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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Can we have an elves idea sharing thread?

81 replies

MrBigsCat · 30/11/2023 21:48

This may be my last year of kids believing in magic so want to commit to this!!
can we share our simple elf ideas here please?
im always stumped after the 5th 😂
mine tonight is them sitting beside the calendars and a set of Xmas pjs for each dc so nothing imaginative tonight
share your favourites?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
JaxiiTaxii · 02/12/2023 22:44

Ours made a right mess cutting his name out.

We have a different (yet suspiciously similar looking) elf each year who arrives in the trunk of the Christmas tree and reveals his name in a usually very messy way 🙄

Can we have an elves idea sharing thread?
VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 03/12/2023 00:34

Broodywuz · 02/12/2023 22:35

Oh really, damn it that would be so much easier, our elf came with a letter saying if you touch me I'll loose my magic.

Ours has the book that says the same, but some how that message was lost along the way.

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 03/12/2023 00:34

@JaxiiTaxii thats really cute. Not so much when you’re hoovering. But cute!

jesterdourt · 03/12/2023 00:38

We’ve never bought into the elf can’t be touched rule.

doesn’t it specify this in the book?

jesterdourt · 03/12/2023 00:39

Does no one just chuck their elf in places eg on the shelf, in the cupboard without mess, treats, messages etc? Is that just me?!

AhBiscuits · 03/12/2023 07:04

Our wrote ELVES RULE on the bathroom mirror in toothpaste.
DD commented on how both things have been in the bathroom. I need to mix it up.

DS keeps talking about when they made a nice breakfast one year (I didn't do that last year) so I might do that again soon. I made a Christmas tree out of fruit and santa faces on pancakes and stuff. He enjoyed that. DD only really likes it when they're naughty.

IggyAce · 03/12/2023 07:17

It’s my 10th year this year and despite my dcs been older and have known the truth for several years the elf is still expected, so just a warning he maybe for life not just a few Christmases.
Some of our easy & cheap ideas:

Shoe train, round up a few other soft toys and shoes.

flour angel

Sticking goggley eyes on all the photos on display.

hide in the Christmas tree

if your child takes pack lunch, wrap up the contents in wrapping paper.

MsSquiz · 03/12/2023 07:29

My girls are almost 4 and 1.5 so our elves aren't too naughty. We also have the jellycat elves as they're less creepy!

Ours arrived sitting on the box of Christmas books (that comes out each year) with matching Christmas pjs and their advent calendars.

Yesterday the elves were reading a story to some of the cuddly toys in the playroom and today they were sitting on the brio train set with tickets to go to the Polar express this afternoon.

They will also:
Have a tea party with some dolls
Steal chocolate from the Christmas tree
Slide down the bannister
Use the iPad to take photos of them playing in the playroom
Bring tickets to any Christmas events we have (seeing Santa & Christmas lights)

When they leave, they leave a note along with Christmas Eve pjs and our stockings to hang up before we go to bed

merryandbrightdelight · 03/12/2023 07:35

Ginny26 · 01/12/2023 22:56

Low effort idea for the tired Mum's 😅

Love this!

Thereisnoname · 03/12/2023 08:53

Agree with previous poster and use other toys/dollshouse etc to set the scene.

Our elf is also not a particularly naughty one ( as I can't be bothered half the time and don't want the mess) and often brings gifts so far his brought Christmas books and put elf lights on the kids mini Christmas trees.

Bit more organising but he'll play jenga with kit kats and hungry hippos ( kinder hippo biscuits and m and m's that was really popular)
He'll also cook breakfast one day,fried egg and percy pig sweets in a pan for bacon and eggs.

Other problem is our elf can't be touched so wherever he is put he has to stay there all day in situ.

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 03/12/2023 09:06

jesterdourt · 03/12/2023 00:38

We’ve never bought into the elf can’t be touched rule.

doesn’t it specify this in the book?

It does. But somehow that rules been forgotten, we’ve been doing it for over 10 years now so the book stopped being read after year 1/2

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 03/12/2023 10:12

IggyAce · 03/12/2023 07:17

It’s my 10th year this year and despite my dcs been older and have known the truth for several years the elf is still expected, so just a warning he maybe for life not just a few Christmases.
Some of our easy & cheap ideas:

Shoe train, round up a few other soft toys and shoes.

flour angel

Sticking goggley eyes on all the photos on display.

hide in the Christmas tree

if your child takes pack lunch, wrap up the contents in wrapping paper.

I’ve joked about having to break into my adult children’s house

RainbowZebraWarrior · 03/12/2023 11:06

jesterdourt · 03/12/2023 00:39

Does no one just chuck their elf in places eg on the shelf, in the cupboard without mess, treats, messages etc? Is that just me?!

Yes, that's pretty much me most of the time. They do occasionally bring treats and I also have a board that they write messages on. Most of the time though, I'm too tired for anything that takes effort. This morning, they were snuggled up under DDs heated blanket playing on her Nintendo switch (took me about 30 seconds)

Love the toasting marshmallows pair!

CoffeeChocolateWine · 03/12/2023 11:15

We've never done the 'elf can't be touched' thing either. Our elf gets cuddled and taken everywhere and comes on every festive day out! My DC also take it in turns to take him to bed with the Very Important Job of making sure he does not get up to mischief during the night...it creates even more laughs in the morning when they realise they have failed in their duty! And very occasionally we let them succeed and it gives us a night off finding something funny to do!

MrBigsCat · 03/12/2023 11:39

Is it just me that feels itchy about trying to clean toothpaste off stuff the next day! 😂

OP posts:
MrBigsCat · 03/12/2023 11:40

My dc play with the elves all day and leave them by the tree at night and they come alive and get up to mischief when they are asleep. Kind of always done it that way.
When they were young it was more hide the elf and now they are older they do more naughty stuff too. Plus mine now has a girlfriend and a baby so he’s grown up now in his old age and settled down

OP posts:
Museum10660 · 03/12/2023 20:16

@MrBigsCat would you prefer my own ideas op or a generated list of ideas ?
ive asked as i do not want to put the generated list if no one wants it,

MrBigsCat · 04/12/2023 09:06

Museum10660 · 03/12/2023 20:16

@MrBigsCat would you prefer my own ideas op or a generated list of ideas ?
ive asked as i do not want to put the generated list if no one wants it,

I’ve done all the classic ones you see online etc
my oldest is 12 so I got him so I’ve done this a good few years.
im interested in any different ones you may have also with minimal effort/mess and props!

OP posts:
Museum10661 · 04/12/2023 22:06

MrBigsCat · 04/12/2023 09:06

I’ve done all the classic ones you see online etc
my oldest is 12 so I got him so I’ve done this a good few years.
im interested in any different ones you may have also with minimal effort/mess and props!

Classic Arrival:
Have the Elf on the Shelf make a grand entrance on the first day, perhaps with a note welcoming the family to the holiday season.

Reading a Book:
Place the elf next to a tiny book, pretending to read or getting ready to read a holiday story.

Gift-Wrapping Helper:
Stage the elf with a small roll of wrapping paper and some tiny presents, showcasing its efforts in gift-wrapping.

Cookie Jar Mischief:
Position the elf near the cookie jar, with a few cookies in hand or a note explaining that he couldn't resist the temptation.

Snow Angels Indoors:
If you have artificial snow, create mini snow angels on a countertop or table with the elf lying down beside them.

Toy Tea Party:
Arrange a tea party with the elf and some miniature toys or dolls, using small cups and saucers.

Elf Artist:
Set up a tiny easel and paint palette for the elf, along with a note about creating holiday masterpieces.

Toothpaste Prank:
The elf squeezes out a small amount of toothpaste onto the bathroom counter, leaving a note about wanting to brush up on good hygiene.

Marshmallow Bath:
Fill a small container with marshmallows and place the elf inside, pretending to take a marshmallow bath.

Zip-lining Adventure:
Use string or dental floss to create a zip line across a room, with the elf hanging on for an adventurous ride.

Balloon Bouquet:
Tie a few miniature balloons to the elf and leave a note about spreading joy and cheer.

North Pole Mail:
Position the elf next to a tiny mailbox filled with letters or drawings from the children, suggesting they're on their way to Santa.

Candy Cane Swing:
Attach a candy cane to a string, creating a swing for the elf to enjoy.
Elf Movie Night:

Set up a mini movie night with the elf surrounded by popcorn and a tiny TV, perhaps showcasing a holiday film.

Fishing for Goldfish:
Place the elf next to a small bowl of goldfish crackers with a mini fishing rod, as if it's fishing for snacks.

Snowball Fight:
Create a scene with the elf surrounded by tiny cotton ball "snowballs" and a note about a friendly snowball fight.

Hiding in the Christmas Tree:
Tuck the elf into the branches of the Christmas tree, peeking out mischievously.

Magic Seeds:
Leave a small packet of "magic seeds" next to the elf with instructions for the kids to plant and see what grows overnight.

Musical Elf:
Set up a small musical instrument or toy instruments around the elf, suggesting a musical performance.

Hot Cocoa Stand:
Create a small hot cocoa stand with the elf serving marshmallows and cocoa to other toys.

Ginny26 · 04/12/2023 23:22

We're still ridiculously low maintenance over here

Can we have an elves idea sharing thread?
Can we have an elves idea sharing thread?
Can we have an elves idea sharing thread?
RainbowZebraWarrior · 05/12/2023 07:59

@Museum10661 thanks for the bath idea. I had this bath from a pamper hamper and some packing peanuts in a box from Christmas decs, so that was an easy one for me.

Can we have an elves idea sharing thread?
MrBigsCat · 05/12/2023 13:23

Love the tin foil wraps I will do that tonight!!

OP posts:
FoxInABox · 05/12/2023 21:04

Ours wrapped up Ds packed lunch last year- he didn’t know until he opened it in school. DS Just saw the elf in the morning with some wrapping paper and scissors but didn’t know what he had done until it got to lunchtime!

Museum10662 · 05/12/2023 21:05

RainbowZebraWarrior · 05/12/2023 07:59

@Museum10661 thanks for the bath idea. I had this bath from a pamper hamper and some packing peanuts in a box from Christmas decs, so that was an easy one for me.

your welcome, glad it helped

fruitsalad87 · 05/12/2023 23:17

Our elves have done a Barbie spa tonight, frozen peas on their eyes, face masks and a hammock.

They did an elf potion yesterday, reindeer milk, moon she and magic herbs (milk / green food dye / sprinkles)

I'm going to do plant an orange tomorrow and a Terrys chocolate orange the day after.

Some of the school mums were talking about how they don't have elves and have never started it this morning. I've never been so jealous in my life.

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