I could pretend that I'm just writing this blog post to help you guys come up with last minute Elf on a Shelf ideas, but really, I'm writing this while I'm eating my own words. A week or two ago, I posted on Facebook about how dumb I thought it was to do Elf on the Shelf because I have enough messes to clean up! Why would I have a little stuffed Elf make MORE messes?!
Then, while my 7 year old was looking over my shoulder, up popped the Elf on the Shelf (without the book, and slightly less creepy than the original) on sale for $15.00. As I sat there, rolling my eyes, Gracelynn squealed with delight! “Awww! MOM!! That is an Elf on the Shelf! OH. MY. Goodness! Mom are we getting one? I love you SOOOO much!! Thank you!!!” That was the beginning and the end of that conversation.
Oh. My. Goodness. Really?
So, thanks to Amazon Prime's FREE 2-day shipping, our Elf arrived today. YAY! I'm. So. Excited. I'm sure you can feel my enthusiasm.
Well, someone is excited, anyway. So, let's get to it. Elf on the Shelf ideas. WEEE!
27 Elf on the Shelf Ideas from Balancing Home
101 Elf on the Shelf Ideas from Blossom Bunkhouse
25 Elf on the Shelf ideas from BabyCenter
50+ Elf on the Shelf Ideas from Come Together Kids
18 Elf on a Shelf Ideas from Lil Blue Boo
25 Elf on the Shelf Ideas from Pigskins & Pigtails
51 Elf on the Shelf Ideas from Mommy Savers
26 Elf on the Shelf Ideas from She Knows
I even found a Pinterest Board of Elf on the Shelf Ideas!
Can't wait to see what the mischievous bastard comes up with…
P.S. I'm the worst mom ever. I told the girls that instead of decorating for Christmas, we are doing the Elf on the Shelf thing. I think that disqualifies me for Super Mom of the year, but they seemed excited anyway.
Cool!!
Ok so, my sister has been doing this a few years. I just ordered one to start another new tradition. What I did not realize is that this “elf” is supposed to be so….so….out of control!
I didn’t have time to look through all the sites you have listed..but I saw one today that involves making cheerios into ‘elf donuts’ …I’m a ‘lazy elfer’ but we will for sure have elf donuts soon!
here’s the link the article: http://parentpretty.com/elf-on-the-shelf-ideas/
Our elf, Jingles, has been very busy these past few weeks… she’s made a few messes, but she’s a junk food loving elf who has ended up reclined on the couch with an empty can of coke and a few candy wrappers a couple times already. She brings little gifts quite often… She’s holding an old dirty sock (covered in cocoa & garlic powder) and a note saying how sad Santa was tonight when she left her report… the LO had a bad bad bad day… and for some reason she kept saying Santa had her on the naughty list and she was getting a dirty sock… guess she was right. I know I’m a terrible parental unit, but I’m hopeful that it’ll encourage her to be better tomorrow!
we have an elf, my kids love it, however he does not make messes at all. I don’t get why some parents are making the elf do things that the kids would get in trouble for doing. When his job is to tell on them , our elf just “reports” to the north pole evry night and moves to a new spot. he may bring some candy back with him or some treats if they were particularly good the day before. But my kids would know it’s fake if he used a whole tube of toothpaste to write their names on the bathroom mirror or TPed the tree , and I didn’t throw him out of my house. I just don’t get those moms letting their elf dictate a “do as I say ,not as I do” policy. Glad you caved , I know how much the kids do enjoy it ,nothing wrong with bringing a little magic to your kids christmas. I do love your idea of the pole dancinfg elf ,That one I’m doing :)
This morning I put the elf (they named her Snowflake) in Sapphire’s open lunchbox, and had her drinking a soda and talking on my cell phone. LOL Not very creative but they thought it was cute. Actually, I think they thought it was pretty lame, but they laughed for me anyway… :)
I had never heard of it until last year when my step-mom said she had sent one to my girls & to be on the look out for it. At first I thought it was creepy looking. It freaked me out. The girls weren’t too into it but this year it has gained momentum and they couldn’t wait for it to come back. So far we haven’t really done much more than hide it in crazy places & ways. I’m a lot like you….. I don’t want to make a mess, stage an elf doll and then clean up said mess. I have enough messes I already avoid cleaning up. ;)
This is our 1st year with our elf, Buddy. (I’m extremely scared of clowns but not this. Go figure lol.) No mischief, but fun places and one note so far reminding them to be good kids. If they have an especially good day, there will be little treats.
Although it has apparntly been around for a while, Elf on a Shelf is a pretty new concept to me. Despite the fact that it does seem fun, personally I’m not really crazy about it, but for a very silly reason. As an only child for most f my childhood, I was very “creative,” lol, and my own elf doll was a beloved companion for me during the holidays. I cannot believe how much mischief he gets into now days – I thought I raised him better than that, LOL.
Oh No! You succumbed to the Elf on the Shelf madness! LOL! Have fun with it!
I think we should have a naughty elf on the shelf adult version contest lol
That is so cute! Your kids are adorable Sadie
I think the Elf on the Shelf is so funny! I guess you are supposed to put Elf around in different places in your house, and then every day the kids can try to find out where he is! So funny! I think I am to old for this game, but I am sure your kids love it!
I don’t think the kids here would be into the Elf that much. Though, they are boys and cause enough mischief on their own-I th ink an Elf would just be an instigator to try and test the tattletale system.
So cute – I love love love all those pictures and the ideas — wonderful!!
I don’t have kids, but I really love looking at the creative things everyone does with this – to me, that’s the best thing about the elves – they get the grownups to be creative, too! I LOVE the pole dancing one above!!!
Wow, I didn’t realize this was so popular. I just heard about the elf on a shelf a couple of weeks ago. Also I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your blog and nominated you for the One Lovely Blog Award. http://debi1998.blogspot.com/2012/12/one-lovely-blog-award.html
i just dont get the whole elf on a shelf thing. I know it makes messes and tells santa but what is it really? im confused. my 5yo keeps asking for one. ugh
I think this sounds like a cute idea for the kids I wish I wouldn’t have found this idea sooner. I think I will get it for next year! Thanks!
I have been wanting one of these for the kids but haven t been able to find one under $30.00 I’m going to check out the site where you got it for so cheap and try and order it even though we only have a few weeks left.
I saw a picture on Facebook of an elf holding a pair of hair clippers, sitting on a boy’s pillow, while the boy had a shaved place on his head! I have enough messes without an elf to creat more LOL
I don’t have elf on the shelf yet….but it does look interesting.
Great ideas!! I am always looking for new elf ideas!! My daughter is 10, but still believes!! YES!!! My grandmother is really sick right now, so our elf has not been causing too much trouble, but these ideas are perfect for something quick and cute!! Great job :)
This is my family’s first year doing Elf on the Shelf and I love it! My kids are so excited about it too.
So far our elf, Little Red, has gotten into the cat food, took a marshmallow bath, brought letters from Santa to my girls, and just this morning he was cruising around the kitchen in a Barbie car with Barbie! HAHA…..Pinterest is really great for finding ideas too!
AWWWWWWW.!!! .ELF ON THE SHELF REMINDS ME OF WHERE’S WALDO..((giggle))! 2 CUTE:D!!
CHILDREN TRULY BRING SOOOO MUCH MAGIC 2 THE HOLIDAYS! WE R TRULY BLESSED WITH THEM N OUR LIVES :)
After reading the story and looking it up, it’s not as crazy as I thought it was. Kinda want one now…lol
Love the idea of doing the Elf thing instead of all the christmas decorations! :) and It seems fun , I never thought I’d like the Elf on the shelf but I can see how it can be really fun. Maybe when my boy is older we;ll do it and see in how many weird/silly places he’ll end up
One of my friends has been posting adorbs pics of the one for her kids on facebook and I reeeeally want to do one but my elder kid is too big for it and the younger one wouldn’t get it yet. Maybe next year. lol
Awesome! Thank you for all of the great ideas!! :D
Elf on the Shelf seems cute. I’ll have to get one to put aside for next year. Thanks for the links with all the ideas.
We got our Elf on the Shelf today! She’s a girl and we named her Jinxsey. My daughter is so excited! All I told her was the Jinxsey keeps an eye on her and reports back to Santa every night and comes back and lands somewhere new :) I don’t think we’ll doing the messy thing…I have enough of that to deal with already! lol
I caved this year, too! Can’t tell you how many times I have forgotten to move it!
Your daughters are so cute! I literally laughed so hard at that pole dancing Elf on the Shelf. We don’t celebrate any holidays this season, so we don’t have an Elf on the Shelf.
Good for you Sadie! Your daughter sounds so adorable. I have elves in my home at Christmas and started 25 years ago long before the “fake” Elf on the Shelf craze. {Yes my friend had the idea long ago and had the prototype and book but was waiting on funding when someone else did it from beneath her, and hers were way cuter.} I have many of them and only one would move around the room some nights. No messes {I don’t agree with that part} but put the children on their best behavior. Fun time for all.
I don’t like the mess part either! Who wants to clean up MORE messes?