Beat the December overwhelm and use these easy elf on the shelf ideas to set up funny scenes to welcome in the little scout. You don’t need elaborate designs to create excitement and Christmas magic.
You can definitely do funny on a budget! And, the whole point is to make memories! Memories with your teens, little kids or anyone in your home that would be amused by the little elf – that’s all that matters.
Laughter, excitement and joy are the aim! You having fun, being creative and bringing in whimsy also matter. Don’t pressure yourself. The holidays are for you too! Enjoy it!
If you want more Christmas decorating tips, check out my easy Christmas coffee table decor ideas too.
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Behind the elf on the shelf tradition
If you’re new to the elf on the shelf tradition, it’s based on a popular kids’ book. In the book, Santa sends out a scout elf to each home to watch over families. They are Santa’s eyes and ears during the day.
At night when everyone is sleeping, the elves return to the North Pole and report everything back to the boss (Santa!). Who’s been good, who’s been bad, they are thorough! Then, in the morning, the scout elves return in a completely different spot in the house.
There’s a rule though! No one (I mean the kids) can touch the elf. If they do, it’ll lose its magic and can’t get back home.
That rule is a great way to stop the kiddies from moving the elves themselves. Ha!
The tradition usually starts on the first day of December and continues to Christmas Eve, where its scouting duties are over. You can start earlier or later if you prefer – I don’t think Santa would mind.
The hardest part of the tradition is to remember to move the elf before the kids wake up. I usually set a recurring reminder on my phone to help me keep up.
The easiest part? It’s watching the kids race around the house looking for the elf. They get really excited during their hunt! These are fun core memories for them!
Before the elf’s arrival
You get to decide how much you want to commit to the elf on the shelf bit. You can have your kids name the elf or come up with some hilarious names yourself. Give them some backstories too.
If you need ideas here, I’ve got you (you can also use ChatGPT too!). Here are a couple names and stories for your elf:
- Jingle McSparklebutt: he’s super noisy and jingles everywhere. He loves everything shiny and gets easily distracted by them. He’s also pretty clumsy.
- Ginger Sugarplumpie: she has a sweet tooth, loves baking, and is often in the kitchen ‘borrowing’ treats and leaving crumbs behind.
- Pepper Tinkermint: she’s a smartie pants, is super tech savvy and enjoys tinkering. She sometimes sleeps on the job after late night data analysis at the North Pole.
- Rob Grumblecrank: oh he’s a tough elf on the outside and a sweetheart on the inside. He lives up to his cranky name until he has 5 cups of coffee.
- Misty Funnyboots: she’s really new and gets sassy when kids aren’t being good. She takes long breaks and no one knows what she’s up to. Rumor has it she gives the most detailed reports to Santa.
Getting the elf (and accessories maybe!)
Before continuing, if you don’t have an elf yet, you can pick up this fair boy elf from Amazon. You can also find fair girl elves, brown girl and brown boy elves too.
There are also elf accessories kits! This wonderful one comes with some idea cards you can use to stage the scene, a couple backdrops, mini table, and lots of micro props including ones for the kitchen and fun activities. It’s pretty cute.
Elf on the shelf arrival ideas (welcome back)
Okay, the first day you’re starting the elf on the shelf tradition, you’ll want to set the tone for the month. There are lots of ways to do arrivals and welcome backs.
Letters and signs
You can do this by designing and printing a personalized card for your kids. Canva has lots of templates to get started. You can use these letters to tell your kids the name of the elf and all about their funny and mischievous backstory.
You can also get this wooden sign. Pop the elf into the little holes and prop up on your porch or coffee table. You can reuse this sign for years to come too.
Here’s another great idea. Stick the elf on the window outside where your kids are sure to see. This one has a sign that says to let me in, it’s cold. It’s certainly a quick and easy idea!
Dropping in
For a more whimsical option, you can stop by the store and pick up 10 regular helium balloons to attach to the elf. When he floats up he’ll look like he’s just dropping in from the North Pole.
This blimp ride also sticks to the dropping-in theme. You can use tape or 3M hooks on the ceiling to hold everything and suspend the elf in midair.
Coloring fun!
How about welcoming the elf on the shelf with some coloring pages and printables? You can find free ones online like these from Simply Love Coloring. Or create personalized ones on Canva.
Print them out, place the elf next to them with a DIY letter or sign.
You can also pick up a jumbo paper banner for the kids to color together.
Gift basket goodies
Another way to make the elf’s arrival interactive is to pull together a mini basket of goodies. I mean the scout elf is a guest that’s visiting. And, usually visitors bring gifts and treats, right?
Your basket can have hot cocoa mix, candy canes, cookies, chips, marshmallows, chocolates and mini snacks the kids would love. It’s okay to have a mini sweet treat for breakfast, right?
You can also get this chocolate and caramel gift basket.
Where to place the elf
Since the elf returns in the morning, you’ll want to put the elf in areas the kids usually go during their morning routine. The bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom are great options.
High places are better for toddlers and younger kids since the elf can be visible but out-of-reach. For older kids, you can vary the heights on different days and hide them in less obvious places.
You can add the elf on the kitchen counter, curtain rods, hanging off the Christmas tree, swinging off light fixtures or ceiling fans, sitting on the bathroom vanity, coffee table, on bookshelves, in the fridge, or by the TV. Oh, the options are endless.
Let’s get into all my elf of the shelf ideas.
Easy elf on the shelf ideas
1. Movie morning!
The most basic way to create a movie theme is to plop the elf on a counter or table, prop your iPad up and have a great movie playing. You can go for Elf, Harry Potter, Grinch, Home Alone or even something more recent like KPop Demon Hunters.
You can also set this scene up in the oven with the light on.
If you want to, you could probably repeat this theme a couple times throughout the month. Set the elf on the sofa with a blanket in front of the TV with the remote. Have a fun movie playing softly.
For a little more staging, you can add small bowls of candy, popcorn, cookies and snacks next to the elf. You can even add in some crumbs if you want to.
2. Gaming fun
If your kids love their PS5 or Xbox, your elf would probably love it too. Prop the elf on the couch, tape its hands on the controller and switch to the kids’ favorite game. They could play a quick game before breakfast for funsies.
3. Ziplining in
Elf ziplines are always a hit. You can attach string or ribbon from a curtain rod on one end of the room to sturdy furniture on the other. Use tape to keep the string taunt and in place.
Have the elf hang onto the string with just about anything – a clothes hanger, candy canes, underwear, anything!
4. Spa day
Create a elf spa scene in the bathroom. Use a small ceramic bowl, add the elf in, and cover with cotton balls to make it look like a bubble bath. Add a cute note next to the elf too.
Take it a step further and cut mini sheet masks from toilet paper. Or add some cucumber slices to the scene.
5. Laundry whoopsies
Hang the elf on a laundry basket or on the washing machine. You can even topple the basket and add the elf among the clothes. Stage the scene so it looks accidental and add a cute stuffed toy in front for extra smiles.
6. Reading time
Have the elf reading your kid’s favorite nursery rhyme, school text book or even cookbook. You can place the book on a book stand if you want too. Add a sign ‘reading is fun’ next to it. This is a great idea for toddlers.
Here’s a great option with the See You Later, Alligator book.
7. Toilet paper pranks
You really can have fun with toilet paper pranks. Here’s one:
Unroll some toilet paper and tie the elf to the center (or use tape to stick the elf on). Unroll a whole lot more and spread everywhere. You can even have it going out of the room. Add a mini sign next to the elf saying ‘Oops I used too much’ or ‘I tried changing the roll.’
8. Snow angels
Have your elf create snow angels – well it doesn’t have to be with snow. It could be with flour, icing sugar, candy or even sprinkles. Create this scene in the kitchen for easy cleanup.
Here’s some inspo from Pinterest.
9. Poop pranks
Ah yes, the classic poop jokes. Place the elf’s legs inside the roll of toilet paper. Lean it forward and add a small chocolate chip behind him to act as elf poop. It’s a great option for both toddlers, older kids and adults too.
Creating a poop museum scene is also fun! You can use marshmallows, M&Ms, nuts, seeds, chocolate chips, toffees, candy, and crumbled Oreo cookies.
10. Reuse Halloween things
Okay, so Halloween was a month ago, but I’m sure the kiddie’s costume is still hanging about somewhere. Arrange them together on a chair to make it look like the elf was trying on the costume. You can also add some spooky decorations like plastic spiders and cotton cobwebs.
11. 6, 7
This year’s brain rot fun is 6, 7 .. queue the up down hand movements too! Cut the numbers out and pop them next to your elf. You can use gift paper if you want to and sprinkle a little candy around.
12. Homework helper
Have the elf be a homework helper for your kids. Have their books open, crumple small pieces of paper all around the books and create a sign saying ‘Your homework is hard.’ You can even add some reading glasses next to the elf.
13. Sleepover party
Bring all the toys in on the fun and give your elf a sleepover party. You can place the toys in their own individual socks – I mean sleeping bags – and set the sleepover guests around a flameless candle.
14. Fridge time
You can leave the elf in the sock and pop it in the fridge the next day. Finding the elf when looking for milk or breakfast is always a hit!
15. Farting humor
Much like poop pranks, farting is also pretty funny. You can go simple by placing a clear vase over the elf and a sign next to it saying “Someone farted.” Or you can stick bits of cotton on the elf’s butt and have a couple tufts trailing away too.
16. Game night
Stage the elf with the games your family loves. It could be Monopoly, chess, cards or even UNO. Set up the scene with other stuffed toys, dolls, gnomes, and anything you can stick mini eyes on.
You can repeat this idea a couple times with different games too. Here’s a super cute elf on the shelf UNO game.
17. Tanning time
Elves don’t have the time to sunbathe at the North Pole. But, while on scout duties, they sure can catch some rays. You can set the elf up to sunbathe under a lamp with summer props, a cute postcard, sunglasses and a simple sign.
Hope you enjoyed these easy elf on the shelf ideas. May they bring lots of fun, magic and laughter to your home. It’s also important that you have fun too! Here’s to less overwhelm and overthinking and more enjoying the moment.
Want more Christmas decorating ideas, check out these holiday coffee table decor suggestions.
