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Ideas for Elf on the Shelf: 50 Ideas for This Christmas

November 7, 2022 by Kim Danger Leave a Comment

Are you in search of fresh, funny, and unique “Elf on the Shelf” ideas to bring magic to your home this holiday season? Look no further. Here are 100 original and humorous Elf on the Shelf ideas to fill your home with joy and laughter this festive season.

Idea #1: Marshmallow Snow Bath

Stage an enchanting scene by placing your elf in a small bowl filled with mini marshmallows, representing snow. Position your elf lying back as if relaxing in a tub. Add a little extra fun by including a mini rubber ducky.

Idea #2: Christmas Workout

A healthy elf is a happy elf! Arrange your elf in a workout pose, maybe lifting a marshmallow weight or performing a yoga pose on a paper mat. Nearby, place a tiny towel and a bottle cap filled with water for after the workout.

Idea #3: Hot Cocoa Mishap

Set up a miniature hot cocoa accident by placing your elf face-first in a small cup of cocoa (made from brown construction paper). To make it more humorous, dab a bit of whipped cream (cotton) on the elf’s head.

Idea #4: Toilet Paper Snowman

Find a way for your elf to create a snowman in the bathroom using toilet paper. You can stack the toilet paper rolls into the shape of a snowman and place your elf nearby with a marker in its hand, hinting that it’s about to draw a face on the snowman.

Idea #5: Sticky Note Messages

Stage your elf writing cute or funny notes to your kids using sticky notes. You can have several sticky notes scattered around and your elf holding one with a marker in its hand.

Idea #6: Drawn-On Faces

Position your elf with a washable marker next to a family photo. The funniest part? The family members in the picture now have funny mustaches or silly eyebrows!

Idea #7: Mini Christmas Tree Decorator

If you have a small plant or bonsai, have your elf decorate it like a mini Christmas tree. Your elf can be caught in the act with a piece of tinsel or a tiny ornament in its hand.

Idea #8: Gift Wrapper

Create a scene of your elf wrapping everyday items like a banana or a can of soup in Christmas paper. Place a roll of wrapping paper, scissors, and tape nearby to complete the setup.

Idea #9: Advent Calendar Creator

Have your elf make an advent calendar. You can use small envelopes or boxes, each filled with a little note or treat. Your elf can be seen sticking the last envelope onto the calendar.

Idea #10: SuperElf

Make a small cape out of fabric or paper and dress your elf as a superhero. You can position your elf in various heroic poses every day.

Idea #11: NinjaElf

Create an exciting scene with your elf and some toy ninjas. Position your elf in a defensive stance as if it’s getting ready for a surprise attack. Scatter a few ninja stars (foil or paper cutouts) nearby for added action.

Idea #12: Cookie Lover

Set up a little nighttime snack scene for your elf. Arrange a few mini cookies (use cereal or cookie cereal for the perfect size) and a thimble-sized glass of milk. Position your elf as if it’s about to enjoy its delicious treat.

Idea #13: Silly Hide and Seek

Make your kids work a little to find their elf. Have your elf hide in the most unexpected places like inside a cereal box, the mailbox, or even hanging from the ceiling fan.

Idea #14: Snow Angel

Give your kitchen a touch of winter magic by spreading some flour on your counter to mimic snow. Lay your elf down and move its arms and legs to create a “snow angel.”

Idea #15: Reindeer Rider

Incorporate more Christmas characters by positioning your elf riding a toy reindeer or horse. Make it more adventurous by creating a trail or obstacle course for the ride.

Idea #16: Message in a Bottle

Place your elf inside a clear bottle or jar with a rolled-up piece of paper. The paper can hold a special message or a hint for a holiday activity.

Idea #17: Christmas Caroler

Arrange your elf and a group of other toy figurines as if they are singing Christmas carols. You can even provide a songbook made from folded paper for a realistic touch.

Idea #18: Candy Cane Fishing

Create a fishing scene with your elf. Use a candy cane as a fishing rod and another candy cane as the fish. Position your elf as if it just caught a big one!

Idea #19: Ziplining Adventure

Create a zipline using string, and have your elf zipline through your home using a candy cane as a handle. Make sure to secure both ends of the string for your elf’s safe journey.

Idea #20: Santa’s Little Artist

Set up an art station for your elf. Provide it with tiny paintbrushes or colored pencils (use toothpicks or cut-down pencils) and a small canvas (a piece of cardstock). Your elf could be in the middle of creating a Christmas masterpiece.

Idea #21: Stargazer

Your elf could be a stargazer for a night. Position it near a window with a mini telescope made from rolled-up black paper. Arrange a small blanket and a pillow for a cozy stargazing setup.

Idea #22: Storytime

Set up a storytime scene with your elf reading to other toys. You can create a tiny book using folded paper and sketch a little story inside.

Idea #23: Magic Show

Transform your elf into a magician with a tiny top hat and a magic wand made from a toothpick. Arrange other toys as the audience and have a card or a coin ready for your elf’s magic trick.

Idea #24: Breakfast Chef

Turn your elf into a breakfast chef with a mini pancake setup. You can use buttons or small round cereal as pancakes and a bottle cap for a frying pan.

Idea #25: Hide and Seek Champion

Position your elf inside a tissue box or any other unexpected place for a fun surprise in the morning.

Idea #26: Elf Band

Set up a band scene with your elf and other toys. Use household items as instruments, like pencils for drumsticks, or a comb for a keyboard.

Idea #27: Bubble Bath Time

Create a mini bubble bath scene with a bowl and marshmallows or cotton balls for bubbles. Place your elf inside for a relaxing time.

Idea #28: Snowball Fight

Create a playful scene with your elf throwing cotton balls at other toys, depicting a fun snowball fight.

Idea #29: Mischievous Artist

Stage your elf drawing funny faces or mustaches on family pictures with a washable marker for a humorous morning surprise.

Idea #30: Bedtime Buddy

Craft a small bed out of a tissue box or matchbox. Tuck your elf into bed with a small piece of fabric as a blanket.

Idea #31: Supermarket Spree

Recreate a mini supermarket scene with small food items or toy groceries. Set your elf up with a small cart, made from a matchbox or similar, and fill it with goodies!

Idea #32: Colorful Christmas Decorator

Get your elf ready with a paintbrush (a toothpick with a tip painted a different color) and a palette (a bottle cap with different colors). It’s painting ornaments (beads or small balls) for a colorful Christmas celebration.

Idea #33: Tightrope Walk

Set your elf for a thrilling tightrope walk. Use a string as the rope and position your elf balancing on it, ready for the daredevil act.

Idea #34: Miniature Campfire

Craft a miniature campfire scene with twigs and a paper flame. Arrange your elf and other toy figurines around, enjoying the warmth of the fire.

Idea #35: Candy Cane Hunt

Have your elf hold a candy cane and a little note about a candy cane hunt. Hide some candy canes around for the kids to find in the morning.

Idea #36: Jigsaw Puzzle Master

Scatter some mini puzzle pieces (you can cut small pieces from a colorful magazine page) around your elf. It’s in the middle of solving a jigsaw puzzle.

Idea #37: Sledding Adventure

Use a candy cane as a sled and position your elf ready for a sledding adventure. You can create a small slope using books or cushions.

Idea #38: Magic Carpet Ride

Place your elf on a piece of cloth or a napkin, mimicking a magic carpet. Arrange toys below to give the illusion of height.

Idea #39: Christmas Cookie Baker

Create a cookie-baking scene with your elf, a bowl of dough (play-doh or clay), and tiny cookie cutouts on a baking tray (a small piece of aluminum foil).

Idea #40: Doctor Elf

Set up your elf as a doctor checking on a toy. Provide a mini thermometer or a stethoscope crafted from a string and a small round piece of paper or bead.

Idea #41: Christmas Movie Night

Set up your elf with a popcorn box made from a small paper cone filled with popped quinoa or amaranth grains. Place it in front of a tiny “screen,” which can be a phone screen showing a Christmas movie still.

Idea #42: Laundry Day

Arrange a mini laundry day scene. Hang tiny clothes on a string using small paperclips as clothespins. Position your elf as if it’s hanging the clothes.

Idea #43: Snowflake Maker

Have your elf making snowflakes out of paper. Scatter some cut-out snowflakes around and leave a pair of small scissors in your elf’s hand.

Idea #44: Daredevil Skateboarder

Place your elf on a toy skateboard, ready for a thrilling ride. You could build a ramp using books or cardboard for added fun.

Idea #45: Gift Inspector

Stack a few small gift boxes around your elf. Provide a magnifying glass for it to inspect the gifts for Santa.

Idea #46: Selfie Time

Pose your elf taking a selfie with a small mirror or a shiny piece of aluminum foil as a “phone.” It could be in front of a group of toys or a Christmas tree.

Idea #47: Bird Watcher

Give your elf a pair of binoculars made from two small paper tubes. Set it near a window as if it’s bird watching.

Idea #48: Rock Star Performance

Create a concert scene with your elf as the rock star. Use a matchstick or a toothpick as a microphone stand, and other toys can serve as the audience.

Idea #49: Holiday Cheer Spreader

Position your elf writing holiday cards for your family members. You can make mini cards using colorful paper, and give your elf a tiny pen to hold.

Idea #50: Balloon Flight

Tie your elf to a bunch of helium-filled balloons for a whimsical touch. Your elf is off on a fantastic balloon flight adventure!

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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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