If you’ve ever done The Elf on the Shelf, you probably know it’s a cute idea in theory and pure chaos in practice. Personally, I was a terrible elf mom: I never did the elaborate setups, and more than once, my husband and I woke up at 3 a.m. in a cold sweat because we forgot to move the creepy little guy. But I baked a million cookies with my kids, dragged everyone to holiday parades, and stood in line for Santa every year… I just really hated that elf.
Which is why this video feels like cosmic justice, or maybe cat justice. It features a massive, icy gray Maine Coon rolling around the kitchen counter, gleefully chomping on The Elf on the Shelf like it’s the best toy he’s ever encountered. His human mom tries everything, even using tongs to pry it away while reminding him, “We aren’t supposed to touch the elf!” But this cat? This cat said, “Actually… I do.”
The hilarious clip, shared on TikTok via the @fitzeradventures account, has people in the comments cracking up.
“Cutest situation I’ve seen an elf in!” one person said. “Those murder mittens he’s sportin’ are diabolical!” someone else added.
Related: Corgi Literally Jumps for Joy When He Sees Advent Calendar and It’s Total Christmas Vibes
I can’t stop laughing at this video. Especially because of the mom, clearly desperate to salvage some semblance of North Pole magic, approaches with kitchen tongs to avoid “breaking the rules” about human contact. She gently tries to grab the elf. The cat immediately counters with the strength of a woodland troll. He rolls over, holds the elf tighter, and gives her this look like, “Ma’am… try it. I dare you.”
Every time she gets close, he digs in harder, wrapping his entire gigantic Maine Coon body around the elf with the intensity of someone protecting their last chicken nugget on earth. It is dramatic. It is ridiculous. It is perfection. I can see my own big ol’ Maine Coon named Meatball pulling a stunt like this.
And if you’ve ever wondered why kitties become obsessed with random household objects—especially small doll-like ones—here’s the feline logic behind it.
Why Cats Love Stealing Toys and Other Random Things
Cats are natural hunters, and small objects—especially lightweight ones with limbs—perfectly mimic prey movement. The size, texture, and portability of dolls or plush toys trigger a cat’s instinct to pounce, grab, and “kick” with their hind legs. Add holiday excitement, new scents, and an object they rarely see, and the temptation becomes irresistible. For many cats, the more forbidden the item is, the more appealing it becomes.
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Dec 15, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.