An Oxfordshire woman has invented a 'kinder alternative' to a popular pre-Christmas family ritual.
Clare Anderson, a Chipping Norton beauty entrepreneur and author, says her new Buddy's Hide and Sleep game is a new game to rival the Elf on the Shelf.
The activity, which children and adults play together before bedtime each night in December, involves answering a series of clues to find Buddy the puppy.
READ MORE: Tributes to teenager who died after Oxford hospital neglect
Elf on the Shelf began in the United States in 2005 with the publication of the book The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition and over 22.5m toy elves have since been sold.
But Ms Anderson has created an alternative to the global phenomenon.
Ms Anderson said: "Buddy's Hide and Sleep is a new wellness-led way for families to get excited together about Christmas, whilst also developing healthy sleep behaviours, like wind down time and a regular bedtime story.
"Whilst some elves are naughty, which can be upsetting for sensitive children, Buddy's behaviour is always gentle and kind."
She added that she had been a big fan of Elf on the Shelf when her daughter was younger despite finding the ritual challenging and "an extra pressure at the end of each day as a working mum".
"As my daughter got a bit older, staying up later than her to position the elf somewhere different each evening proved extremely difficult as I do like my early bedtimes." she said.
'Buddy's Hide and Sleep' is available as part of the 'Buddy's Christmas Treat box' online.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here