Alternatives to elf on the shelf

[Alanamackree]

I’m reluctantly considering an elf this year. I was hoping to find one that was a bit nicer than the official one or the poundshop copies. I don’t mind adding wire myself to the arms and legs. But I haven’t seen any nice elves anywhere.
Anyone come across an attractive non creepy elf?

Oh God don't. We've always had a delivery on Christmas Eve from the Elves. They leave a bag for both DC and in the bag are new PJs, a new Christmas mug, candy cane. marshmallows and something like a colouring book and felts or a puzzle or similar.

They LOVE these bloody elf bags and they're not little children any more. If you start the whole elf on the shelf thing you will be stuck doing it for YEARS.

My youngest briefly asked "Why don't we have an elf on the shelf" and I said "Because we have a delivery on Christmas Eve" and left it at that!

Depending on the age of your DC:

www.etsy.com/uk/listing/483226919/the-kindness-elves-set-classic-original?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_uk_en_gb_b-toys_and_games-toys-dolls_and_action_figures-dolls-other&utm_custom1=158a0531-e2e0-4616-b86d-506ab241861e&utm_content=go_325941528_49873445002_230334608045_aud-537409439212:pla-316646169271_c__483226919engb&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2o_fBRC8ARIsAIOyQ-lWkMqkitDldz7-CxPp0pVie1tgD0gmM-5aMokO-MlANwr4hRJs4fIaAm7mEALw_wcB

These ones are more about doing good deed rather than being creepy.

I got this set of two elves. I'll either give one to the grandparents, or have one in the kitchen and another in the living room! www.argos.co.uk/product/7196838

Reindeer on the roof!

We’ve got one a bit like this, but he’s a friendly little elf who arrives on the 1st December with a Christmas jumper and a cookie and likes to be played with. He occasionally hides in the tree or chocolate bowl, but no tricks!

I’m pretty sure dd knows it’s me, but she still talks about Elfie arriving.

www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qs_product_tbp?storeId=10001&catalogId=10051&langId=100&productId=642562&cm_mmc=Google%20Adwords--PLA--Santa%27s+Little+Elf%3A+Book+and+Plush+Set---CT0710&utm_source=shopping_google&utm_content=mkwid_ZbEkchFO-dm_pcrid_194445549789_pkw__pmt__prodid_CT0710&pgrid=39905914502&ptaid=aud-557602847998:pla-367961383869&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiOb18rzF3gIVypPtCh0JKA2jEAQYAyABEgKCNPD_BwE

We have a Maileg pixie.

www.trouva.com/products/maileg-mini-pixy-toy-2?currency=gbp&utm_source=googleshoppingUK&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=1347322226&utm_content=59839229248&utm_term=&targeting=pla-438266826138&device=m&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2o_fBRC8ARIsAIOyQ-m3vj1HXESphch_5bOz1hsCe7QZ3OoFCw3wq7TRkjyBFIezHTk0iEAaAkWcEALw_wcB

We have an advent calendar and an advent candle. And one of those chalkboard whatsits to count down the days...

Before elf on a shelf was even a thing we had Mary the Christmas fairy! She was elusive though so we never saw her but she was a little minx and sometimes left little notes in a special bauble on the Christmas tree as well as getting up to some occasional mischief. Not every night (couldn't be arsed) it obviously depended how busy she was checking on other children too

If we didn't already have the official elf on the shelf, I would so be getting my dc the jellycat elf.
www.jellycat.com/leffy-elf-lef2e/

We got our elf on etsy.

I presume you aren't in Ireland? Dunnes have some cute ones if you are.

Lovely suggestions thank you.
(Never thought to check Dunnes)
I’ve given it a bit more thought and decided that it’s probably not such a good idea after all for various reasons. Love the idea of the kindness elves particularly. But I really wish I hadn’t clicked on the jellycat one cos I want him for myself

I’ve just read this thread, and was hoping for some nice ideas. I too like the idea of the Kindness Angel. I clicked on the jelly cat elf, and after much searching, I found the Snowflake Elf (also Jellycat). It’s a lovely white clothed elf. I’ve bought it - obviously (no willpower 🙄). I’m going to use it as a Kindness Elf since it looks so different from the usual red and green elf. A note with some chocolate coins on 1st December saying the elf will bring nice things a different times in December if the kids are good (nothing big, December is expensive enough!). Gets me out of the nightly brainwracking I’ve done the last few years!

www.jellyexpress.co.uk/christmas/snowflake-elf.html?kw=&ci=46070508174&network=g&pm=&cid=192403254&aid=13355383734&tid=pla-94857296666&dev=m&mt=&lim=&lpm=9046344&pos=1o2&dm=&fid=&mid=9371835&pid=SF2E&country=GB&source=google&gclid=CjwKCAiA_ZTfBRBjEiwAN6YG4aQQvtexnQU5YMjbR5pApA1gwGWh31Ar5iqE90XJctL0gS67BGvmchoCRD0QAvD_BwE

We have a fabric advent calendar with pockets, which means I can leave notes (to do a treasure hunt around the house, say, to a small advent calendar sized present or just daily chocolate somewhere else), rolled up free printable colouring or activity sheets (DLTK, Activity Village, Santa Update or homeschooling sites tend to be good resources for these), or a note or even tickets to something to do later that day (Santa train day, Christmas Shopping day, Movie day etc).

Or just leave the daily chocolate (I buy nets in Aldi or M&S of little Santa/Snowmen figures usually) in the pocket.

Far far easier than trying to think up mischief and remember to move an elf nightly.

Disney Store do their version of elf on a shelf which is Stitch from Lilo and Stitch. He can be naughty or nice and comes with a story book.

A raven? I believe that they're 40p at Argos....