Elf On The Shelf Ideas: A Busy Mom’s Guide To Killin’ It This Christmas

Are you a busy mom in need of Elf on the Shelf ideas? You and every other mom on the planet, right?

The Christmas season is undoubtedly the busiest time of the year, and now with the unavoidable popularity of the Elf on the Shelf, the entire month of December is busier than ever.

Ask any busy mom about their wretched beloved elf, and you’re likely to get an eye roll, a look of commiseration or a look of pure disgust.

Why do we keep torturing ourselves year after year with that friendly scout elf? Because our kids adore him. We adore our kids. Therefore we are stuck with the Elf.

It’s magical. It’s exciting. It’s fun (for them!).

This year, I want you to actually enjoy your elf. I want you to feel ready to tackle 25 days of elf shenanigans with these awesome Elf on the Shelf ideas. I want you to KILL IT, Elf on the Shelf style.

This guide is going to give you everything you need in one spot. Seriously, you better pin this for later.

This post contains affiliate links.

Come Up With A Plan

I highly, HIGHLY suggest getting prepared now. Even if you’re reading this on December 15 and your elf has been performing hijinks for weeks now, it’s never to late to sit down and create a plan.

Believe me. You don’t want to be up at midnight searching for and implementing your next Elf on the Shelf idea.

And you most DEFINITELY don’t want to realize at 4am in the middle of your peaceful winter’s nap that you forgot to move the elf! (Check out my arrival letter which makes it okay if this happens!)

So create a Pinterest board, and fill it with all of the ideas that you love. Or just pin this post, because it’s ALL you’re gonna need. Then, if you’re printing anything, print it all at once.

Set an alarm on your phone. That’s your reminder! Seriously, last year, I browsed Pinterest, saw about 274 elf ideas and STILL went to bed without moving her. Then, surprise! I woke up in a darn panic in the middle of the night. Worst. Nightmare.

And check out my Elf On The Shelf Calendar and Planner for the ultimate organization and Elf on the Shelf fun!

Elf on the Shelf Ideas For Arrival

The first day that your elf arrives is probably the most exciting which is why you need some fantastic Elf on the Shelf ideas for arrival. You definitely don’t want your elf just, you know, sitting on a shelf. Oh the horror!

You need to think of how you can welcome your elf back (or to your home for the first time) in an exciting way.

And honestly, this is day one. The day when you’re going to have the most energy to pull off crazy elf shenanigans.

Check this post out with 14 cute Elf on the Shelf arrival ideas. Most are super simple to implement, but have a big wow factor.

Whatever Elf on the Shelf idea for arrival you choose, make sure to pair it with my free printable arrival letter for your Elf on the Shelf. 

 

Boy And Girl Elf On The Shelf Name Ideas

Your elf has officially arrived!

You’re probably hoping to find the perfect name. (Or hoping that your child doesn’t name it something like “Elf”.)

You don’t want this name-giving process to be stressful (like naming a CHILD), you want it to be fun!

So why not check out these 200 boy and girl names for your Elf on the Shelf.

If you want a traditional name for your elf? You got it! Christmas-y? Elf-y? Funny? Ridiculous? This list has all of that and more.

Here’s to finding the perfect name!

30 Easy Elf On The Shelf Ideas

The Christmas season was busy enough, and then the creators of the Elf on the Shelf (a brilliant, ridiculously rich mother/daughter duo) decided to make it even busier for us moms.

Don’t fret. I’ve got 30 super fun, but super EASY Elf on the Shelf ideas for you. Because while there are some really elaborate ideas that are totally awesome, do you really want to spend your off-duty, mom-free time doing it?

Didn’t think so.

With all of these ideas, you should spend 2 minutes tops posing your elf each night.

Here is my list of quick and simple Elf on the Shelf ideas (that are still high impact).

Laying in the silverware tray

Taking a bath in marshmallows

Head first in cereal box or candy box

Writing kids or Santa a message

Hiding among stuffed animals

Covered in bows or band-aids

Wearing your child’s boots and heading for the door

Playing a game, like the best kid’s game ever invented Sleeping Queens

Reading a book (Mother Bruce is one of our favorites!)

Peeking out of a drawer

Get the rest of the 30 easy Elf on the Shelf ideas <——– here.

Make sure that your kids get to tell Santa exactly what they want with these 10 ways to communicate with Santa.

Funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas

And who doesn’t want some funny Elf on the Shelf ideas once and a while? This list is for those nights when you’re feeling a little silly. I’m sure your kids will appreciate the humor!

1. pooping chocolate into the potty (or a training potty)
2. TPing the Christmas tree or your child’s room
3. laying on a towel wearing sunglasses
4. eating the gingerbread house that your kids made
5. ziplining
6. golfing with a candy cane
7. locked out of the house and stuck to the window
8. dressed up like Santa with a marshmallow beard
9. eating breakfast inspired by Buddy the Elf (spaghetti, sprinkles, maple syrup, chocolate syrup, m&ms and chocolate frosted pop tarts.
10. sack race with dolls in candy wrappers
11. walking on the ceiling
12. playing twister (use dot markers to make a quick twister board)

Elf on the Shelf Ideas For Toddlers

So let’s say that you have a toddler. I’m going to tell you that Elf on the Shelf ideas for toddlers should NOT be elaborate. Take advantage of the fact that your toddler is currently amused by the simple things in life.

Believe me, you will have many more Christmases in order to get all of our creative elf energy out. This year is not the time to burn out from too much elf nonsense.

1. fishing for goldfish
2. with a “candy” necklace made out of cereal
3. playing with your toddler’s favorite toy
4. reading your toddler’s favorite book to other toys or stuffed animals
5. with cookie ingredients
6. playing doctor (every toddler’s favorite game!)
7. in something made of Duplos
8. in your toddler’s stocking
9. hiding in a diaper
10. playing Candyland (or Operation, etc) with other toys

Excuses for the Elf on the Shelf who Didn’t Move

If you didn’t use my Elf on the Shelf arrival letter which tells your kids that it’s okay if the elf doesn’t move overnight, then you might need some suggestions.

Elf on the Shelf arrival letter <—— PIN IT for next year

Keep these excuses in mind.

Excuse #1- Blame it on the younger sibling.

You can always tell your child that you think you saw the toddler touch the elf the day before.

Excuse #2- You forgot to tell him good night and he was waiting up all night for you to let him know that you were going to bed so that he could sneak out.

Excuse #3- He looks tired.

Don’t you think he looks tired? I bet he wanted a break. It’s a long fly to the North Pole!

Or better yet, read and pin 14 Reasons Your Elf Didn’t Move about what to say when your Elf forgets to move. (Her ideas are way better than mine).

Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter

Did you ever hear of the Christmas hangover? That feeling when you have been waiting and preparing for Christmas Day for an ENTIRE month and it’s over in the blink of an eye? It can be a huge letdown.

It’s the same thing with your kids. But not only is Christmas morning over and all of that excitement, but Jingles has flown back to the North Pole after weeks of daily excitement.

It can be sad for a kid.

Leaving your child with an Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter that they can actually hold will help them feel a little less let down.

Get your Elf on the Shelf Goodbye letter <——–HERE.

Elf on the Shelf Props, Printables, Pets and Accessories

There are so many awesome Elf on the Shelf accessories. Did you know that you can buy outfits for your elf? Even pets!

Most importantly, have fun and remember, you’re the mom, you are the one in control. Don’t let the Elf on the Shelf steal your Christmas spirit!

So tell me busy mom, do you love or loathe the Elf on the Shelf? What are your best Elf on the Shelf ideas?