Stevie’s back with another guest post. This time she’s sharing her ‘love’ for elf on a shelf…
We are getting closer and closer to christmas, and the one thing I’ve told myself to be is more organised! I’m never that bad (like mad dashing to the shops on christmas eve) but there is something I’m not looking forward to, something I’m putting off. Its those four words I’m dreading. Elf on a shelf.
God help me, what did I start? I was so innocent years ago, so unprepared of what effort must go into this stupid little elf. And to top it all off, there’s two of them to plan misadventures for. Please mums if you are thinking of adhering to this craze, then you are as crazy as me.
My kids love it. Every morning they search out for Oggy and Mary to see what mischief they’ve been up to. Whilst I exhibit full on mombie-ness from staying up and making an igloo out of marshmallows. So many hours are poured into this, perhaps I’m being dramatic. But if, like me, you gaze ideally upon Pinterest and think ‘I could do that for my elf’, then be prepared to hot glue in the late hours of the night.
This year its Poundland again to the rescue; finally they’ve have jumped onto the bandwagon and saved my sanity. Rather than my own printouts and whatnot, I’ve invested in their postbox and elf report sheets. Their elf washing line, elf jumpers and elf banners. Yay, from the bottom of my heart, thank you Poundland, thank you!
I’ve decided to create a handy go to calendar, it just means I’ll have something to follow and not panic the night before. Feel free to use along also, or send me some easy events for these poor elves of mine.
| Day | Elf Activity | Props Required |
| 1 | Welcome Box and Letter | Craft paper decorated box, Christmas Stamps, red striped twine, print out letter from Santa |
| 2 | Moving it to the tree | Lollypop sticks glued to make a box, small materials to look like bedding |
| 3 | Time to hang out the washing | Poundland removable Elf stickers- washing line, plus scattered Barbie clothes on the floor |
| 4 | Baking cookies | Cheerios/ Weetos decorated with icing and sprinkles. Small printout doughnut box. |
| 5 | Elf colouring | Gifts- Colouring books which Elf has made a start to. Pens. |
| 6 | Sailing | Pirate ship, Playmobil pirates, eye patch for elf |
| 7 | Captured Elf | Pirate ransom note, Elf tied to the mask, he’s been overthrown. |
| 8 | Thank you | Thank you for saving the elves note, chocolate Santa rewards |
| 9 | Time to Write Christmas Lists | Elf Postbox (Poundland), pens paper |
| 10 | Elf knitting | Wool, blunted toothpicks and elf jumpers from poundland |
| 11 | Lego fun | lego , Trapped. Pieces spell out merry christmas |
| 12 | Fishing | Sink, toothbrush with string for hook, floating bath toys |
| 13 | Cold Elf | Hiding in the fridge, napping in the butter shelf |
| 14 | Poorly Elf | Mini tissues, Elf bed- from the Range, blankets, toy thermometer and medicine |
| 15 | Snow angels | Either flour, or sprinkles on the kitchen side |
| 16 | Snowball fight | Flour or snow blanket (Poundland) marshmallows for fort wall, other toys, cotton balls |
| 17 | Playing board games | Hungry crocodile, connect four |
| 18 | Candy Cane hide and seek | Candycanes |
| 19 | Elf on the school run | Sat in car seat, stuck on the wheel |
| 20 | Naughty list warning | Naughty list warning sheet pad (Poundland) |
| 21 | Elfstagram | Elfstagram Print out and Elf posed holding it |
| 22 | Gingerbread making | Gingerbread house decorating kit |
| 23 | Fing magic elf goodbye door | Fairy door (the Range) letter explaining that they have to leave tomorrow night |
| 24 | Christmas Eve box | Letter from the elves |
This is just a quick go to guide with a lot of the resources being able to find around the house or printed out. My go to places to find bits are of course Pinterest, Poundland and The Range. But I’m sure they can be replaced using toys in the house. We usually have Barbie furniture for the elves to mess about with. And of course the backup story that the elf hasn’t moved due to the kids naughtiness, (or when Mum was just too lazy to make elf cookies).
Thanks for understanding my abhorrent dislothing for this tradition, I hope I’m not the only parent to exhibit these feelings. Share in my pain would you guys, please comment or send chocolate!
Stevie x
You can read more of Stevie’s posts here.
Fantastic ideas! I will be using some of these.
I started Elf on the shelf a few years ago and was hoping to not do it this year! No chance. My youngest has started mentioning the elf. lol
After seeing how stressful Stevie has found it, I’m so glad I didn’t get sucked into doing it with Lamb! HAHAHA xx