Our top 20 ‘Elf On The Shelf’ ideas, including important life lessons!
So it's that time of year when that mischievous little elf makes an appearance, getting up to all kinds of naughty activities whilst your little ones sleep. Santa sends him to keep a special eye on your children around Christmas time, to make sure they are behaving. He then reports back to the North Pole to Santa every night, on who was naughty and who was nice. However, each morning your elf comes back and appears in a different location in your house. And the best part? Seeing the magic of your children’s excited little faces each morning! He heads back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve with Santa until the following year.
But every year you’re slowly running out of ideas, thinking of some new or clever spots to place him every day. You seem to start out strong but about a week or so into it, your elf sometimes ‘forgets to move’ or you put him in lame spots because you've run out of ideas (or have a little too much wine the night before).. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there!
This year we don’t want that to happen, So My Christmas Pyjamas have put together ‘Our Top 20 Elf on the Shelf Ideas’ to get you started with fun, cheap and easy ways to keep your Elf creative, but also throwing in important life lessons to remind your children to be good, be kind and to look after themselves!
But every year you’re slowly running out of ideas, thinking of some new or clever spots to place him every day. You seem to start out strong but about a week or so into it, your elf sometimes ‘forgets to move’ or you put him in lame spots because you've run out of ideas (or have a little too much wine the night before).. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there!
This year we don’t want that to happen, So My Christmas Pyjamas have put together ‘Our Top 20 Elf on the Shelf Ideas’ to get you started with fun, cheap and easy ways to keep your Elf creative, but also throwing in important life lessons to remind your children to be good, be kind and to look after themselves!
Idea 1: Welcome
So let’s start with his arrival (usually on 1st December), and this doesn't need to be too fancy (as they are just so excited that he/she is even there)! But pop your elf in a paper aeroplane signed from the North Pole. A great idea is to put a note/ introduction letter from the Elf which you can find here. This is a great way to tell your little ones to make sure they're behaving extra good at this time of the year, but also to have a little clear out of their toys.
Idea 2: Your Elf has a snowball fight!
Using Lego blocks for barriers and marshmallows for snowballs, your Elf and toy friend/s can have fun snowball fight! However beware, the snowballs might disappear if you leave the room for too long with your hungry little munchkins in the house..
Idea 3: Elves have good hygiene
Place your elf on the towel rack in the bathroom, and make it look like he has just finished taking a bath and is cleaning his teeth. You can use an old rag and place it round your Elf’s head, and then slip in a flossing stick for good measure. Make sure to comment (or leave a note with toothpaste on the side) on how it looks like he is trying to remind them to take baths at night and to keep their teeth brushed so they won’t get cavities.
Idea 4: Elf makes snow angels
Your Elf can make “snow” angels on any worktop. Pretend to scold at your elf for making such a mess - because we all like a clean and tidy house! This can be done with sugar, flour or even hundreds and thousands!
Idea 5: Your Elf loves to read
Make the perfect snuggle spot for your Elf to read a book in front of your Christmas tree, and toy friends might want to listen in too! This one can be a good reminder for children to practice their own reading.
Idea 6: Your Elf is naughty & doodles on a photo
Perch your Elf up on one of your framed photos and draw a silly moustache on one of the photos. It’s best to use a dry wipe marker, and we'd recommended testing beforehand too, just to make sure it will come off!
Idea 7: Your Elf loves to help the less fortunate.
Now this one is one of our favourites! Remember doing the Shoebox Appeal as a child, and sending them to those in need? Well Elves love to do this too! This is a great way for your little ones to understand to help people less fortunate than you. You make a shoebox with them that evening to send off. Click here for more information on the Shoebox Appeal.
Tip: Double-sided tape helps to get your Elf’s hands to stay where you need them.
So let’s start with his arrival (usually on 1st December), and this doesn't need to be too fancy (as they are just so excited that he/she is even there)! But pop your elf in a paper aeroplane signed from the North Pole. A great idea is to put a note/ introduction letter from the Elf which you can find here. This is a great way to tell your little ones to make sure they're behaving extra good at this time of the year, but also to have a little clear out of their toys.
Idea 2: Your Elf has a snowball fight!
Using Lego blocks for barriers and marshmallows for snowballs, your Elf and toy friend/s can have fun snowball fight! However beware, the snowballs might disappear if you leave the room for too long with your hungry little munchkins in the house..
Idea 3: Elves have good hygiene
Place your elf on the towel rack in the bathroom, and make it look like he has just finished taking a bath and is cleaning his teeth. You can use an old rag and place it round your Elf’s head, and then slip in a flossing stick for good measure. Make sure to comment (or leave a note with toothpaste on the side) on how it looks like he is trying to remind them to take baths at night and to keep their teeth brushed so they won’t get cavities.
Idea 4: Elf makes snow angels
Your Elf can make “snow” angels on any worktop. Pretend to scold at your elf for making such a mess - because we all like a clean and tidy house! This can be done with sugar, flour or even hundreds and thousands!
Idea 5: Your Elf loves to read
Make the perfect snuggle spot for your Elf to read a book in front of your Christmas tree, and toy friends might want to listen in too! This one can be a good reminder for children to practice their own reading.
Idea 6: Your Elf is naughty & doodles on a photo
Perch your Elf up on one of your framed photos and draw a silly moustache on one of the photos. It’s best to use a dry wipe marker, and we'd recommended testing beforehand too, just to make sure it will come off!
Idea 7: Your Elf loves to help the less fortunate.
Now this one is one of our favourites! Remember doing the Shoebox Appeal as a child, and sending them to those in need? Well Elves love to do this too! This is a great way for your little ones to understand to help people less fortunate than you. You make a shoebox with them that evening to send off. Click here for more information on the Shoebox Appeal.
Tip: Double-sided tape helps to get your Elf’s hands to stay where you need them.
Idea 8: Your Elf loves to help with the laundry.
Pop your Elf near the washing machine (put him in a sock if you wish) and scatter a little powder on the floor. You can even add an elf-sized washing line using string. Pop a note next to Elf and tell them that the challenge is for them to help Mummy / Daddy without being asked, or at least without being asked twice!
Idea 9: Your Elf always tries his best
Painting a picture or practicing a sport / hobby that your child/children love to do. Reminding them to always try their best!
Pop your Elf near the washing machine (put him in a sock if you wish) and scatter a little powder on the floor. You can even add an elf-sized washing line using string. Pop a note next to Elf and tell them that the challenge is for them to help Mummy / Daddy without being asked, or at least without being asked twice!
Idea 9: Your Elf always tries his best
Painting a picture or practicing a sport / hobby that your child/children love to do. Reminding them to always try their best!
Idea 10: Your Elf loves to Facetime his Elf- Friends, and let them know how much he loves them!
This one is for one of those ‘in-a-rush’ or ‘haven’t-slept-in-days’ kind of nights and can easily be pre-prepared days/ weeks or months in advance! Simply print this picture out and stick on your smartphone to make it look like your Elf is Face-timing his fellow Elves back at the North Pole! But this also has an important message to love and care for the ones you love.
Idea 11: Elf writes a cautionary note reminding them to be good!
If your children are particularly naughty one day, place a pencil in your Elf’s hand with a note that he wrote reminding them that they needed to behave to be on Santa’s Nice List. (Top tip, write this letter with your opposite normal hand that you usually write with so they don't recognise your handwriting)! Or Save and Print the below picture if you're in a rush!
Alternatively, if they are particularly well behaved, reward them with an Official Notice from the North Pole for their good behaviour!
Idea 12: Elf loves chocolate
You see, if you love chocolate too, and the night before, you accidentally on purpose find yourself scoffing Malteasers by the handful and watching a movie… he’s the man (well Elf)! You can get Elf to take one for the team and cover for a fellow chocoholic by just popping him next to the fridge / sweetie drawer, and smother a little melted chocolate on this face!
Idea 13: Elves loves to share
Now we all know that sharing is very important, and this is a great way to show that (and it's super easy to do too)! Just grab a tealight, and lightly toast some marshmallows on a cocktail stick with other toy friends. Tell them that it is always lovely to share with friends and family.
Idea 14: Elf turns your children into Rudolph
Wake up early one morning and paint red dots on your children’s noses about an hour before they typically wake up, you can even do yours too! We recommend using a washable craft paint instead of lipstick, so that it doesn’t smudge all over their bed sheets!.You can then set the Elf up on a work surface with his note.
Idea 15: Candy cane sled in the snow
Super easy and so fun, this candy cane sled looks just the part. Simply superglue a couple of candy canes together with a biscuit to sit on (not essential) and add some string/wire to hold on to before setting to dry. Either pop him on the banister or even prop a pillow up against the sofa to look like a snow slope!
Super easy and so fun, this candy cane sled looks just the part. Simply superglue a couple of candy canes together with a biscuit to sit on (not essential) and add some string/wire to hold on to before setting to dry. Either pop him on the banister or even prop a pillow up against the sofa to look like a snow slope!
Idea 16: Elf loves to go zip lining!
You can do this one in your children's bedroom if they are completely asleep, but the living room is just as good too! Hang ribbon from the ceiling to the other end of the wall and then tape the Elf’s hand to a candy cane creating a zip line.
You can do this one in your children's bedroom if they are completely asleep, but the living room is just as good too! Hang ribbon from the ceiling to the other end of the wall and then tape the Elf’s hand to a candy cane creating a zip line.
Idea 17: Elf is kidnapped!
This one will have your little ones in hysterics! Grab a pack of plastic army men from any pound shop (any toys will do the job if not), and some masking tape.
This one will have your little ones in hysterics! Grab a pack of plastic army men from any pound shop (any toys will do the job if not), and some masking tape.
Idea 18: Elf doesn’t like to waste any of his food!
Yep, we mean breakfast, lunch and dinner! Pop him headfirst or next to a cereal box (the travel sized boxes are great for this), and use this as a bribe for your kids to finish their brekkie in the morning!
Idea 19: Decorate the Christmas tree with toilet paper!
Your little ones will find this one so funny (and this is a nice easy one for you too)! Simply grab a roll of toilet paper and cover your Christmas Tree as messy as you can! You can even write '2 more days! Love Elf' on the toilet paper!
Idea 20: (Christmas Eve! Time for Elf’s departure)
On the final morning, be sure to deliver a special package from the North Pole (if they have been well behaved)! Some ideas include a Christmas film, Reindeer Food, a note from Santa, and of course a matching set of ‘My Christmas Pyjamas’ for the whole family. This is a great way for him to say his Goodbyes, and getting everyone in the festive spirit ready for Christmas Eve!
Check out our range of Matching Sets for the WHOLE family here!
(Above: RUDOLPH Two Piece Matching Set)
Top tip, cover a mint tin with tape and add a small pipe cleaner handle to make the perfect Elf-sized suitcase for his departure!
Well we hope this has helped all of you lovely parents out there, and will make your lives a little easier with Elf on the Shelf!
Take care, and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
With love,
My Christmas Pyjamas x
Check out our range of Matching Sets for the WHOLE family here!
(Above: RUDOLPH Two Piece Matching Set)
Top tip, cover a mint tin with tape and add a small pipe cleaner handle to make the perfect Elf-sized suitcase for his departure!
Well we hope this has helped all of you lovely parents out there, and will make your lives a little easier with Elf on the Shelf!
Take care, and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.
With love,
My Christmas Pyjamas x
