“Elf on the shelf” is something that has grown to become more and more popular over the years. Its origins can be found from an illustrated children’s book, which came with a scout elf. This was created by Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell and has expanded and grown since then. The way it works is as follows. You adopt a scout elf, and their job is to be Santa’s lookout during the festive season. At the end of the day, the elf goes back to the North Pole, reporting on the behaviour of yourself and your family. The elf will then return in the morning, always in a new place. Sometimes they can be really naughty, and that’s where this post comes in.
I’m going to share 13 simple ‘elf on the shelf’ ideas that you can do for your family. I like to think that all of these are relatively simple and are something that anyone can achieve. Of course, there may be some that you can’t do which is why I’m sharing a few ideas. Let’s get to it!
1) Sorry I ate your food in the fridge
A very simple one. If you happen to finish some food in the fridge that’s in a wrapper like a chocolate bar, put the wrapper back in the fridge with the elf and a message saying “Sorry, I got hungry!”
2) I wanted to draw and knocked your pens over
If you’re like me and you have a lot of pens, knock them over and place the elf in the middle with some paper, a half done drawing, and a note saying “Oops! I wanted to draw but your pens went everywhere!”
3) I ironed your crisps for you
My Mum actually told me this idea that she saw and I thought it was brilliant. For this one, you will need your elf and two crisps. The key to making this work though is you will need straight crisps (like Walkers Ready Salted) and crinkle crisps (like Walkers Baked Crisps). Place the elf in the middle and have a note saying “I ironed your crisps for you!”
4) I thought you switched the lights on up here
This is a really simple one. Place the elf on top of the light shade with a note saying “I thought the switch for the light was up here!”
5) Sorry, I thought these post-it notes were stickers
I did this last year for my cousin to see with my family. We stuck post-it notes all over our kitchen cupboards, worktops, fridge, etc. Basically, anywhere where we could stick them! We kept a pile of post-it notes to the side and put the elf on top. You can also write a little message on there too!
6) I wanted to know what this printer does
I think this one is hilarious. However, this will only work if you have a printer that has a scanner. You need to put the elf on the scanner and leave it on there. Once it’s scanned, print a bunch of photos out and there you go!
7) I ran a bath for you
Another simple one if you have a bath. Simply run a bath and place the elf on the side! You could also do this with a shower. Leave the shower running and place the elf either inside (although it might get wet) or to the side!
8) I got hungry
If you have any cereal that you’ve finished, don’t throw away the box. Place the elf in the box with a note saying “Sorry! I got hungry.”
9) I just got back on the train
This is a fun one to do. You’ll need a few pairs of shoes, maybe 3 or 4 in total. Place them in a single line, with the elf sitting in the shoe at the front, making a shoe train!
10) I wrote you a letter
Another simple one this. Get some paper and write a random letter addressed to a family member you’re doing these elf on the shelf ideas for. I would said disguising your writing somewhat as well!
11) I borrowed your makeup
This can be a simple one but I’m going to make it a little more complex. You’re going to get some makeup out. Perhaps the makeup you use everyday. Scatter it around to make it look like it’s been used. Then, get a face wipe or whatever you use to take your makeup off and either place some makeup on there or wipe your makeup off and leave it next to the makeup.
12) I took a selfie
Again, a simple one. Simply take a photo of the elf on your phone as if it were talking a selfie. You can either leave the phone unlocked or scroll through your camera roll in front of the family member and discover it then!
13) I’m ready to go
If you have a car, place the elf in the seat with the seatbelt done up!
And that’s it! I hope you managed to get some ideas to use for your elf on the shelf! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to read this post and I will see you tomorrow for another one!
Beth
Beth Olivia 