So if you’re anything like me, you have a love-hate relationship with your Elf. If you’ve decided to do this tradition in your home – here are some EASY ideas that you can execute at 2:00 am when you get up in the middle of the night and realize, “ I FORGOT TO MOVE THE ELF!!”.
General Elf Tips:
-Set a recurring timer on your phone for 9 or 10 pm each night to remind you to move the Elf before bed.
-You don’t have to move the Elf every day, especially if you are new to this – set the bar low.
-Don’t feel like you have to create an elaborate Elf story to have fun with it – we don’t tie ours to behavior, etc. Our Elf just helps us celebrate the month of December until Santa comes.
-Choose Elf antics that are high up from the ground – this prevents the littlest kids from touching/moving the Elf.
-Involve your older kids and spouse to come up with funny ideas!
-I love to have the Elf give my kids little holiday treats, crafts, or a preview to a holiday outing we have planned. That fills in quite a few days of the calendar.
Here are 24 Elf ideas I plan on using this year:
- Dec. 1st – I’m BACK or “I’m your Elf” message written on the family chalkboard/whiteboard, with a note to check under the tree for their advent calendar.
- Elf holds a birthday candle with a Post-it note that says, “Happy Birthday Grandpa” if you have a December birthday in your family.
- Elf shoved in a drinking glass in the kitchen cabinet.
- Elf delivers holiday activity/coloring books with one page/pic colored in with crayon and signed with your Elf’s name.
- Elf delivers paper or printable so kids can write their wish list for Santa. (can add in holiday stickers and stick some on the Elf for dramatic effect).
- Elf lays around in a hammock made from a mask on the Christmas tree.
- Elf is sick – surround with crumpled Kleenex, cough drops, add a band-aid.
- Elf writes a message, ie.“15 more days ’til Santa!” on windows with dry-erase markers.
- Elf plays tic tac toe with marshmallows (mark with X and O) (add doll playing with him if you want!).
- Elf writes message with toothpaste on shower wall.
- Elf delivers family Christmas jammies (the 1st day we are planning to wear them at Polar Express)
- Elf headfirst in stocking with feet sticking out.
- Elf riding on toy car – wishing us a fun road trip with a Post-it that says, “Have a great trip-see you when you get back!”
- Elf decorates kids’ bedroom doors with any holiday decor – red & green crepe paper, balloons.
- Elf hanging in freezer with washcloth wrapped around like a blanket.
- Elf plays with kids’ toys – all cars lined up, barbies in row, hugging dolls, etc.
- Elf sits on top of curtain rod or hangs from curtain rod.
- Elf tangled up in string lights (plugged in).
- Elf hanging on chandelier or light fixture in dining room.
- Elf delivers holiday treat – cookies/Christmas Tree Cakes, etc.
- Elf gorges on chocolate – use unwrapped Hershey kisses leave some wrapped for kids.
- Elf wraps Christmas tree in toilet paper.
- Elf writes a message in sidewalk chalk on porch/patio – “Two more days until Santa!”
- Elf stacks tower of candy, oranges, Legos, holiday books, etc.
Have fun creating magic for your families & Happy Holidays!
