If your elf game is more half-arsed than Insta-worthy, sign in here...

[Acunningruse]

...I'm already looking for ways to cut down on the prep for these little bastards (the elves, not the kids, although...)

Googling Elf arrival ideas included lots of elves inside balloons which just makes my mind boggle as to the logistics.

Ours will probably "bring breakfast" and have pancakes wtc for a North Pole breakfast, like they do every year🙈

Anyone else?

Ours just hides around the house. The most complex ot gets is suspending it from the ceiling with ribbon.

Checking in! Thanks OP

Ours just arrives sitting on the sofa in the playroom with the advent calendar

We have a ton of Christmas books that come down from the loft and I was debating just having the elf bring a differ3nt book in a festive drawstring bag for bedtime each night - element of surprise without having to thinking of thing for the elf to do, means I won't get stuck reading the same book each evening and no extra cost as have the books already.

Mine goes into DS's room while he's asleep and changes his duvet cover to his Christmas duvet cover and then hangs out with his advent calendar till morning.

@WhyDoesItAlways I'm taking it you have two duvets? What a magical experience to wake up like that!

Just the one. I stick a blanket over him so he doesn't wake from the temperature change, do a quick change of duvet cover then stick the duvet back on.

He's a very sound sleeper but I may have to get another duvet as he gets older because I am getting paranoid I'll get caught!

@WhyDoesItAlways I admire your skill!

November 30th an elf door appears on the wall outside of their bedroom. 1st December the elves are sat in front of it holding chocolate of some kind.
It's the rest of the month I'm concerned about. My children, who forget where they left their shoes, remember every little thing the elves have ever done and do not take to duplication kindly.

I don't know how many years I've done this bliddy elf now. DD is 11 and said she knows it's me but still wants me to do it 🙄

On the 1st the elves arrive with her advent calendar, and I usually do the duvet cover swap at some point. In primary we used to arrange on the class whatsapp group to all wrap the kids' packed lunches up in wrapping paper so when they opened their packed lunch bags there was much hilarity. I don't think DD will appreciate that in secondary.

Love the Elf’s!

They arrive with Advent calendars and what ever else we put out, last year was themed PJs & slippers. After that they do all sorts and not necessarily high maintenance stuff, lots of sneaking snacks, watching movies, partying with other toys, riding santas sleigh (Christmas decoration). Sometimes they bring extra Christmas themed gifts throughout the month, new headbands for Christmas jumper day, colouring books etc…

I peaked too soon with my elf game and the kids can barely remember some of the winning jaunts that little fucker got up to. Even DH got involved and it became proper elaborate...elf stealing the car with downloaded naughty elf noises. Last year they (yes we have three of the bastards) left out gold coins each morning, that's as good as it got.

The elves (not elf’s!!!) could just kind of be added in to already existing things routinely done in December- eg

Bring advent calendar
Arrange a “North Pole breakfast” as elaborate or simple as you like- a few candy canes stuck in hot chocolate could suffice with normal breakfast!
Bring a new decoration for the day the tree goes up.
Surprise kids with a Xmas themed book or two on different nights depending on your Xmas book collection.
Make Xmas cards
Help post cards
Wrap presents for family
Go Xmas shopping
Go to see garden centre Santa or similar (elf could have a letter telling or inviting them there)
Chocolate coin treasure hunt
Watch a Xmas movie (elf could have popcorn etc)
Bring Xmas PJs

I am proud to say my older kids are 17, 15 and I have never had a damn elf in the house. Screw that. They aren't emotionally damaged as a result. I now have a 1 year old an I won't be getting her an elf either. HOWEVER.......my admiration to all the parents who are able to manage to find new elf adventures every night!! Fair play to you all!!!

We're trying a elf kit book this year, looks quite simple to cut out and set up.

We're done with the elf - so happy about that - but in the spirit of helping others with the struggle some of the things I did that were a hit were:
using a covid mask as an elf hammock on the christmas tree
cutting out the face on a pringles tube and having the elf peeking out (this has the bonus of having to eat crisps)
using toilet rolls to turn it into a snowman
we also did some more elaborate things ....had it zip sliding from the christmas tree and one year we put it in a confetti balloon (tricky, you need a big balloon)
but the first ones are all pretty easy....

Where did you buy the Christmas duvets from?! Brilliant idea!

I think it was from matalan or the range. Similar to this:

www.matalan.co.uk/home-accessories/catherine-lansfield-kids-bedding-santa-s-christmas-wonderland-glow-in-the-dark-duvet-cover-set/14918137.html

We were gifted ours! (Thanks a lot for that😄) At least half the time I forget to move it. When I do it is usually climbing the Christmas tree or sliding down the bannisters! I did get her to feed the rubber ducks last year which I thought was good! 😂

Just checking in. We have a 13 year old with sen who still believes and Is already requesting the naughty elves.

I love this idea!

I only started with the elf last year as my eldest (then 5) kept saying all his friends had one.

I didn't introduce him on the 1st though, we do Xmas Eve style boxes on the last day of school under the tree so that's when the elf comes too.

You can get kits on Etsy - each day’s elf activity and the supplies are packaged up and all you have to do is put it out when you wake up in a cold sweat at 1am because you’ve forgotten again.

We got one elf who just visits to have fun and be naughty- although ours takes herself off now for a few nights at a time (when we can't be arsed). Also goesnt rock up until 5th or 6th now. Used to do more with her, but now kids are older, and I think they always knew she was just a bit of fun. She has raced other cuddlies on our reindeer decorations, played them at mini elf sized connect 4, been in the fridge door with half eaten babybel, put pants (clean obv) all over the xmas tree, tied other cuddlies up, drawn on the bananas & oranges, zip wired across the living room, and my favourite is the time she wrapped the kitchen up and also and utility toilet - room adjoining the kitchen. Wrapping paper (loosely) over the cupboards, kettle, toaster, table and chairs, loo and across the doors into the rooms! And most paper (not the loo covering bits) were re used if in OK condition.