Last year was the first year that I finally decided to start the elf on the shelf tradition. Although I do think it is a cute idea, I also feel like its just one more thing to add to an already busy mom’s plate. That is why I decided to create a list of 25 EASY Elf on the Shelf Ideas for busy moms like you.
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These are also great for when are finally about to doze off and you realize you forgot to move the elf, or those times where you wake up in the middle of the night because you forgot to move the elf. Yes, this happens… and if it hasn’t happened to you yet, just wait…it will 😊.
My youngest daughter started Preschool last year and I knew the kids would be talking about it. I decided this was a good time to start the tradition. I figured that if St. Nick brought them the elf, then the elf could just re-appear every year on December 6th. This way, it cuts out some of the days I needed to move the elf 😊…Winning!
Okay, so now we have the elf for 19 days. My kids are still young so I do not feel the need to be extravagant. Easy is good. I like the sound of it and the kids do not know the difference.
Since I am still a novice and only have a handful of ideas, I decided to reach out to some of the more experienced moms who have really great ideas for moving the elf around. These ideas are not only easy, but fun as well.
If you haven’t purchased and elf on the shelf, click on the image below to start the fun tradition. You can purchase a boy or a girl.
Below are a list of 25 Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas:
1. The Babysitter Elf
Grab some cheerios and spell out “be good.” Stick the Elf next to it and add a sign letting your kids know, he/she is watching you!
2. The Roasting S’mores Elf
Grab one of your Christmas candles, s’mores supplies (marshmallow, graham crackers, Hershey’s chocolate), and a stick from the yard and have the Elf Roasting a Marshmallow over a Christmas candle.
3. The Coffee Drinking Elf
Use one of your Keurig Cups and poke a straw through it. Sit the Elf up and have him drinking coffee out of your k-cup.
4. The Sticker Elf
Use any stickers you have around your house and stick them all over the Elf.
5. The Cookie Eating Elf
Prop the Elf up on a pillow, stick a cookie with frosting next to the elf and dab some frosting on his/her mouth.
6. The Pooping Elf
Grab a mason jar and a Hershey’s kiss and put the kiss in the jar. Set it on your toilet and place the elf sitting on top of the jar.
7. The Story Time Elf
Find some figurines and dolls and set them sitting up. Grab a Christmas book and place the elf so that he/she is reading the Christmas book to his/her friends.
8. The Star Wars Elf
Grab some of your Star Wars toys and stand them up facing the cabinet. Stick the elf in the handle of your cabinet. It looks like the elf is all tied up!
9. The Merry Christmas Elf
Just spread some flour on the counter or table. Make a snow angel with the elf and write “Merry Christmas.”
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10. The Tee Peeing Elf
Unroll some toilet paper and wrap it around the tree, then stick the elf somewhere in the tree.
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11. The Photographer Elf
Grab some of your child’s dolls or toys and set them up by the tree. Find a toy camera and set it on the ground in front of the elf. Lay the elf down and make it look like he/she is taking a picture.
Blog: Simplify Create Inspire
12. The Sleeping Elf
Pick one of the many tissue boxes you have laying around this time of year and make a bed for the sleeping elf!
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13. The Hungry Elf
The kids will get a kick out of the elf popping out of the cereal box! Just cut a whole in the box and stick the elf’s head through it.
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14. The Naughty Elf
Almost every one has these felt letter boards and they come with the letters! So so easy. Thank you Natural Beach Living!
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15. The Hanging Elf
It doesn’t get much easier than this. You can pretty much use anything in your house to hang the elf!
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16. The Tied up Elf
Grab one of the million pairs of shoes you have laying around and tie up some knots with the laces!
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17. The Make up Elf
Do you have make up laying around your sink? Grab the elf, put some blush on his/her cheeks and you are set!
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18. The Chillin Elf
The Elf on the Shelf comes with this book so grab a snack, open it and prop the elf on a pillow.
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19. The School Elf
They will definitely have no problems finding this elf!
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20. The Musical Elf
Find an instrument or a toy and have the elf playing music.
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21. The Stuck Elf
Tape the elf to your chalkboard or kitchen cabinets if you do not have a chalkboard.
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22. The Shaving Elf
Grab some shaving cream and a razor and let the elf have some fun!
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23. The Relaxed Elf
This cracks me up! You can really put the elf anywhere in the dollhouse for fun.
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24. The Gaming Elf
Again, you can really use any board game for this. Such a good easy idea!
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25. The Christmas Eve Elf
Christmas Eve is the last day our elf comes before heading back to the North Pole! Write a letter to the kids letting them know that the elf is heading back to the North Pole and will be back next year!
Summary
There you have it! These are 25 EASY elf on the shelf ideas for busy moms like you! If you are looking for more creative elf on the shelf ideas, check out Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.
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