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Lindsay Arnold Cusick managed to put together a simple yet funny holiday arrangement with the Elf on the Shelf, which was named Buddy. The baby was having a roll of toilet paper, and now it was climbing down the stairs; the situation was reported to be the favorite of her girls. To add even more sweetness, the video, which was set to the tune of ‘Here Comes Santa Claus,’ has already resurrected the merry ambiance that is the hallmark of many homes during the holiday season.
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Once more, it is the time of year when the children receive their little scout elves back home, and the parents have to think out of the box for creative and sometimes very last-minute ideas to entertain the children and keep them busy. However, this time, it was Lindsay Arnold Cusick who made it look so easy to tp and staircase. In a very short video, the elf was seen at the top of a staircase, between the banister and the steps, having unrolled the toilet paper down the stairs, and there was a white slide. The video that accompanies it shows Cusick herself, quietly explaining the concept with some dance moves, singing along to the Christmas classic. The caption was very clear: ‘Easy but the girls loved it.’
The concept is part of the ‘Elf on the Shelf’ custom, where the elf gets into mischief every night and then children are supposed to find out. Cusick’s version was simple but effective. The video transcript confirms her whispering instructions, trying not to wake the kids, which adds a layer of authenticity, behind-the-scenes mom energy to the whole production. It is the kind of content that is relatable and cuts through the often-curated holiday perfection.
Her followers’ response was immediate and marked by the sense of togetherness that the parenting community in December generally shares. One user described the elf, Buddy, as a ‘wild elf,’ while another one admitted that she was ‘obsessed’ with these ideas but is waiting till her two-year-old is more interested. Some nostalgia was shared, with one person commenting that it reminded him/her/them of stuffed animals going down the stair on mattresses and landing in piles of pillows as a child. ‘So fun to be reminded of those fun little moments,’ they added.
Of course, not practicality was overlooked. While the laughing and love emojis were flying around, one commenter shared thecommon concern every parent has, saying, ‘I hope you roll that back up and use it. Stuff’s expensive.’ It is a realistic note on holiday magic that many parents acknowledge through agreeing nods. Another user jokingly suggested that Buddy should have had an empty cocktail glass in hand while riding down, referring to the tired parent humor that often accompanies the daily elf duties and highlighting the need for a little fun in all these magical moments.
Some comments were about the future of the tradition. One user suggested an ingenious trick to keeping the elf’s secret: ‘As you start making the handwriting sloppy, slowly start writing some letters backwards!’ to which another user replied, saying that kids will catch on to an adult’s penmanship. It can be the wondrous, long-game performance art that parenting can become by December.
Even though most of the reactions were positive and engaging, the tradition is not for everyone. A single, dissenting opinion said, ‘Your adorable but what is your obsession with this dumbass Elf??’ It is important to note that the Elf on the Shelf phenomenon, while huge, has a somewhat peculiar position in contemporary holiday culture—many people love it, they are perplexed by it, some others.
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However, for Lindsay Arnold Cusick and her family, the simple toilet paper slide was a winner. It was a moment that amazed and made her daughters so happy: the essence of the tradition, low-effort yet high-impact. The ability to surprise them with joy—this was just about the easiest way! In the grand scheme of holiday preparations, sometimes the best ideas are the ones that require just a roll of TP and a little imagination. The shared giggles and tips in the comments section testify that these tiny, communal rituals are what the season connects, one goofy elf pose at a time. Her husband, Sam Cusick, also appreciates these family moments. The family recently enjoyed a family dinner at IHOP that sparked nostalgia. Fans also followed her 10k running experience and her emotional pregnancy test reaction.