"Christmas can be pure magic and there are tons of creative ways to celebrate with your family. The beauty of this holiday is the convergence of old and new family traditions, which can be either extravagant or budget friendly. If you have little kids, youâve likely already heard of the Elf on the Shelf. And if youâre like me, youâre already looking for funny Elf on the Shelf ideas.
While we love traditional advent calendars to count down to December 25th, kids love the anticipation of the big day and adopting an Elf on the ShelfâSantaâs helper and friendly scout elfâcan be another sweet way to get them excited. For my family, the Elf is a merry-and-bright tradition, and the kids wait all year for the return of their friendly scout elf. The elf has pretty much become part of our holiday family.
Before I proceed, I want to acknowledge the mental and physical load the holidays have on moms. We do a lot during this time of year, so my intention when encouraging Elf on the Shelf is not to add yet another thing to your holiday to-do list. Rather, I aim to sprinkle some easy and entertaining ways to add more holiday cheer to your Christmas.
You can do all the bells and whistles when setting up your Elf on the Shelf scout elves or you can keep things sweet and simple. Believe me just searching for the Elfâs hiding spot in the morning can be magical.
Below is a detailed description of this festive tradition and some easy and creative Elf on the Shelf ideas to inspire your Christmas countdown.
What is Elf on the Shelf?
The Elf on the Shelf franchise started with the namesake book The Elf on the Shelf by Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell sold at your local bookstore, the official Elf on the Shelf website, or on Amazon. If you buy the official starter kit, the book includes your own scout elf specifically designed for whichever âelf lookâ your little one desires. A variety of elves are available, based on eye color, skin color, and sex, and they even have books in Spanish!
Once you purchase the book and its companion elf, you are set to formally adopt the elf into your family. Included in the kit is a keepsake box and an adoption certificate (see âarrivalâ section below for more ideas) where you can document this special occasion for your child to remember every Christmas.
Choose one of four official elves to come with your book to kick off your familyâs own Elf on the Shelf tradition.
Why People Love Elf on the Shelf
The Elf on the Shelf is one of Santaâs trusted helpers who becomes part of your family every Christmas. Starting on December 1st, your familyâs personalized elf serves as a representative of Santa to report back every night whether your child has been naughty or nice.
To integrate your elf into your family, your little ones can name their elfâany name, like Ana, Fred, Zart, and Banana! Once you welcome your elf into your family, your cheeky companion is placed anywhere in your house so they can quietly observe your childâs behavior and report back to Santa every night after the kids go to bed. After all, Santa needs help making his list and checking it twice!
At night, your scout elf goes back to the North Pole to be reunited with Santa, then returns to your home just in time for your kids to wake up the next day. The elfâs daily journey to the North Pole and back is fueled by lots of Christmas magic.
But the playful elf will not return to their same location in your house and instead will hide somewhere else. The fun part is having your child search your home in every nook and cranny each morning to discover the new place where your elf decided to hang out. My boys wake up with such excitement every morning to embark on the adventure of searching for their elves!
What are the âRulesâ for Elf on the Shelf?
Your job as a parent is merely to move the elf every night so they can âmagically appearâ in a new location every morning. I recommend putting a reminder on your phone to make sure you donât forget to find a new place for your elf as soon as your kids go to sleep. Of course, they are elves, so they might do some tricky and silly things because they love to see their family be merry.
Rules that apply to hosting a scout elf:
- Elves are instructed by Santa to listen attentively but never speak to their families. They have to make sure to not be distracted from their responsibilities as Santaâs elves. Your little ones can chat all day long with them and share stories with their elf buddy.
- The next rule is that the kids can never touch their elf, even if they are right beside them. They must honor this rule or else the elf magic might disappear (see below for the magic elf dust remedy)!
Alas, all good things come to a temporary end on Christmas Eve when the kids must bid farewell to their friendly elf (see departure ideas below). This is the big night when the elves return to the North Pole to give the full report to Santa as he prepares to deliver Christmas presents around the world.
All the elves spend the remainder of the year resting with Santa in the North Pole after all the hard work of preparing for Christmas. They definitely deserve the vacation!
As parents, we discreetly hide the family elf in a secure location so they do not get discovered by our kids all year. However, your little one can rest easy because their same elf will come back next season on December 1st with the same heartwarming Christmas magic. The reunion can be an epic, festive one for all to enjoy!
Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas
When you first adopt your elf, you can go as big or as simple as you want to mark the occasion. This is the only time you will do the official adoption, and every year thereafter will be a reunion with your elf. Your home base for the most comprehensive ideas on what to do with your scout elf is on the Elf on the Shelf website. They offer loads of creative ideas including five-minute ideas, crafts and printables, recipes, tips and tricks, and even options to incorporate elf pets! Pinterest is another great resource that offers free ideas on welcoming your elf to your family. Blogger Just Simply Mom has some fun and easy examples of ways to welcome (back) your elf to your family, including hiding in a Christmas tree or in a special delivery priority mail package.
The easiest way to welcome (back) your elf is read The Elf on the Shelf book with your kids while you all enjoy some hot cocoa. If this is the first time introducing the elf to your family, you can have some fun coming up with creative names as part of the âadoption ceremony.â The book even comes with an official Elf adoption letter.
Check out these fun ideas for ways to make the elf season feel extra special:
Elf Door
To inspire some Christmas magic, purchase a fairy door and include any additional elf-size Christmas props to add some flare to the welcome (back). You can place your elf somewhere near the door and explain to your little one that your elf came through that door during the night with elf magic. You can have them hold a âhelloâ notecard to express extra hospitality.
Add a fairy door to your home for an extra magical entrance. This one can be customized!
Magic Elf Dust
Even though the rules state our little ones cannot touch their elves, accidents can happen. Do not fret, as there is a solution: magic elf dust! As a reminder, if you touch your scout elf, their magic may disappear. To prevent this tragedy from happening, simply sprinkle them with magic elf dust and the elf magic is protected!
You can include this magic elf dust as part of the welcoming (back) of your elf this season. All you need to do is fill a small fairy vial with a mixture of Christmas-themed glitter and place it next to your elf. You can have the elf hold a Magic Elf Dust card, like this free one from Mama Cheaps, which explains how to use the magic elf dust should someone touch the elf.
DIY âelf dustâ with glitter in Christmas colors like red and green, or simply use white.
Welcome/Adoption Letter
If you want to personalize the welcoming (back) of your sweet elf, you can print a welcome (back) letter, which includes longer prose about this special event. You can find many free versions of these welcome (back) letters on Pinterest or purchase a customizable one on Etsy that includes the name of your child, the name of your elf, and other personalized details. Or, pick up a customized postcard like the one below and it will seem as if your elf arrived in the mail.
Introduce your elf to your little ones for the first time in the cutest (and easiest!) way possible with this customizable letter.
With holes for your elfâs arms and legs, this may be the cutest arrival idea out there!
âHangingâ Arrival
We love a grand entrance. If you are up for doing the pomp and circumstance of a welcoming (back) ceremony, prop your elf somewhere they can hang as they have just arrived from the North Pole. They can even be hanging from a ceiling fan (when itâs off!). Your child will be in awe of how your elf can stay hanging for so long!
Elf on the Shelf Ideas for the Countdown to Christmas
From the moment your elf arrives until Christmas Eve, you can be as creative and festive as you want. You donât have to spend much money to do these things, as Pinterest and the Elf on the Shelf site have a lot of free printables and ideas.
Sprinkle a bit more flare to each day your elf returns by adding props and/or elf attire to make your elfâs adventures extra exciting. The Elf on the Shelf website has a variety of outfits and props that can bring lots of giggles from your kids as they discover their elf in a new location with a new outfit. You can also find a catalog of outfit options on Etsy that will have you scrolling for days. My personal favorites are the Harry Potter robes by Stiches of Green!
The possibilities are endless, so go as wild as you want to! You also donât need to spend a dime when relocating your elf every night. You can simply put your elf in between toilet paper rolls or on top of your refrigerator and your little ones will be happy just the same. Less can be more!
For some fun Elf set-up thought-starters, check out these ideas:
Baking/Cooking
The holidays arenât the holidays without some Christmas baking. Why not have your elf take the lead by setting them up with cooking ingredients by their side as well as the necessary cooking utensils, and dress them up in an elf apron and chefâs hat? As a bonus, you can have breakfast ready tell your kiddos that their elf was nice enough to prepare the meal that morning!
With a hat, apron, and cooking tools, you can make it look like your elf is a natural in the kitchen!
A Written Message to the Kids
Although it may feel like a shame that the elf canât speak, there are many unique ways in which they can communicate with your kids. You can prop your elf on your laptop as if theyâre typing a message and the screen can project the message they want to share with your child. They can leave messages on chalkboards, mirrors, or other spots around the house. Itâs such a simple and sweet way to inspire that connection between your elf and your children.
âGingerbreadâ House
Kids love a good pun, and elves are nothing if not wildly silly creatures. This hilarious âgingerbread houseâ idea came straight from the Elf on the Shelf website and is a personal favorite because itâs so easy! Grab the ground ginger from your spice rack and a few pieces of bread and set it all up in the shape of a house. Then, watch as giggles ensue all morning.
Acts of Kindness
Elves can be naughty at times, but they also have huge hearts. One way to teach our kids gratitude during this holiday season is by having your elf encourage acts of kindness for the 25 days they visit your home. Little kids can learn the value of helping others in an age-appropriate way. Blogger Pam Dana from Over the Big Moon has printable good deed cards that can teach your kids that this holiday season is about being grateful and helping those in need.
âI Shined Your Shoesâ
Another great affordable option from the website will cause lots of laughs. Essentially, your elf will collect some of your kiddoâs shoes and wrap them in tin foil. From there, the elf will leave a note saying âI shined your shoes!â You can either make the sign on your own, or find a free printable on the website. Pro tip: I know how challenging it can be to get kids out of the door on time as it is, so maybe reserve this idea for a weekend when you have nowhere to be!
Smashing a Piñata
Maybe your kids love having piñatas at their own birthday parties. If thatâs the case, this is a must try idea! Find a mini piñata, hang it up, âblindfoldâ your elf with ribbon, and give it a straw bat to make it look like the most fun celebratory scene.
âIâm Boredâ Activity Jar
This will truly be the gift that keeps on giving, so be sure to do it early on in the month. Many of us hear the words âIâm boredâ all too often. Set up a scene that makes it looks like your elf built an âIâm boredâ jar. Fill it with ideas of things to do, like reading a book or building a fort, and your kid can pull out an idea each time they feel like thereâs nothing to do.
Elf on the Shelf Departure Ideas
Inevitably, your little elf will bid farewell by Christmas Eve because their job is done. But it can be framed as a moment to express appreciation for your elf. You can make it a simple goodbye or do something extra special for their final act of the year. Of course, you will explain to your little ones that your scout elf will return next season, so the countdown will begin once again! Check out these Elf on the Shelf ideas for departures:
A Goodbye Letter
Just like there were welcome letter ideas, you can provide a bookend experience by composing or customizing a goodbye letter. It can be as detailed as you want and, of course, a handwritten letter can be just as meaningful. Many vendors sell the âhelloâ and âgoodbyeâ letters as a pack, so you may already have one once you purchase the other.
A custom letter from your elf will make your kiddos feel like the elf enjoyed their company just as much as they did, and give them something to look forward to for the next holiday season.
Pictures at Night
If your kids are anything like mine, they might get a bit emotional that they wonât see their elves for a whole year. To help alleviate some of their sadness, I take a picture of the elves on the pillow next to each child with the goodbye letter right next to it.
Balloon Ride
You can devise an epic welcome and an even more bombastic departure if that is what your heart desires. Going away in a balloon is a pretty dramatic farewell. You can use mylar or helium balloons or put them on a platform attached to a lantern light like the way Kara from @mrscofieldandco (below) did it. Any aerial positioning of your elf will help visualize to your little ones that the elf is leaving for now, but they will return next year for more elf fun.
Elf on the Shelf Postcard
If you go the postcard route to welcome your elf back into your home, it seems only right to send him off the same way.
Have this wooden postcard on hand to help get your elf back to the North Pole each year.
Elf on the Shelf Hacks
If all this seems like just a little too much to add to your already overflowing Christmas-magic-making plate, donât feel bad. Lots of parents feel the same way, and many have come up with creative ideas to leave the tradition feeling magical, but a little less overwhelming.
Cut Back on the Timing
Maybe your familyâs elf is extra busy helping Santa and unfortunately canât come right away on December 1st. Instead of 25 days of elf magic, try cutting it back to two extra special weeks. Or, you could simply move your elf every other night instead of every night. Your little ones will still find magic in the experience!
Plan Ahead
Everythingâs easier with a little preparation. Instead of trying to think of new ideas each day, sit down sometime before December 1st and come up with elf ideas that are realistic for you. Give yourself time to buy any props you may need, and keep them as simple or as extravagant as you wish.
Repeat Set-ups
This works especially well for little kids, but no matter what their age, repeating or slightly tweaking your Elf on the Shelf ideas is always an option. Donât forget to catalog the ones you use this year to refer back to in the coming years.
Elf on the Shelf Sets
Let me introduce the most genius Elf on the Shelf idea: a complete Elf on the Shelf set with props for every day leading up to Christmas. You can even make the set last for multiple years by sprinkling in creative ideas versus doing them every night.
This extensive kit will have everything you need for a magical 30 days of elf fun.
Grab this kit for 27 days of props and activities for your elf.
No matter what you do with your Elf on the Shelf, your little one will be in a magical wonderland every day trying to guess what their elf is up to now. Elf on the Shelf is just one more way to add some holiday fun to the season that your kids will love all December and then reminisce about for the rest of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Elf on the Shelf
1. What is the Elf on the Shelf tradition?
The Elf on the Shelf tradition involves a scout elf sent by Santa Claus to observe children during the day and report back to the North Pole each night. The elf âreturnsâ every morning in a new spot, creating a fun hide-and-seek game for kids to discover where their elf has moved.
2. When should I start the Elf on the Shelf tradition?
Most families begin the Elf on the Shelf tradition on December 1st, as a fun way to mark the start of the Christmas countdown. However, you can start whenever it works for your family, whether earlier in November or mid-December.
As far as age goes, we started when my son was 4. That felt like the right time for us but many families start earlier or later.
3. How long does the Elf on the Shelf have to stay?
The Elf traditionally returns to the North Pole with Santa on Christmas Eve. But like with everything else related to the Elf on the Shelf, feel free to make it your own. Our CEO swears by limiting the Elfâs time with the family to only two weeks. It keeps things manageable for her and the kids still love the magical Elf time!
3. Do I need to come up with new Elf on the Shelf ideas every day?
While some families enjoy creating elaborate setups every day, itâs completely up to you! You can keep things as simple or as creative as you like. Some days, your elf might just âmoveâ to a new spot, while other days might feature a fun scene or surprise. Whatever works best for your family and your schedule.
4. Can my kids touch the Elf on the Shelf?
According to the official tradition, children are not supposed to touch the elf, as it might cause the elf to lose its magic. Iâve adapted this rule to suit my family. Grown-ups can touch the Elf if it accidentally gets knocked down (which happens a lot). The kids get to give the Elf a big hug the night before he leaves. Come up with your own version or stick to the tradition, itâs totally up to you!
5. What happens if we forget to move the elf one night?
If you forget to move your elf, donât stress! You can explain it however you likeâmaybe the elf was too tired from flying back and forth to the North Pole, or they liked the spot they were in. Feel free to get creative or keep it simple with an honest explanation.
6. Do I have to buy official Elf on the Shelf products?
While there are official Elf on the Shelf dolls and accessories available, you donât need to purchase them to participate in the tradition. Many families use other elf dolls or even stuffed animals as their âscout elf.â The focus is on the fun and the memories youâre creating together.
7. Can I stop the tradition if it becomes too much?
Absolutely! While the Elf on the Shelf can be a fun tradition, itâs important to do what feels right for your family. If the kids are overwhelmed or over stimulated by the Elf, or if itâs just bringing you stress, take a break. The holidays are about joy and togetherness, so donât feel obligated to keep anything going.
Carmen Garcia-Shushtari, Former Branded Content Editor
Carmen has over 20 years of experience working as a teacher, university administrator, and manager. Her true love has always been writing, and her editorial work explores the joys and challenges of being a working mother while pursuing her own dreams. She is a proud daughter of Mexican immigrants, a mom of two precious boys, and an LA native.