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Quick and Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas for busy moms

12/06/16 | Elf On The Shelf

Quick & Easy Elf on the shelf Ideas      It is that time of the year! Our Elf on the Shelf, Jolly, is here and getting into all sorts of mischief. This morning the little ones found him hiding in our cutlery drawer, Jolly has encouraged us to decorate our Christmas tree and has done what he does best – sat on the shelf watching to see if my kiddos have been naughty or nice! 

What is Elf on the Shelf?

Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition is a 2005 rhyming book that explains how Santa’s ‘scout elves’ hide in people’s homes to watch over events. When everyone is in bed, the elf flies back to the North Pole to tell Santa about the good and bad activities that have happened that day. When the family wakes in the morning, the elf has flown back and is hiding in a new place to be found by the family. In the book, the elf’s magic will disappear if he is touched, although you are allowed to talk to him and tell him your Christmas wishes so he can report back to Santa. Elf on the Shelf started in America, with the elves arriving after Thanksgiving (the last Thursday in November). Here in Canada, most people tend to start on 1st December and the beginning of Advent.

As it has grown in popularity, the Elf on the Shelf tradition has taken in all sorts of twists and turns as people adapt it to suit their families. Some elves hide, some elves create mischief and mayhem, others are better behaved! However you choose to adapt this tradition, it will certainly add a sparkle of festive magic.

Click here to get your own Elf on the Shelf.

Here are 14 Quick and Easy Elf on the Shelf  ideas to help you get started.  These are sure to put a smile on your children’s faces.. 
jolly-2015-week-1

  • Jolly’s Arrival letter
  • Photo booth
  • Trapped by Lego men
  • Hugging the local reindeer
  • Sac races
  • Bubble bath
  • Enjoying the Elf Insider 

elf-on-the-shelf-week-2

  • Fishing for Gold fish
  • Hiding in the Christmas Stockings
  • Looking for Christmas Cookies
  • Cruising with Barbie
  • Enjoying the Christmas lights in the Christmas Tree
  • Perched on top of a mini Christmas Tree
  • Trapped by Elsa

If you’ve done Elf on the Shelf previously, then please do share any advice you think would be handy for other parents, and feel free to share pictures of what your elf has got up to.  You can see all my previous Elf on the Shelf posts here.

You can also follow Jolly’s Adventures here. Photo’s will be updated daily during the Christmas season so make sure to check back and see what Jolly has been up too! 

Comments | 52 comments

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Comments

  1. BestAshli says

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    Reply
  2. Alecia says

    January 3, 2017 at 10:48 pm

    I love all of these! Elf on the shelf seems so fun. We tried it this year but my 3 year old wasn’t very into it. Hopefully next year!

    Reply
  3. Mandy Carter says

    December 23, 2016 at 4:02 am

    We had the hardest time this year finding unique places for both our elves! These are some good ones!

    Reply
  4. Kristin says

    December 20, 2016 at 4:47 am

    Our elf needs to get creative with his few remaining days! Thanks so much for all the inspiration!

    Reply
  5. Gabriel says

    December 14, 2016 at 3:14 am

    Ours likes to hang out in the stockings as well. Maybe because it’s nice and toasty in there?

    Reply
  6. Milena says

    December 13, 2016 at 11:53 am

    We don’t do Elf on a Shelf here, but these are some cute ideas. My friends will love these!

    Reply
  7. Laura B says

    December 13, 2016 at 2:16 am

    These are terrific ideas. I especially like the goldfish and the lego setups. I bet these were a hit with your kids!

    Reply
  8. Nicole says

    December 12, 2016 at 9:06 pm

    I love when the elf gets mischievous. Some people get so creative.

    Reply
  9. Bianca Mcneace says

    December 12, 2016 at 5:39 pm

    WE don’t have Elf on the Shelf but I really enjoy seeing everyone’s pictures of what their elf is up to. So much fun!

    Reply
  10. Shirley Wood says

    December 12, 2016 at 3:47 pm

    Even though we are empty nesters, I think it would still be fun to do Elf on the Shelf. I can just imagine all the fun we could have with ideas like these! My grandchildren enjoy their Elf, Buddy who returns every year.

    Reply
  11. victoria says

    December 11, 2016 at 9:57 pm

    This is absolutely a creative idea. I want this on our house

    Reply
  12. Crystal says

    December 11, 2016 at 9:24 pm

    We are an elf-less family and intend to stay that way, but I just had to tell you I love all your graphics on your site!

    Reply
  13. Keikilani says

    December 11, 2016 at 9:14 pm

    We haven’t started an Elf on the Shelf tradition yet. But these are some really great and fun ideas!

    Reply
  14. Claudia Krusch says

    December 11, 2016 at 1:40 am

    These are great!!!! Such a great list!I think everyone with an Elf on the Shelf would love this!

    Reply
  15. Sara says

    December 10, 2016 at 10:52 pm

    These are very cute Elf on the SHelf ideas. I like that you recommend these to busy Moms. Who has time to come up with an elaborate plan for the Elf everyday!

    Reply
  16. CourtneyLynne Storms says

    December 10, 2016 at 10:45 pm

    omg so many cute elf ideas!!! I might just have to use a few of these elf ideas this year!

    Reply
  17. Jacqui Odell says

    December 10, 2016 at 1:22 pm

    A lot of great ideas! I love the gold fish one. It’s cute and easy!

    Reply
  18. Rebecca Bryant says

    December 10, 2016 at 1:58 am

    I swear these Elf’s can get into so much trouble in just a few days. they are just little mischief makers.

    Reply
  19. Chrystal | Nevermore Lane says

    December 9, 2016 at 11:03 pm

    These are so great. We did Elf on the Shelf for a few years when kiddo was younger. She is pretty much over it now and I think I am too. LOL But it is still fun to see what others do with theirs.

    Reply
  20. HilLesha says

    December 9, 2016 at 8:44 pm

    How cute! I have never had an Elf on the Shelf before, but I always love the ideas that others that come up with for Elf on the Shelf.

    Reply
  21. Chubskulit Rose says

    December 9, 2016 at 6:57 pm

    Those are really cute ideas! I have never done this with my kids. I never experienced it so I really didn’t know how.

    Reply
  22. michele d says

    December 9, 2016 at 6:29 pm

    I keep forgetting to move my elf. Oh my goodness, my kids are so upset when ours don’t move. Lol. These are great ideas!

    Reply
  23. Maria Han says

    December 9, 2016 at 1:31 pm

    This is absolutely a great ideas, Glad you share this with us

    Reply
  24. Lynndee says

    December 9, 2016 at 1:29 pm

    I’ve been wanting to have an Elf on the Shelf, but my son says NO because he said it’s scary. LOL. Maybe I’ll just surprise him. 🙂

    Reply
  25. Chasity Boatman says

    December 9, 2016 at 1:21 pm

    These are some creative ideas! I always like seeing what other people do with their Elf on the Shelf.

    Reply
  26. The Cubicle Chick says

    December 9, 2016 at 1:11 am

    That Elf on the Shelf is very creepy but my nephew loved it. He doesn’t believe anymore though. LOL! ^yolonda

    Reply
  27. uprunforlife says

    December 8, 2016 at 6:51 pm

    This reminds me that I need to get my Elf on the Shelf out. I plan on bringing him out 12 days before Christmas. I just run out of ideas before Christmas since I have done it for several years.

    Reply
  28. kendall says

    December 8, 2016 at 3:36 pm

    These are great!!!! I love this! Sometimes it’s so hard thinking of ideas – such a great list you have here! I think everyone with an Elf on the Shelf could use this!

    Reply
  29. Kathy says

    December 8, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    These are some great ideas. I don’t do elf on the shelf, but I love seeing everyone be so creative. I may start this next year cuz it looks like fun!

    Reply
  30. Mandy Carter says

    December 8, 2016 at 2:21 pm

    Great ideas for a mommy like me that is always having last minute panic moments of where to move our elves!

    Reply
  31. Kelly Hutchinson says

    December 8, 2016 at 12:06 pm

    Such cute ideas! I am always running out of ideas on what to do! So thank you so much for these!

    Reply
  32. Myteenguide says

    December 8, 2016 at 10:01 am

    This is great ideas. I love this. Thank you for sharing these wonderful ideas on making elf on the shelf so easy.

    Reply
  33. Wendy Polisi says

    December 8, 2016 at 7:46 am

    These is so cute and unique elf on the shelf.. I love this. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  34. Dogvills says

    December 8, 2016 at 6:57 am

    We don’t do Elf on the Shelf, but these are awesome ideas. I will share this with my friends.

    Reply
  35. Lisa Heath says

    December 8, 2016 at 4:52 am

    Such good ideas! I’ll admit, I bought one for my son a few years ago… and then completely forgot about him and to this day I have NO IDEA where it is. Bad mommy, I know.

    Reply
  36. Nancy @ whispered inspirations says

    December 8, 2016 at 3:29 am

    Great ideas! I’m so going to try some of them! My youngest daughter loves our elf on the shelf!

    Reply
  37. Dawn Nieves says

    December 8, 2016 at 12:53 am

    I love these ideas! I need to try a few of them. My kids love their elf!

    Reply
  38. Kerri Olkjer says

    December 7, 2016 at 11:28 pm

    So many cute ideas! I love the bubble bath and the Lego one. Adorable.

    Reply
  39. Jennifer Van Huss says

    December 7, 2016 at 11:15 pm

    I love ELF on the Shelf and have had Thompson our elf, visit us for the past 5 years!! This year he arrived in a hot air balloon!! It was pretty cool!

    Reply
  40. Heather says

    December 7, 2016 at 9:00 pm

    I can tell you the terror I feel in the middle of the night when I forget to move “Jack” our elf. I just up and find a different spot for him. Hopefully one day I’ll have it more together like you do with it. Very cute ideas here, especially with the Legos.

    Reply
  41. Lisa J Lewis says

    December 7, 2016 at 7:48 pm

    What a fun array of Elf on the Shelf ideas! I love the fishing one, that is one clever elf!

    Reply
  42. Paula Schuck says

    December 7, 2016 at 5:35 pm

    THANK YOU! When you first decide to do Elf on the Shelf, you’re thinking, “Hey, this will be so much fun!” What no one tells you is how time intensive it can be.

    Reply
  43. Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says

    December 7, 2016 at 5:26 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing all these great ideas! We’ve been doing Elf on the Shelf for years, and I’ve started to run out of ideas.

    Reply
  44. Emily says

    December 7, 2016 at 5:02 pm

    These are all awesome and fun ideas! I always love seeing the crazy and creative ideas people come up with. We do not do this in our home, I worry I would forget to move it each night. :/

    Reply
  45. Jasmine says

    December 7, 2016 at 3:31 am

    This is perfect for me! I haven’t done elf on the shelf because I know I will constantly forget or have a hard time coming up with new ideas!

    Reply
  46. Laura Funk says

    December 7, 2016 at 12:08 am

    We do Elf on the Shelf. Last year I went all out and had a list of ideas. This year we are just moving them as we see fit. Probably will try the stockings this week.

    Reply
  47. Ashley @irishred02 says

    December 6, 2016 at 11:57 pm

    LOL great ideas! We are a non-elf family 😉 But I know friends who like to do it!

    Reply
  48. lisanolan says

    December 6, 2016 at 11:53 pm

    Who doesn’t love elf on the shelf! I love your ideas! What a rascal that elf is!

    Reply
  49. Angela says

    December 6, 2016 at 11:28 pm

    Such fun ideas. Love the Barbie car idea. My little girl keeps asking for an Elf on the Shelf. I might cave in and get her one this year.

    Reply
  50. Bianca Mcneace says

    December 6, 2016 at 11:17 pm

    My parents never did this when I was a kid, and I wish I did it when my kids were little. It looks like so much fun!

    Reply
  51. Renz says

    December 6, 2016 at 9:15 pm

    This is not something that we grew up with so I became intrigued recently with what it’s all about. Thanks for finally explaining it. I thought ppl were just crazy.. hahaha…

    Reply
  52. LydiaF says

    December 6, 2016 at 5:27 pm

    Elf on the Shelf became popular after my children were too old to enjoy it. However, I think we’d be the family who would subject the Elf to all sorts of unsavory things, lol.

    Reply

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