42 Things to do with The Elf On The Shelf

[Updated December 1, 2020]  Don’t you just love The Elf On The Shelf?  I don’t even have kids and I love the story!  And I had to have my very own Elf even though I don’t have kids.  Because, after all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about – a little bit of magic?

Just in case you are unfamiliar with The Elf on the Shelf, here’s a brief introduction (this post contains affiliate links for your convenience.  Click here to read my full disclosure policy).

History of The Elf on the Shelf

Written in 2005 by mother and daughter team, Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell, The Elf on the Shelf book has become a Christmas classic.  A beautifully illustrated picture book (illustrated by Coe Steinwart), it tells the story of the Elves in rhyme and comes in a keepsake box along with an Elf.  On the introduction page, Carol explains how this adorable concept took flight – she created the story for her family when her children were young, as an explanation of how Santa knew if children were naughty or nice.  Now, more than 15 years later, The Elf on the Shelf is a phenomenon having sold more than 13 million copies around the world.

The Elf on the Shelf Rules (of Engagement)

• There are both male and female Scout Elves.
• The Elf’s adopted family names him or her.
• Every year, during Scout Elf Return Week (the week following Thanksgiving), the Elf returns from the North Pole to it’s adopted family for the holiday season.  Arrival dates are not set in stone, but the Elf tries to arrive by December 1st.
• The Scout Elf’s job is to watch the kids in the family and report back to Santa whether the child has been naughty or nice.
• The Elf reports to Santa Claus every evening flying back to the North Pole.
• The Elf returns in the wee hours of the morning and each day lands in a new spot in his/her adopted family’s home.
• Touching the Elf is a no-no.  If you touch the Elf, it’ll lose it’s magic powers and has to return back to the North Pole immediately leaving Santa Claus clueless about whether its family’s children have been naughty or nice!  So, don’t touch the Elf!!!
• The Elf doesn’t speak.  But, sometimes the Elf leaves notes in order to communicate with his/her adopted family.  Even though the Elf doesn’t speak, the Elf is a great listener.
• The Elf leaves on Christmas Eve to return back to the North Pole for the rest of the year.

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Is the Elf a part of your holiday fun?  Do you struggle with display ideas from year-to-year?  I’ve created a FREE printable eBook chockful of ideas just for my email subscribers.  So, don’t miss out!  Fill out the form above and download the eBook today!  Want to know what’s included in this amazing freebie?  Here’s a partial list:

• An Elf adoption certificate
• 142 ideas for displaying your Elf
• 42 full-color Elf designs for framing or to  use for crafting projects
• 18 Elf coloring pages
• 85 Pre-filled signs to display with your Elf (remember – the Elf doesn’t talk, so this is a communication tool!)
• And more!  I need to leave some of the contents a secret to keep the magic of the season going!

So, stop this minute (before you finish reading this post) and sign up!

The Elf has been known to arrive in numerous ways – sometimes by plane, train, or automobile, or in a sleigh or a sled, or you just wake up one morning and he/she is sleeping in your bed!

The Elf has been known to hide in your clothes.  Be sure to check the pockets of your favorite outfits both inside your closet and in your dresser drawers.

Be sure to check your shoes and boots before you put them on!  You never know if the Elf is hiding inside.

The Elf likes to be helpful, too.  Above is an Elf standing guard over wrapped presents under a Christmas tree.

Or plain ol’ mischievous!  The Elf above is leaning on a stack of presents that are wrapped but don’t have ribbons on them!  If you don’t finish wrapping your presents all in one sitting, it’s very possible that you might have to wait a day to put the ribbons on the gifts.  After all, you can’t touch the Elf, so this family had to wait until the next day to finish wrapping their gifts!

And how about this Elf?  He is sitting smack dab in the middle of the gift wrap and ribbons!  And, he had the audacity to sit inside one of the gift boxes!  Oh well!  Just have to take a break from wrapping presents and wait until tomorrow.

And this little guy is letting his family know that he loves this Christmas wreath so much that he couldn’t wait for his adopted family to hang it up!  Now they have to wait another day.

And, don’t forget to check all around your Christmas tree!  Not only can your Elf be in your tree, but he/she could also be on an ornament in your tree like this guy climbing a ladder.  Or he/she could be hiding under the Christmas tree, too!

Do you have Christmas decorations scattered here and there around your house?  Don’t forget to look for your Elf hiding around your other Christmas decorations.

And if you have a Christmas village display, don’t forget to look there, too!  Elves love villages – they remind him/her of home!

Here are a couple more fun inspirational ideas for your Elf:

Do you have a miniature grocery cart?  I got one at World Market a few years ago.  How cute would it be if The Elf on the Shelf leaned against this cart, sat inside the cart, or stood pushing the grocery cart?!

Do you have a gingerbread house this year?  How about the Elf posing nearby?

Better yet, if you have a miniature motorcycle, how cute would it be for the Elf to be standing beside it or riding on it?

Here are 42 Things to do with The Elf On The Shelf:

1. Elf conversing with a toy Santa.
2. Elf in the Christmas tree, hanging an ornament.
3. Elf in a birdhouse, bird feeder, or birdcage with a sign that says, “Feed the birds!”
4. Elf inside a Christmas stocking or inside the Elf’s own Christmas stocking.
5. Elf hanging from the front of your kitchen cabinet with a sign that says, “No peeking!”
6. Elf in a cereal box full of cereal – heads up:  they now make Elf on the Shelf cereal!
7. Elf in the pantry, next to the marshmallows and hot chocolate with a sign that says, “Time for hot chocolate!”
8. Elf hanging from a bedpost or a headboard.
9. Elf on a window ledge looking out the window.
10. Elf on a bookshelf or propped next to a Christmas book with a sign that says, “Read me a Christmas story.”
11. Elf on top of the kitchen cabinets peeking over the edge (this is doable if your kitchen cabinets don’t go to the ceiling).
12. Elf hugging a framed family portrait or a child’s photo.
13. Elf in a toy car on a road trip with a sign that says, “Road trip!”
14. Elf in the closet hanging from a hanger either from his/her hands or upside down from his/her bent knees like swinging from a trapeze.
15. Elf on top of a pillar candle holder or wrapped around a candlestick.
16. Elf hiding in a house plant or in a Christmas poinsettia.
17. Elf in your child’s sock drawer making a mess with a sign that says, “Where are my Christmas socks?”
18. Elf perched on top of a world globe at the North Pole with a sign that says, “North Pole.”
19. Elf beside your cat’s or dog’s bowl with a sign that says, “Feed your dog/cat a special treat!”
20. Elf with Rudolph and/or Santa’s other reindeer with a sign that says, “Elf’s best friend.”
21. Elf inside a boot or a shoe.
22. Elf stuck in the beaters of a mixer ready to make cookies for Santa with a sign that says, “Don’t forget to make cookies for Santa (and me)!”
23. Elf next to the coffee pot inside a Christmas coffee mug.
24. Elf on top of a stack of Christmas CDs with a sign that says, “Let’s sing Christmas carols!”
25. Elf in an empty vase with a few Christmas ornaments.
26. Elf on top of a stack of Christmas DVD’s with a sign that says, “Let’s watch Christmas movies!”
27. Elf hanging from the bathroom shower head, shower curtain, or shower handle.
28. Elf in a basket of Christmas cards.
29. Elf hanging from a ceiling fan or ceiling light fixture.
30. Elf in a toy airplane hanging from a ceiling fan and twirling around.
31. Elf perched on the edge of the bathtub.
32. Elf in your child’s toy box with a sign that says, “Donate your old toys for a ‘Nice’ report.”
33. Elf on your fireplace mantle peering through your Christmas garland or decorations.
34. Elf in your jewelry box wearing some of your jewelry.
35. Elf beside a box of tissues digging tissue out and making a mess.
36. Elf sleeping next to your child’s pillow with a sign that says, “Shhhhh!”
37. Elf inside a Santa hat with a sign that says, “Santa’s hat is so cozy warm!”
38. Elf nestled between your kitchen canisters.
39. Elf nestled in the pillows of your sofa.
40. Elf hanging from a doorknob.
41. Elf perched on or hanging from a curtain rod.
42. Elf on top of a flocked or stuffed toy reindeer riding the reindeer like a horse.

And, sometimes, the Elf will be hiding in your bathroom reminding you to do things like brushing your teeth, washing your face, and combing your hair!  After all, you want the Elf to report back to Santa that you are neat and tidy!

Will you do me a favor and share my post on social media?  The above photo collage was made specifically for Pinterest.  And, if this one doesn’t suit your fancy, below are two more to choose from!  Thank you so much!

And don’t forget to sign up to get the downloadable, printable eBook full of all kinds of Elf goodies!

Do you have a favorite place to display your Elf on the Shelf?  Share in the comments section; it would be fun to hear your ideas!

Tootles,

Other Posts from Toot Sweet 4 Two’s Archives:

The Best Bedtime Stories for a New Generation

How to Roast a Picture-Perfect Holiday Turkey

Charcuterie Made Easy:  Make This Party Cheeseboard in a Flash!

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