Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Noting Grace

Home
Family, Parenting and Religion
15 Elf on the Shelf Ideas to help you this holiday season

15 Elf on the Shelf Ideas to help you this holiday season

Last updated on: December 6, 2016 at 9:40 pm by Jennifer Fancher

15 Elf on the Shelf Ideas to help you this holiday season 2016-12-06T21:40:53-05:00 Jennifer Fancher

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ding Dong the Elf on the Shelf is dead! I know I should be sad but, I’m kinda doing a happy dance right now. Do you have a love/hate relationship with that little doll like me? How many times have you turned to full panic mode because you had forgotten to move the elf? Well, friends, here are 15 Elf on the Shelf ideas to help you out this season!

A few weeks ago, our youngest came to us asking if Santa was real and, sadly, we knew that our time of Christmas magic had come to an end. No more setting out carrots and cookies on Christmas Eve, no more sitting on Santa’s lap, or writing letters with hopes of getting everything on their list. But, hurrah for no more moving that blasted elf!

For the past 6 years, every morning after our Christmas Tree (or Christmas ladder) went up, our Elf on the Shelf, Bud E., came to visit us and y’all – I was at war with that stuffed doll for the next month. Usually it was a last minute, slight of hand type of staging just to keep the kids’ belief alive, but it was always met with a sigh and eye roll from me.

I have collected 15 of our favorite elf shenanigans for you and I hope it inspires you with more fun ideas to help you through this holiday season.

The Fridge/Freezer

Our elf always made his first appearance in the freezer with a note explaining his acclimation to the climate since we lived in the desert for a spell, but I think it’s still a fun hiding place regardless of where you live!

Click Continue below to see more awesome ideas!

Wood Watches For Women

Dry Erase Fun

Our elf was rather mischievous, and there was at least once a season when the dry erase marker made funny faces on a family photos.

Bringing some treats

Our elf either brought some treats for our boys, or got into some that we had around. Seeing the elf covered in icing always brought the giggles.

Click Continue below to see more awesome ideas!

Snow Angels

In flour, powdered sugar or regular sugar – a snow angel is always a hit!

More snow angels

It was always fun to have him caught in the act, and this is a quick trick you can do with sprinkles as well.

Wood Watches For Women

Capturing the Elf

This relieved a bit of the angst seeing our Elf in some sort of prison – at least it brought me a bit of relief. This is a great idea to have the kids wake up to.

Romantic Interludes

Being in a house of stinky boys, dolls were definitely taboo, but I loved setting up our Elf with an old doll of mine and he reunited with her each Christmas. Long distance romance can be tough!

Elf in the Pantry

Just like the movie, our Bud E. loved his syrup – and this was a fun way to quickly bring the belly laughs!

The interceding Elf

I loved using our Elf as the go between with Santa and the boys behavior. Little reminders were always helpful!

Wood Watches For Women

Marshmallow Fun

This was super quick if you have toothpicks, marshmallows and a sharpie. Our elf loved building snowmen.

Elf in the Tub

Cotton balls make for the perfect Elf bubble bath – or you can use mini marshmallows!

Elf Shenanigans

And elf riding a chicken is always a win!

Hanging from a Chandelier

Seeing your elf as a trapeze artist at dinner time always was a sure win!

Wood Watches For Women

Christmas Eve Morning

Just as our elf arrived the same way each year, he also left the same. On Christmas Eve morning, he made up a batch of Reindeer food for the boys to sprinkle in the yard so the reindeer know where to land.

Becoming a Pro

Fellow mom blogger, Steph, from A Little Moore, has an awesome shop with handmade Elf costumes and accessories to trick out your elf that will definitely bring loads of laughs and smiles! You can visit her shop here to help you up your game! She even offers a printable calendar to help you stay on track with Elf ideas!

I hope this helped you out with new ideas, and while our magic is gone, we still have fun hiding our elf, and now the kids are in on it!

I love to hear from y’all! Scroll to the bottom and leave me a comment.

I share with these wonderful people. This post contains affiliate links.

While I may receive a small compensation, the price remains the same for you!

Wood Watches For Women

Christmas

DIYs to Try

Previous Post

November 23, 2016

That time I almost turned into "Mommy Dearest"

Next Post

December 9, 2016 Easy DIY Buffalo Check wreath for only $10

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category $$ Saving Tips Beauty in the Blemishes Blog Boys Room Christmas Cozy Dining Room Dining Room Table DIYs for $25 DIYs to Try Encouragement Family Room Farmhouse Faux Fireplace Furniture makeover Grace Grace Notes Hardwood Floors Heirloom Home tour I DIYed that Instagram Kitchen Master Painted signs Pallet Parenting Recipes Review Rockin' the Roundup Selling Your Home Series Spring Sweet Tea Ambassador That Time I the Almost Farmhouse the Vegas House Tutorial Uncategorized wreath

Select a Month July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 November 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 August 2011 May 2010 March 2010 January 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which letter has the "armor of God" passage?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Philippians 2 Timothy Colossians Ephesians