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I will never forget the day my mom called me and said I packed the cutest thing at work today. Have you ever heard of Elf on the Shelf? Had I known what that question was going to lead to I would have hung up on her. For those who have an elf you know and understand. For those of you considering an elf, all I can say is RUN! All joking aside though when you get an elf it is a lot like adopting a puppy. It is such a rewarding experience but it is a lot of work. To help with the workload I thought I’d share this year’s Elf on the Shelf ideas lists.
What Is Elf On The Shelf
If you don’t have kids or have kids that live in a bubble The Elf On The Shelf is a phenomenon that developed from Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell’s book The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition. The book tells the story of how Santa Claus keeps tabs on who’s naughty or nice by sending his scout elves to watch over the children from Thanksgiving to Christmas. The book explains the purpose of the Elf, about the Elf’s magic, and the all-important rule “Do not touch the Elf” or he or she will lose her magic. Each book is accompanied by an elf and walks you through the adoption and naming of your elf.
Today the books are available in English and Spanish and there are four elves. You can get a boy or girl elf in either light tones and blue eyes or in dark tones and brown eyes. In addition to the elves, there are now three Elf Pets, a reindeer, an arctic fox, and a St. Bernard. There are also elf clothes, movies, cartoons, games, and even breakfast cereal.
In 2011, my mom sent my daughter our elf, who she named Cheeto. Cheeto has gotten into a lot of mischief, a little trouble, and numerous adventures over the last 10 Christmases. He has been a cheerleader, a baker, an artist, and much more. He has traveled from Tennessee to Oregon with us. Now let me tell you flying with an elf is an adventure! In 2017 the idea to put Cheeto in a jar so Angela could share the experience of flying with him was had. What was expected was for him to set off security in the Atlanta airport. TSA had to swab him and obviously, the agent didn’t know the do not touch rule. Little to say the idea traumatized a couple of dozen kids who were going through security too.
Classic Ideas
Every year Cheeto arrives the day after Thanksgiving. Usually, his arrival is marked by an “I’m back” message somewhere in the house. Though one year I punched a hole in a gift box and had him stuck out. The box had our address and a North Pole postage stamp. Another great idea I found this year is the Hot Air Arrival from elfontheshelf.com. If we hadn’t been in Oregon when he arrived I’d have used it!
Baking With Your Elf
Another Christmas tradition with Cheeto is baking. Usually every year we have at least two baked good days. On the first baking day, Cheeto bakes us cinnamon rolls. On the second baking day, he usually brings a treat for us to bake. Our treat maybe a box of cake batter or maybe refrigerated cookies, whatever I happened to pick up that week. The flour angel (seen below) or a sprinkle angel usually accompanies the second baking day.
30 Days of Elf On The Shelf Ideas
- Day 1 – I’m Back mirror message
- Day 2 – In a jar for a day – Let your child carry the elf and show it around
- Day 3 – Cinnamon Rolls
- Day 4 – When Dinosaurs attack (see below)
- Day 5 – Elf Kisses (see right)
- Day 6 – Opps I thought it was gas
- Day 7 – Tic-Tac-Bow
- Day 8 – Elf Twister from Frugal Coupon Living
- Day 9 – Getting In a Workout from Pop Sugar
- Day 10 – Elf Yoga (Printable Poster by Amy Robison)
- Day 11 – TeePeed Christmas Tree (see below)
- Day 12 – Elf Shark
- Day 13 – Christmas Candy Overload
- Day 14 – Minion Bananas (see right)
- Day 15 – Super Hero Elf by Simple Made Pretty
- Day 16 – Jenga Block Fort
- Day 17 – Baking Day
- Day 18 – Tape is Sticky by K-3 Connection
- Day 19 – Fart in a jar (see right)
- Day 20 – Donut Delivery (see right)
- Day 21 – Lack of Snow Flakes Disturbing by Gavin Hay Photography
- Day 22 – Picture Makeover with Dry Erase Marker (see above)
- Day 23 – Scrabble
- Day 24 – Colored Eggs by Tracy Ramirez
- Day 25 – Maple Syrup drink (see right)
- Day 26 –Stink, Stank, Stunk by TheKeeperOfTheCheerios.com
- Day 27 – Story Time (see right)
- Day 28 – Gingerbread House by ElfOnTheShelf.com
- Day 29 – Good By Letter from Balancing Home
- Day 30 (bonus day) – Back at the Reindeer Corral from ElfOnTheShelf.com
Bonus Ideas
There are thousands of other ideas out there. Some additional ideas can be found on my Winter & Christmas Pinterest board. Another great idea for 2020 is Elf on the Shelf Self-Quarantine printable kit by MamaCheaps.com. Having to quarantine your elf for 14 days means 14 days of not having to move it! Win!!! Follow Cheetos adventures this year on my Instagram page. I’d love to see your elf’s adventures too. Send me a picture of your elf using any of my 30 Days of Elf on the Shelf ideas or tag me on Instagram or Facebook or use the hashtag #cheetotheelf and I will share it as well as Cheeto’s. Until next time!
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9 Comments on 30 Days of Elf On The Shelf Ideas
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Love these ideas!
Thank you!
Love these ideas!! Its only a few days in and I’m already running out of places for our elf! Thank you for these!
I know I always run out of ideas. So I made it a point this year to have a schedule and it has been such a stress relief so far!
I never did Elif on the Shelf, but I love all the silly things people do. One of my friends currently has her elf in a jar for 14 days to quarantine. Lol. Thank you for this list… if I ever start, I will definitely use these ideas.
I really wanted to quarantine ours but my husband wouldn’t let me. LOL He told me that was #1 cheating and if I was going to do it I had to do it right and #2 that COVID already screwed up to much that I couldn’t let it mess with the elf. LOL.
Lots of fun ideas here! I like the creativity and the quarantine idea is entertaining haha.
As a former Kindergarten teacher, this had been one of my favorite activities! Looking at the home perspective, I think your baking idea was the best! Also love the Minion bananas! So cute.
Actually, this is the first year, when I heard about Elf on the Shelf, but it’s only because in my country (Latvia) we don’t have this kind of tradition. Nevertheless, this looks like a super fun and great idea! Thank you for this informative blog post!