Elf on The Shelf - Day 1

[Sweetchildofmine19]

Hi all! Been a user of mumsnet for years but this is my first ever thread!

I’m looking to find out how people introduce the elf on the shelf to their kids for the first time and what they say about him? My little boy is 3 (also have a 1 year old but don’t think he’ll care much 😂) and I have bought the elf on the shelf to do this year for the first time. However I’ve no idea how to bring him out on the 1st for day 1. Do you just sit him next to the advent calendar for your kid to find as a surprise?

Any tips/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Yeah that's true!

I’m a teacher and a few years ago I did an elf in the classroom.
It backfired because one of the kids nicked it!!
That was a tricky one to deal with….. Has he just disappeared or is he in someone’s bag? If so, how did he get there etc etc
All sort of killed the vibe!

I sorta like it, sorta hate it. I always keep it simple though! One year I left it in my child's dolls house in her room and she was mega freaked out that he had been in her room while sleeping, so maybe don't do that haha

My dd barely noticed hers this morning her focus was purely on the advent calendar chocolate 😂

Love some of these replies, making me laugh 😂

So first day done! Kept it simple as everyone said and just sat him on the couch with their advent calendars. My 3 year old barely even noticed he was there, was too busy opening his advent! 😂

I just went to Poundland and bought a pack candy canes to do a trail or hearts with them and a pack of snowflakes to stick on window that we needed anyway, so that's two days sorted whilst I'm full of cold and CBA with too much effort

I have a 3 year old too. I've got a cuddly elf rather than one of the "official" ones. He was next to the advent calendar this morning and occasionally through the month he might bring a sticker book/cake decorating kit etc. We'll also leave Santa's letter next to him and it'll be gone my morning. Otherwise he'll sit by the fireplace. I'm not telling DS that he's magical. If he comes to that conclusion himself so be it! I can't decide whether I'm prepared to do this for the next 10 years (also have a baby DD) so we're doing "elf lite" this year to test the waters!

Playing with Daddys playstation, Elfie loves a bit of Fifa!

Some easy ones we've done- packets of crisps in the 'crispmas' tree

Haribo eggs in the frying pan

Cut out photos of Mr Bean on pieces of toast
Shoe train

Used a bra as a hammock

Wrapped Christmas tree in toilet paper
Flour snow angels
Sitting with musical instruments for a rock band
Sat on top of something high to escape the toy dinosaurs

Just set mine up.
It's a bit tedious but my kids absolutely love it.