I have to admit it. In years past we have not been that creative with our Elf on the Shelf. He has jumped from room to room, and that is about it. I’ve often wondered who are these parents who create elaborate scenes with their elves? Do they not sleep?
This year, I’m determined to have a little more fun with this dude. I’m not talking about going over the edge crazy. But I think it’s time to mix it up a bit. So to get me inspired, and hopefully you as well, I pulled together 50 Elf on the Shelf ideas. Just pick a couple to do this year. Why should the kids have all of the fun?
But not everything was an Elf Fail! Every week this season, I’m going to share what our elf has been up to. And for even more fun things to do with your Elf on the Shelf, check out:
- Forgot to Move the Elf? Elf on the Shelf Ideas Week No. 1
- That Mischievous Elf! Elf on the Shelf Ideas Week No. 2
- Elf Fail! Elf on the Shelf Week No. 3
Looking for more great Christmas ideas? Be sure to check out my collection of Christmas Crafts and Activities for the entire family.
Do you need your own Elf on the Shelf? He (or she) is easy to get. Just click HERE. And if you’re confused by this whole Elf on the Shelf thing, read up on it HERE.
Photocopy | Flickr: Photo Credit
Spa Day| Flickr: Photo Credit
Morning Coffee | A Few Short Cuts
.jpg "Mustache Elf on the Shelf. Click for more ideas! #elfontheshelf")
Mustache Photo Op | Adventures of a Mamarazzi
Swinging on Toilet Paper Roll | A Small Snippet
Scrabble | Flickr: Photo Credit
Building Blocks | Snippets from Suburbia
Marshmallow Bath | Snippets from Suburbia
Making Friends | Flickr: Photo Credit
Want a Donut? | Flickr: Photo Credit
Lounging at the Beach | Home Stories A to Z
Being Carried Off | Snippets from Suburbia
Cookies Anyone? | Snippets from Suburbia
Elves are Your Friends | Flickr: Photo Credit
Mater and Lightning McQueen Reindeer | Flickr: Photo Credit
Paper Snowflakes | Flickr: Photo Credit
Nativity | Flickr: Photo Credit
Snowman in the Freezer | Flickr: Photo Credit
Lifting Weights | Snippets from Suburbia
Let Down Your Hair | Snippets from Suburbia
Mirror Mirror on the Wall | Flickr: Photo Credit
Sharing Coffee with a Friend | Snippets from Suburbia
Fishing | Rocking my 365 Project
Flickr: Photo Credit
Attack of the Lego People | Picklehead Soup
Tissue Box Bed | Home Stories A to Z
In the Car | Patricia’s Daughter
Reading ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas | Patricia’s Daughter
Cleaning Up | A Few Short Cuts
.jpg "Caught Red Handed Elf on the Shelf. Click for more ideas! #elfontheshelf")
Caught Red Handed | Adventures of a Mamarazzi
Happy Snowmen | Mom Vs the Boys
Drawing on Photos | Snippets from Suburbia
Jousting | Snippets from Suburbia
Dominoes | Flickr: Photo Credit
Flickr: Photo Credit
Balloons | Rocking My 365 Project
Getting His Santa On | Rocking My 365 Project
Need more Elf inspiration? Check out the following affiliate links:
Amy @Consider Me Inspired says
November 26, 2013 at 8:00 amThanks for sharing all of these. I have decided to go with getting an Elf on the Shelf this year. We are excited. I just wish AC Moore would hurry and put there 50% or 55% coupon good on sale items out and I am going to get one. Barnes and Nobles is doing 20% right now…so hopefully we will get our elf, Hiijacks MeMoney soon!
Amy @Consider Me Inspired says
November 26, 2013 at 8:01 amThanks for sharing all of these. I have decided to go with getting an Elf on the Shelf this year. We are excited. I just wish AC Moore would hurry and put their 50% or 55% coupon good on sale items out and I am going to get one. Barnes and Nobles is doing 20% right now…so hopefully we will get our elf, Hiijacks MeMoney soon!
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Jennifer says
December 10, 2013 at 10:47 amHow’s the Elf on the Shelf going? That first year can take a while to get the creative juices flowing! I’m posting new ideas every week — our elf Peppermint Stick is one active dude 🙂
Maria Iemma says
November 26, 2013 at 8:13 amI love it! Your creativity astounds me. I specially like the elf swinging on an empty toilet paper roll!! LOL
Jennifer says
December 10, 2013 at 10:48 amSo glad you like the ideas! Have you tried any? Would love to hear how it’s going this year with your elf.
Christy Garrett @ Uplifting Families says
November 26, 2013 at 11:32 amGreat ideas, you should check out my blog for some great ideas. I posted pictures of my Elf last year. He will be returning shortly.
Adelien says
November 26, 2013 at 11:48 amWhat very cute elves. I just heard about Elf on the Shelf right now. The warm smile of the elves will make people forget how suffered they are. Thanks for sharing.
Elena reed says
November 26, 2013 at 11:53 amThanks for sharing, you have been really helpful
L.C. Mortimer says
November 26, 2013 at 11:54 amReally cute ideas! Looks like you guys have a great time with this 🙂
tara pittman says
November 26, 2013 at 12:31 pmI love the Elf on the shelf. My kids would love finding him everyday.
Jeanette says
November 26, 2013 at 1:54 pmHaha…so many and cute pictures.
Jennifer Peaslee says
November 26, 2013 at 2:02 pmOMG this is the cutest thing ever. I’ve never done Elf on the Shelf, and this post definitely made me want to this year!
Jennifer says
December 10, 2013 at 10:48 amJennifer — Did you end up doing the Elf on the Shelf this year? Hope it’s going well and that your kiddo(s) are having fun!
Malia says
November 26, 2013 at 2:08 pmGreat ideas! I’ll have to try some of these with our elf this year.
Adventures of a Mamarazzi Blog says
November 26, 2013 at 9:46 pmGreat ideas! Thank you for sharing mine! 🙂
Rosey says
November 28, 2013 at 9:43 pmThese are great, I love the beard. 🙂
Sheena @ thekeeperofthecheerios.blogspot.com says
November 29, 2013 at 2:17 pmoh my gosh such cute ideas, I cant wait to try some of these out with my kids, thank you for sharing, now following you
Sheena @ http://thekeeperofcheerios.blogspot.com/
Jennifer says
December 10, 2013 at 10:49 amSheena — Have you tried any of the new ideas yet? I love hearing what people like/don’t like 🙂
C.K. at 50daysofnogrey says
November 29, 2013 at 4:41 pmI love the Elf on the Shelf ideas and will be using some of them for our own elf this year. It is such fun for the kids to wake up and look for the elf!
Jennifer says
December 10, 2013 at 10:49 amOoo! Let me know which ones you try 🙂
Miriam says
November 30, 2013 at 10:47 pmThese are great ideas….you had me laughing on some of them can’t wait to try some of these
Jennifer says
December 10, 2013 at 10:50 amMiriam — Which ones have you tried so far? I’m posting new poses each week — our elf Peppermint Stick is especially busy this season!
otilia says
December 3, 2013 at 11:51 amyour photos make me laugh. i love the one with lifting weights!
#pinitparty
Chrystal M. says
December 3, 2013 at 2:18 pmThanks! After doing this for a few years I am always looking for inspirational ideas!
Jennifer says
December 10, 2013 at 10:51 amYeah. I got a bit stale last year. Toward the end I was just moving him from room to room. I’m posting new poses each week so be sure to check for them. (Our elf Peppermint Stick is one busy guy.)
HPMcQ says
December 3, 2013 at 4:09 pmthis has really made me chuckle! #pinitparty
Nicole says
December 4, 2013 at 11:10 amWhere did you get the mini Starbucks coffee cups?? I’ve looked everywhere!!
Tiffany says
December 4, 2013 at 12:51 pmWhat great ideas! I love the toilet paper roll swing! LOL
Ritchil says
December 4, 2013 at 1:33 pmHow fun! I love all these ideas! Last year my son’s kindergarten class had an elf in the shelf and they named it Star. All the kids loved it!
Jennifer says
December 10, 2013 at 10:51 amI’ve never heard of a classroom having an elf. What a fun idea!
md Kennedy says
December 6, 2013 at 6:45 amWhat a riot! I am not quite sure I get the EOTS thing, so I will read up. But my favorite is the most simple: stuffing the guy in a glass in the glass cupboard!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
December 8, 2013 at 4:40 amThis must have taken you AGES to put together, but I’m glad you did because I’ve got Alfred the Elf here right now and need to make him do more cheeky things I think!!
Jennifer says
December 10, 2013 at 10:52 amHow’s Alfred doing? I’m keeping our elf, Peppermint Stick, on his toes!
Kriss MacDonald says
December 8, 2013 at 10:20 pmI have to admit I had no clue about the Elf on the Shelf until last week *feeble smile* but am very tempted to get one now I see all these ideas *big smile.*
#learnthroughplayhop
Jennifer says
December 10, 2013 at 10:53 amNo feeble smiles 🙂 The Elf on the Shelf is a bit of a cult that became popular in the last decade. I didn’t know about it until my sister-in-law told me about it. Did you end up getting an elf?
Dagmar ~ Dagmar's Home says
December 11, 2013 at 8:45 pmOMG, they are all so great! The one about being carried off is my favorite 🙂
Lisa Jones says
December 12, 2013 at 10:40 pmLMBO!!! bsolutely Great Ideas!!!! LOL!
Kerstynn Sitzmann says
April 10, 2014 at 7:47 pmI saw ALOT of funny ones. Most of them made me say LOL.
Lucy says
December 4, 2016 at 9:47 pmhahaha I love these. My kids will love these as well I’m sure. Being carried off is cute. Great collection. Well done