A mum was horrified to see her cat had joined in on her nightly Elf on the Shelf antics by taking things a little too seriously.
Sophia Williams had taken the Elves into the bathroom for the night and set them up to appear like they'd written on the walls in Elf-poop, reported Plymouth Live.
She had written "poo, yuck" in chocolate, before her cat Amber had chosen to take the sign quite literally and used the bath tub below as her Christmas litter tray.
Posting to her friends on Facebook, Sophia, aged 33, said she "didn't see" the poo at first but her daughter Hollie spotted it.
Hollie, aged nine, exclaimed: "Mum, there's a real poo in the bath!"
The family, who live in Liskeard, thankfully saw the funny side.
Sophia said: "Coming up with all these ideas is never easy - I have had to Google 'Elf of the Shelf' ideas'.
"I didn’t see [the cat poo] at first, it was Hollie. I go to look thinking she’s referring to Buddy’s (our elf) chocolate antics and realise the cat has taken a dump in the bath tub! She never poos in there!
"The kids found it hilarious, obviously. I'm just glad I didn’t get round to cleaning the bathroom yesterday."
Elf on the Shelf ideas to inspire you this Christmas
1. Create an ‘elf reporting station’
So, the story goes that as one of Santa’s helpers, the elf reports to the North Pole each night whether the children have been naughty or nice. Take it one step further and make it official by creating a mini reporting station - get the kids to fill in their report cards to send to the elf and pass on to Santa himself!
2. Show off his mischievous side
Jess comments: “We absolutely love some of the cheeky, mischievous setups people have created on Instagram. Inject some fun into those mundane tasks, like flossing teeth by tangling up the elf. Or, blow up a balloon around him and challenge the kids to get him out - with a bang!”
3. Host an Elf Bubble Bath
We all need some downtime, especially at this time of year as the nights draw in and we’re feeling burnt out, and the elf is no exception. Fill your sink with either white balloons, cotton wool or even marshmallows so your elf on the shelf can treat himself to a relaxing bubble bath.
4. Send him to ‘Elf isolation’
Elf can’t expect to enjoy all the fun this Christmas, without enduring some time in isolation - as we all have. Make it a fun setup the kids will love, by labelling it ‘elf isolation’.
5. I’m an elf, get me out of here!
The fun in the castle may have just finished, but the elf edition has just begun. Stock up on some jelly worms and send the elf in for a bushtucker trial...
6. Give him some elf pals
All work and no play is no fun, even for an elf!
Jess comments: “A drive-in cinema is a super cute idea, stick on some Christmas classics for your kids to enjoy along with the elf (or elves) and load up on festive snacks.
7. Turn your washing machine into a rollercoaster
These cheeky thrill-seekers love a loop-the-loop, and this rollercoaster has it all - varying temperatures and speeds, water coming from every direction…
8. Hiding in a jar of biscuits
The naughty elf fancied a cheeky snack and got stuck in a jar of biscuits. Let's hope your kids can find him in the morning.
9. Climbing a wall
A classic, elf on the shelf scaling up a wall. It works even better if you have an exposed wall, or a cobbled fireplace for a more realistic look.
10. Redecorates the Christmas tree
Sit the naughty Elf somewhere near the top of the tree, and wrap some toilet paper around the tree like it's tinsel. Vandal elf.
11. Held hostage
Find some black tape, and secure your elf onto the wall. You can place him high or low but make sure it's easy for your children to help him escape.
12. Trap yours inside the TV
If you have a smart TV, go to the YouTube app and type "Elf stuck in TV".
The video will show the Elf seemingly stuck behind the screen with the caption: "I hit the wrong button on the remote... How do I get out of here?"
