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This FREE PRINTABLE: EASY ELF ON THE SHELF IDEAS list might come in handy if you have an elf on the shelf tradition in your home (or you are thinking of starting one). These easy elf on the shelf ideas are FREE and truly EASY. You will want to bookmark this one…
PARENT CLUB TIP: any elf will do! I bought a no-name elf at a post-Christmas sale a few years ago and that’s the one we use for elf on the shelf. You don’t have to use the elf that comes with the Elf on the Shelf book (nor do you have to buy the book — you could try making up your own story!).
And our elf on a shelf is actually French (because we are a bilingual house) so it’s our Lutin on a shelf.
For more inspiration: surf over to my elf on a shelf pinterest board(adding new elf pins as we go).
The thing about elf on the shelf…it brings the element of surprise to the holiday season. And I think it’s totally ok to make it your own.
Our Lutin is a day-time mischief-maker (because I kept forgetting to do it at night). He sleeps in his box at night (as all good elves do) but while the kids are at school he gets up to all sorts of surprising things. That way…the elf experience doesn’t make me crazy.
To start off the Elf antics…our Lutin sends a letter to the kids putting them on notice that’s he’s due to arrive soon. Kids LOVE getting mail…so this is a great kick-off to the fun of the holiday season. Plus, it’s a positive reading opportunity for kids and parents together. (and no, you don’t actually have to put a stamp and put a card in the mail…you can simply pop it into your own mailbox).
SHARE: What are your fun ideas for elf on the shelf?…
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Comments
rawsonjl saysOH thank you! I am always looking for ideas.. after 8 years of hiding I’m really starting to run out.
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The ziplining with a candy cane has got to be one of the best ideas! That would be adorable!
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- aliyadaya says
Kudos to the parents who do this… Personally, not for me. It just adds an extra layer of work to an already busy and crazy season. Great list to simplify it for those who do.
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That’s absolutely adorable! I’ve never heard of an ‘elf on a shelf’ as a tradition…but I LIKE it! Looks like a lot of fun 🙂
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- kathy downey says
We don’t do the Elf,but it sounds fun for those who do !
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- kathy downey says
We used some of these ideas,so much fun
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- Ali P says
We’ve done some of these, and the kids loved them!
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- Linda H says
These are all great ideas for the Elf.
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- krisha4444 says
we dont do elf on the shelf…although i do enjoy seeing other peoples ideas. That ziplining on a candy cane lol…priceless
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- Lori a Galbraith says
We don’t do Elf on The Shelf, but I love the creativity it inspires.
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- LisaM says
Ditto Lori – it’s not something we do but I see some people having a lot of fun (I also see some parents complaining though!)
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- Melinda says
I have been looking for new ideas. Thanks!
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- hmrcarlson says
We just joined in the Elf on the Shelf craze this year so I appreciate all these ideas.
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- Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I’ll have to tell my son and family about this, they eventually caved in to their kids wanting one and these ideas will come in handy for them.
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- nicolthepickle (Nicole Graham) says
Thank you for these ideas. My kids enjoy it so very much.
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- Judy Cowan says
We don’t do Elf on the Shelf but I am sure for those that do this would be very helpful.
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- Erin N says
Greats ideas! Elf on the Shelf is so adorable – I love it!
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- Carole Dube says
This is a great list, my daughter always run out of idea where to put him!
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