Due date and elf on the shelf...

[OnNaturesCourse]

Looking for any advice from parents who had/have a due date around Christmas and also juggle a elf on the shelf..

I'm due 5 days before Xmas and it's possible I will be a section, or have some time in hospital. Liklihood is other DCs will stay at grandparents most of this time however I'm looking for easy to do ideas for the Elf in the lead up and in the aftermath of birth - something I could even write down and leave for DH/other babysitters to do. (in case DCs end up being watched at home instead)

I've always gone super big with the Elf, he brings weekly letters and gifts, and gets up different things each day. My eldest in particular adores him but is very clued in to things so the magic could be easily spoiled if the Elf suddenly stopped, or things changed.

Why can't your husband figure it out?

Take the elf with you if you go into hospital (he wants to meet the new baby) and take cute photos which your husband can show the kids of the elf - elf next to the baby, elf trying on the baby's new hats or other little baby gifts, I dunno. You are unlikely to need loads as hopefully you won't be in hospital too long. It will give you something easy to think about while in hospital because, weirdly, being on a ward can actually be quite boring, while also simultaneously stressful (and in your case exciting).

(I'm not an elf on the shelf fan myself but can see that it's important to you and your kids, so apologies if this wouldn't work but it's all I can think of. It doesn't sound like it's your husband's type of thing, so probs easier to keep hold of it yourself. Plus might be nice for the kids to see fun pics from the hospital - sort of reassuring?)

Our elf had a baking disaster where they got stuck in a bag of flour. Another easy one was getting stuck in the bookcase. Also inside a giant bauble on the Christmas tree. Magic painting? Sat on the toilet with mini toilet rolls (kitchen roll cut and rolled up)? Stuck through the letter slot "keeping an eye out for Christmas cards"?

Jeez if you don’t like the elf, don’t do the elf, leave those of us who enjoy it alone!

OP the ones that go down well in our house generally involve pranking the Christmas tree… wrapping it in toilet paper, stealing all of DCs pants and hanging them on it. Also when he’s found sitting surrounded by junk food wrappers!

The best thing I did was repurpose a small bean bag (iPad stand) as a chair, up high on a shelf. That’s his default location, rather than having to faff with attaching him in different places!

Alternatively, there are lots of elf kits around, you could just buy one of them, makes your life easier when heavily pregnant too!

I had dd2 at the beginning of Dec. I knew it would be busy and noone would have their eyes on it. I bought a 12 day pack of activities and it saw us through until I was more able for it. I highly recommend it!

If there is an appropriate note, probably.

@UnderOverUp I got one of those kits last year but I'm sure I got some sort of weird knock off as half the stuff wouldn't work, or had only half the bits to do the activities. Was very strange. I managed to get some things from it but it has made me hesitant to get another. I'm not beyond making my own little kit up before December though - I have considered making a list of what Elf will be doing each day and organising the props into zip lock bags etc so it's easy just to pull out. Then having the "big one" like a holiday or broken leg etc on stand by for when I go into labour.

@OnNaturesCourse I am totally on board, I love doing the Elf - something I never had as a kid and I just love making it magical at Christmas for the kids and seeing their little faces. Some right Scrooges on here!

Anyway I came on to say what a PP has already said - I'd get one of those packs that has 24 ideas already sorted with accessories to do them with. Then whoever has the kids just follows the instructions on whatever night they have them!

One cool idea my friend had that I'd not thought of was they wrapped up their child's school uniform one morning instead of leaving clothes out :-D

@Snugglemonkey do you remember where you got the kit? I ended up with some weird knock off version that was missing bits etc last year

@Alittlebitwary have you bought one of the kits before? if so... where from?

I had the Elf make the school lunches once, and last year he had wrapped their sandwiches up in brown paper then wrapping paper so they got a surprise midday too. 😂

I think it's fine getting your husband to step up and take over, but absolutely not something you could reasonably ask of any other babysitters. If there's a chance that grandparents or others will be in charge, the elf needs to have a year off. Holiday, or having a baby, or elf prison or whatever.

@Fink thanks for your concern with it but the people who would care for my DCs would absolutely take up the challenge in order to keep the children happy... I doubt they'd even consider not doing it to be honest. I would never ask them to continue it in their own homes however as it can be messy/untidy.

No, sorry - but I probably saw ads on insta and Facebook. I'd look for UK based sellers on Etsy or something maybe? I'm having a similar thought as I'm away for Xmas this year so I was debating whether to take them or not!!
Few other ideas:
Elf frying fried eggs (haribo fried eggs) for breakfast
Drawing faces on things in marker pen (bananas / fruit in the bowl, on eggs in the box
Make a Toilet roll snowman
Toilet roll rolled across the living room
Going for a drive in the Barbie car
Elf sat waiting in the car in the drivers seat on the school/ nursery run
Make a train out of shoes, elf driving in the first shoe
Elf sleeping in dolls beds etc
Rice or flour or cereal snow angels

My kids are still little so tbh we do a lot of just hiding them in random places / hanging from lights in between the more funny ones and the kids just have to "find the elf" when they wake up!

Do you have framed family photos at home? A whiteboard pen to draw moustaches, black teeth, horns, eye patches etc on everyone would take two minutes for someone else to do.

Of course the elf would then be found holding the marker in the morning.

Awww bless you @OnNaturesCourse I think when a conversation goes into Active on Mumsnet we end up with grumpy bah humbug types on the Christmas forum who clearly are on the naughty list!

I would deffo go down your route of having stuff planned ahead, the zip loc bags are a good idea. I wonder if when you go into labour the elf could be left with a wee note and a suitable activity pack for the kids (unsure of ages) and maybe big brother/sister badges for them for the next day when the baby is born, plus some wee sweet treats (personalised lollies with big brother or big sister?). Then maybe the following day a card crafting kit if they’re old enough to do this with minimal help? Other post-baby days could include hot choc sachets, marshmallows, sprinkles and new mugs, popcorn packet for a movie night, a trip to the local garden centre (that a grandparent might agree to take them on and leave you to rest up with baby), baking kit, indoor snowballs are fab too and a lot of fun! A new book each, Xmas pjs, panto tickets… in amongst that the kind of joke things that you see on fb- pants on the tree, loo roll wrapped round something, messy flour somewhere to look like they were playing in snow, wrap their informs or shoes…
Have fun and I hope your wee December baby isn’t getting called Buddy?!? 😆

@fourelementary Aw thank you. I thought I'd avoid the scrooges by posting in the Christmas forum! I don't know why Elf haters would click on a Elf related post tbh.

Thank you for the ideas, I've noted them and lots of others from this thread down so I can organise them all and prep.

Just want to keep the magic alive as long as I can, and I'd hate to think the birth of a sibling ruined that magic especially for my eldest who is already so logical and hard to keep a believer.

Just looked it up, I bought a kit from “Christmas with the Elf made easy” on Facebook. Was happy with everything - there were a few I didn’t use because I didn’t think my kids would get it (a bit young) but I just popped those away for future use.

@OnNaturesCourse Santaverse stuff is decent quality. There is a vacation set, it has a passport and camera plus luggage might be ideal for you.

@9ToGoal oh, I will take a look. Thanks.

How about the elf comes early? Have an advent of your own through November as you prepare for your new baby, your elf could start with a letter to explain the early assessment. Maybe with a last minute extra visit once you’re all home again.

You can get official elf on the shelf branded 24 days activity kits on the big river site.

I love fourelementary big sibling badge idea that’s so sweet.

Maybe whilst you are away the Elf could bring some things to do - a craft kit or some colouring/sticker books or chocolate coins. Then all the person has to do is sit the Elf somewhere with the gift.

Porkypenguin have some elf cards/kits - small business in West Yorkshire.

We didn't do the elf. We lacked imagination and commitment! But if you have those I can see why kids (and adults ) love the elf!

Exactly. This is crazy, why can't a grown man and father think of a few things for the elf to do while his wife gives birth 🤦‍♀️