prepare a massive feast, go to the panto…

Oh the list is quite endless it can feel, it can be limitless in fact, and as a Mum who has tried to always do all the things I’m wondering this year if a scale back might be just the ticket instead. I’m not saying we will abandon all of the things that we do (I can’t wait for the elves and the theatre) but having something of a December which is a little less fast paced might be good for all of us. A slow Christmas!

One new thing I have discovered which is a lovely addition but in keeping with a slower festive period is the introduction of Elfland’s new book The Lost Wish run by author and business owner Claire Anderson. Claire is the founder of Shared Beauty Secrets abd Sensory Retreats as well as ElflandUK, which incorporates her love of self care, wellbeing and kindness as well as the story of the book delivering positive messages and encouraging resilience with positive affirmations. She has 30 years experience of working in the spa and wellness industry and is passionate about that side to her business, wanting to bring it to her book also. There are a range of products to go with The Lost Wish which encourage children to relax and calm their busy minds and this is so in keeping with the type of Christmas season I would like for my family.

Children are invited to the world of Elfland through the story book and once transported there by their imaginations and the magic of their Elf Eyes (self heating eye masks) they can visit this out of reach land where pixies thrive and dragons fly all while friendly elves work hard to ensure children’s wishes come true. The Lost Wish is about the story of one such adventure which unlike most runs into a bit of trouble when ten-year old Siena, her best friend Gabi and dog Buddy arrive in the middle of an Elf emergency! Suddenly they find themselves to be elves too, with new names of Noelle and Eve and it is their job to save the day by fining the guardian elf of the star wish because Elfland’s magic is waning and thousands of children’s wishes are at risk of not coming true!

This is a fantasy adventure which has been written to mirror familiar tales and fables but with new characters and the events, are ultimately to teach children the importance of wellbeing, courage, compassion and self-belief! It’s a save the day book of fun and frolics with a decent message and a Christmas edge brought to us by Claire, her writing partner Emily Jacobs and other writers, teachers and wellbeing experts – a real collaboration.

It’s a lovely idea to capture the magic of Christmas in a sweet way which the whole family can be involved in – even my 12 year old got in on the eye mask action and has promised to read a little bit of it every night to her youngest brother and sister over the holidays.

A beautiful, engaging and innovative way to encourage children into Christmas magic without making it all about spending money, going out, doing things and being all singing. This is about being present at home and creating a new family tradition of calm bedtimes in the run up to Christmas. I love it!

As well as the book in physical copy you can purchase as a digital download and there are wellbeing products to go with it like the self heating Elf Eyes eye masks which a 50pence donation of profits goes to children’s charity Make A Wish. Florence gives these a massive thumbs up!

Collaboration.