By now, if you are a parent, you’re probably aware of the “Elf on the Shelf” tradition. A family adopts one of Santa’s magical elves, who appears at the start of the Christmas season to watch over the children.
The elf reports back to the North Pole each night to tell Santa about the children’s behavior, then returns to a new spot while the children are nestled all snug in their beds.
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In the morning, kids wake in delight to find where the elf is hiding and what shenanigans he or she got up to in the middle of the night.
While I enjoy coming up with new ideas for the silly tricks our elf Jovie plays each year, some parents find the task of moving the elf daunting, and I totally understand that! As a mother, it’s hard enough to balance the usual daily tasks of laundry, packing lunches, and running errands, so adding one more duty during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be frustrating.
This is why I am offering you a simple, 25-day guide to Elf on the Shelf for this Christmas season.
If you find that any of these don’t quite fit your lifestyle or busy schedule, take to Pinterest! There are a million creative and quick ideas saved over there.
In the meantime, remember these tips to make Elf on the Shelf doable this year:
- Be creative: Use what you already have laying around the house.
- Save the more involved tricks for days when you know you’ll have more time.
- Set an “ELF ALARM” on your phone to go off after you put the kids to bed so you don’t forget!
DAY 1 :: Elf Arrives
The elf arrives with a note — a simple yet exciting way to kick off the elf’s stay!
Add personal details about your child’s behavior or what’s on his or her wish list. I also type it and give it a holiday-themed border, which makes it adorable.
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DAY 2 :: Grocery Wish List
Since the elf is going to stay for a while, create a grocery wish list and clip elf’s hat to a magnet next to the list.
Here are some fun things to add to the list: Candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup. Or add things the elf is going to use for its crazy mischief over the next few days, like marshmallows or hot cocoa.
DAY 3 :: Rudolph Noses
Silly elf — she put Rudolph noses on all the photos in the house!
Use red stickers, or a hole punch, red construction paper, and tape to secure the little red noses.
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DAY 4 :: Christmas Stickers
Put them all over its face, hands, hat, and clothes. Leave some stickers for your children to play with, too!
A little Note the elf can leave: “You have been good! I’m so proud of you. So off to the North Pole to Santa I flew. He sent me back with some stickers for you! They are shiny, great, fun, and new. I hope you don’t mind that I used just a few.”
DAY 5 :: Be Good
Did the kids have a rough day? Remind them to be good! Have the elf spell out “Be Good” in magnets or Cheerios.
DAY 6 :: Take an Elfie
Set up a backdrop with a note that says “Take an Elfie.” Take some photos of your tiny tots with their elf.
If you have extra time, set up mini props made with toothpicks or popsicle sticks.
DAY 7 :: Donuts from the North Pole
Have the elf bring back donuts from the North Pole. Just regular ol’ donuts, or even easier, put some donut holes on a plate and add sprinkles. Sprinkle on more magic with this North Pole Donut Shop logo.
DAY 8 :: Family Movie Night
If it’s the weekend, have the elf bring popcorn and movie candy and suggest family movie night.
DAY 9 :: Shaving Cream
Mr. Elf got into Daddy’s shaving kit! Oops!
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DAY 10 :: Snowman
In Texas, we don’t get the excitement of many snow days. So, have the elf leave white play-doh or marshmallows with a little note that asks, “Do you want to build a snowman?”
Here’s a note the elf could leave: “To the North Pole I went and came back with a game. Let’s build a marshmallow (or play-doh) snowman and give him a name.”
DAY 11 :: Tooth Games
Do you have to hound the kids to brush their teeth? Have the elf leave a note in toothpaste to remind the kids to brush. Tip: Unless you save it for the stocking, have the elf bring a new toothbrush or tube of toothpaste.
Did your child lose a tooth? Have the “Tooth Fairy” wrap the elf in dental floss to keep it from stealing the money under your child’s pillow.
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DAY 12 :: Sick Elf
Oh no! Your elf went to the North Pole and came back with a cold. Set him up wrapped in a washcloth “blanket” with tissues, the remote control, and a thermometer.
DAY 13 :: Green Milk
Get some green food coloring and put a few drops in your milk jug. Hide the Elf giggling in the refrigerator. Your kids will love this one!
DAY 14 :: Elf-Sized Cookies
Making Christmas cookies for the neighbors? Use the extra dough to create elf-sized cookies.
Tips: Use a frosting tip as a tiny cookie cutter, and don’t forget to adjust the temperature and timing on the oven, so they don’t burn.
DAY 15 :: Elfish Breakfast
Make Santa or reindeer pancakes, hot cocoa, or if you’re a fan of the movie Elf — and you just had spaghetti night — have your elf eat “Buddy the Elf Spaghetti” with marshmallows, syrup, and M&Ms.
DAY 16 :: Camping Trip
Your elf decided to go on a little camping trip. Prop up a book like a little tent and use Barbie’s sleeping bag. Or have Elfie toast a marshmallow over a candle.
DAY 17 :: Elf Gone Fishing
Your elf is fishing in the sink, and he or she caught a rubber ducky! A fishing pole is easy to make out of a chopstick and some yarn.
DAY 18 :: Twister
Time for a game of Twister! I can’t wait to try this one this year. Here’s a free printable from Pinterest if you don’t have time to make one.
DAY 19 :: Googly Eyes
Elf put googly eyes on all of the fruits and veggies in the refrigerator with a note that says, “All eyes are on you! Be good!”
DAY 20 :: Letter to Santa
Set your elf up with crayons writing a note to Santa. Or give him the laptop to send a quick email.
DAY 21 :: Story Time
Your elf brought some Christmas books for the kids to read before bed.
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DAY 22 :: Spa Day
Time for a little relaxation! Elf can take a bubble bath in the sink or have a spa day with Barbie. Give elf a lotion face mask, and wrap her hat in a towel. Or put out nail polish, and dip her toes in a bowl of mini marshmallow bubbles.
DAY 23 :: Sugar Rush
Let your elf indulge in a little treat. He’s drinking syrup out of the container, or maybe he’s caught eating Nutella straight from the jar!
DAY 24 :: Paper Snowflakes
It’s time for one last surprise! The elf decorated the kids’ rooms with paper snowflakes.
This can be as simple or extravagant as you want. My girl loves ballet and waits all year for her elf to bring these special ballerina snowflakes. It’s our Christmas Eve tradition.
DAY 25 :: Goodbye, Elf on the Shelf!
Be sure your elf leaves a little “Goodbye until next year” note. It could be found in your child’s stocking or under the tree.
Remember that each day doesn’t have to be an Instagram-worthy experience for your kids. Just have fun with it, and they will too!
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Oh my goodness you are a lifesaver!!! I’ve put off doing this for several years – we’ve done a tonne of advent activities but my son was relentless this year. This will be a big help. Thank you!