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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

25 Quick & Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas

If you have an Elf on the Shelf in your home, chances are you're always on the lookout for new and simple hiding places for your elf. Last year we had ROCmomma's 25 Days of SIMPLE Elf on the Shelf Ideas. This year, we're back with more! I have been pouring over Pinterest and blogs to come up with a 2013 schedule for our elf, Alvin.

Here is an easy breakdown of supplies you will need to follow this schedule.

WEEK 1:

  • December 1: art supplies, glue stick, sign that reads, "I missed you!"
  • December 2: Angry Birds toys (or other favorite toy set)
  • December 3: bathtub basketball nets (or other tub toys)
  • December 4: candy canes and ribbon to tie them together
  • December 6: white string and black paper to make a small eye patch
  • December 7: marshmallows, toothpicks, cotton balls, another toy/figure for a "snowball fight"
WEEK 2:
  • December 8: fishing pole (e.g., Let's Go Fishing game), Goldfish crackers
  • December 9: new ornaments, wrapped
  • December 10: Spider-man web (e.g., from a Lego set)
  • December 11: toy tractor, toy farm animals
  • December 12: dominoes
  • December 13: toy dinosaurs, string or ribbon
  • December 14: Christmas wrapping paper, tape, safety scissors
WEEK 3: 
  • December 15: favorite snack bag for each child
  • December 16: Lego fire truck (or other favorite toy)
  • December 17: Lego Star Wars ship (or other favorite toy)
  • December 18: child-size knife and fork, plate piled with Hershey's Kisses (or other favorite candy)
  • December 19: small washcloth, bowl, water, mini shampoo bottles
  • December 20: toilet paper roll
  • December 21: Christmas book, stuffed animals or other toys/figures
WEEK 4:
  • December 22: Christmas stocking
  • December 23: mixing bowl, flour, sugar, cookie sheet, packs of Mini Chips Ahoy
  • December 24: Reindeer Food (glitter & oatmeal) to sprinkle on the lawn
  • December 25: goodbye letter
Other materials to keep on hand for posing your Elf during the next few weeks include: 
  • glue dots
  • double-sided tape
  • twist-ties (the kind to close a plastic bag)
  • string
Check back throughout the next few weeks to check out pictures of our Elf in these poses.

One more thing! We are not using an Advent Calendar this year because I have a different idea. Our elf will hold a note each day of December instructing the kids to do a different holiday activity. For example, one says to make and decorate a gingerbread house. Another says to read a Christmas book. Each day is a different, simple activity to help us celebrate the season as a family.

If you would like to do the same, simply print these out on card stock, cut out the cards, and tuck one into your Elf's hands each night.


I hope you and your family enjoy these Elf on the Shelf ideas. There are some anti-Elf people out there, and that's okay. I just know that there is an expiration date on my kids' belief in Jolly Ol' Saint Nick. These few years when they believe in Santa Claus are short-lived and personally I would rather make the most of them, and watch my kids enjoy the magic. 

Please Post a Comment to share your Elf on the Shelf's favorite hiding spot! As always, thanks for reading.
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