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Elf on the Shelf Ideas: 51 Creative Suggestions

November 21, 2012 by Kimberly Danger 13 Comments

Creative Elf on the Shelf ideas for your own sneaky elf | Mommysavers.com

51 Creative Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Are you participating in the fun holiday Elf on the Shelf tradition?  At some point during the season, you may run out of fun ideas.  From your elf’s arrival to his departure after the holidays are over, we’ve got you covered!  Be sure to click on the links below to see more photos of the poses we’ve created for our elves. Update:  After you’ve read these ideas, see our new post 51 MORE Creative Elf on the Shelf Ideas.  Post your own photos in our Elf Photo Gallery!

  • Arriving via Elf-mail
  • Arriving in Barbie’s car
  • Have your elf replace the photos in your frames with pictures of… himself!
  • Put Rudolph noses on family members’ photos
  • Turn the toilet water green
  • Elves like to use green shaving cream, too!
  • Wrap your toilet with Christmas wrapping paper or plastic wrap
  • Replace your screensaver with a photo of your elf
  • Your elf can go “fishing” for Goldfish crackers
  • Snow angels in flour or sugar on the kitchen floor or counter
  • Taking a bath in mini marshmallows
  • Lifting weights with large marshmallows on skewers
  • Working out on the treadmill
  • Making snowmen out of large marshmallows
  • Bowling with marshmallows
  • Turning the milk green
  • Getting stuck in the cookie jar
  • Using red and green M&Ms to spell out words or phrases
  • Using Scrabble tiles to spell out words or phrases
  • Playing Jenga
  • Writing Christmas or “Elf-like” words in a crossword puzzle
  • Playing with glow sticks
  • Playing with your camera, taking pictures of himself
  • Uh oh, the elf got stuck in the vacuum!
  • Sledding down the banister or zip lining
  • Rolling down the stairs in a toilet paper tube
  • Playing dress-up with Barbie’s clothes
  • Having a tea party with stuffed animals and dolls
  • Trying on Mom’s jewelry
  • Going on a movie date with Barbie (add popcorn, the DVD player remote control, and a movie case)
  • Sleeping in the Kleenex box
  • Reading a Christmas book to the stuffed animals
  • Building something with LEGOs
  • Playing Twister with friends
  • Playing the piano (Christmas music, of course!)
  • Hiding in the silverware drawer
  • Building an igloo out of sugar cubes
  • Playing with ice cubes in the freezer (make green and red ones!)
  • In the freezer eating a bowl of ice cream with Christmas sprinkles
  • TP-ing the Christmas tree
  • Hanging underwear on the Christmas tree or on the mantle
  • Having fun with the computer’s printer…. copying himself!
  • Going for a spin on the ceiling fan
  • Roasting marshmallows
  • Writing things on the shopping list (candy canes, Christmas cookies, etc.)
  • Clipping coupons (for sweet treats!)
  • Hanging from the rear-view mirror in the car
  • Boosted up with a stack of pillows in the driver’s seat and driving!
  • Hanging Christmas lights on a houseplant
  • Coloring in a coloring book (all red and green, naturally!)
  • Playing with the iPad (changing screen saver to a photo of himself)

Check out the most updated round-up of Hundreds of Elf On the Shelf Ideas HERE.

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Filed Under: Parenting, Special Occasions Tagged With: christmas, elf on the shelf, kids

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Comments

  1. M.L. Griffin says

    December 11, 2012 at 8:42 am

    Making a snow angel on a cookie pan of flour.

    Reply
  2. John Smith says

    December 19, 2013 at 3:35 pm

    When I was a kid, I did something that my mother didn’t know about, but found out about somehow. When I asked her how she knew, she said something along the lines that she had little spies to help her keep an eye on me. That screwed up my head for a long time, and gave me bouts of paranoia. Parents, do your kids a favor. Don’t lie to them. Don’t mess with their heads.

    Reply
  3. Shawn says

    November 14, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    Put cotton balls on all of the kids beds, then have a trail of cotton balls going to the living room with elf sitting in a chair with a sign saying “LET IT SNOW, Let it snow, Let it snow” cotton balls all around the elf too!

    Reply
  4. Kendall says

    December 26, 2015 at 6:19 pm

    Have a circle ornament on your Christmas tree with the ornament empty in the middle and have elfs head sticking through the empty spot and legs sitting on the tree lim closest to.

    Reply

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  1. Eating My Words: Elf on the Shelf Ideas says:
    December 5, 2012 at 10:34 pm

    […] 51 Elf on the Shelf Ideas from Mommy Savers […]

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  2. Elf on the Shelf Ideas: Getting into Mischief - Mommysavers.com | Online Coupons & Savings says:
    December 6, 2012 at 5:37 am

    […] Elf on the Shelf Ideas: 51 Creative Suggestions […]

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  3. Elf on the Shelf Deals: Get a $5 Target Gift Card with Girl Elf Set Purchase + FREE Shipping - Mommysavers.com | Online Coupons & Savings says:
    December 11, 2012 at 7:14 am

    […] 51 Creative Elf on the Shelf Ideas […]

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  4. Get a $10 Target Gift Card + FREE Shipping with Elf on the Shelf Purchase - Target Savers | Target Savers says:
    December 16, 2012 at 7:46 am

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  5. Elf on the Shelf Deals: Get a $10 Target Gift Card with Elf Purchase - Mommysavers.com | Online Coupons & Savings says:
    December 16, 2012 at 7:51 am

    […] 51 Creative Elf on the Shelf Ideas […]

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    December 17, 2012 at 6:52 am

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  7. Elf on the Shelf on SNL: Just a Little (Adult) Holiday Humor - Mommysavers.com | Online Coupons & Savings says:
    December 19, 2012 at 5:16 pm

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  8. Amazon Toy Deals: The Elf on the Shelf (Dark Skinned - Girl) Just $15.86 (Reg. $29.99) - Mommysavers.com | Online Coupons & Savings says:
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  9. The Elf on the Shelf | The Book Table Blog says:
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    […] For parents: For creative and fun Elf on the Shelf ideas, click here. […]

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About Mommysavers

Kimberly Danger established Mommysavers.com in March 2000 as a way to channel her creative energy while raising her kids. Initially an online discussion board, the website evolved into a comprehensive platform offering money-saving tips, deals and budget-friendly recipes and tips for frugal moms. Read More…

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