With December now in full swing, many homes will be filled with lights and decorations to bring festive joy this Christmas. And for plenty of parents, leaving cookies out for Santa was a staple when they were young, but a new trend has appeared in the last few years: the Elf on The Shelf.
Starting in the UK in 2013, Elf on The Shelf has taken December by storm, and brings an added touch of daily festivities to homes across the world.
But for many parents, a rude awakening in the early hours of the morning can happen more than often - with the anxious realisation that they forgot to move the elf. And finding the perfect idea can be a challenge, especially at the last minute.
In fact, searches for ‘elf on the shelf ideas’ have increased by 124% since the beginning of November* - showing that many Brits are actively searching for unique ideas.
For those not wanting their elf’s activities to take over their entire house, there are some simple ways to keep the magic strictly around the kids. Here are 5 ways to amp up the festivities with your Elf on The Shelf this Christmas in your childs’ bedroom:
Scavenger hunt
A simple way to spread festive fun with your elf on the shelf can be a scavenger hunt - with your elf hiding either itself, or different objects around their bedroom, and leaving a note with instructions on where to look.
Perhaps the elf has decided to play hide and seek with your child, or maybe they’ve hidden their favourite toy somewhere for them to find. The possibilities with this idea are endless, and can be up to your interpretation.
Interacting with your child
A popular TikTok video took over the internet a few years ago, as a child awoke to find her naughty elf had in fact drawn on her face. If your child would like this idea, this is a unique way to show that the Elf can do more than sit still each day - but be sure to use markers that are safe for your bedding (and child!)
However, if you think your child may not like waking up to this, you could always tone this down a notch. Some ways to do this could be adding a festive hair accessory on them while they sleep, such as a candy cane or bow - creating a very merry morning!
Smores
Another fun way to display your elf, is to show them getting into the festive spirit by making their own smores.
To set this up, grab a cocktail stick and some miniature marshmallows, and sit your elf over a candle. Then, position the elf’s hands so they are holding the cocktail stick over where the flame would be.
Candles are not recommended for any young children, so grab a tealight or candle you have elsewhere in your home that can be removed from your childs’ bedroom later.
Elf Droppings
A rather rude way to display your elf on the shelf, or perhaps a bedside table, can be to have them poop somewhere in your childs’ bedroom - but not literally of course.
Simply grab some chocolate which you can melt, and place a small dollop somewhere your child can see. You could also use Hershey Kisses if you have them, as these are the perfect shape.
Then position the elf lying on its side, or sit it upright next to the chocolate.
Elf Zipline
Finally, you can create a festive zipline for your elf with some simple household and festive items - string, cellotape/blu-tack, and a candy cane.
To set up the zipline, cut a line of string and stick each end to a wardrobe or wall in the bedroom. Then, stick a candy cane to the elfs’ hands, and hook it somewhere on the string.
When your child wakes up, they’ll find the elf on a festive zipline, right in the middle of their bedroom.
Of course the magic doesn't end on Christmas Eve, but this is the night that your elf returns to the North Pole with Santa, and creating a unique departure is a great way to end a month of Elf fun.
Elf Memories
A fun way to reflect on the fun your child has had with their elf is to take pictures throughout the month of December. This could be your child playing with the elf, or images of the elf preparing itself for your child waking up.
When it’s time for the elf to leave, print off some of these images and display them for your child to see, such as on their wall, in an album, or in a festive envelope.
You could even go one step further by writing a note to your child, with the elf saying how much fun they’ve had, and they’ll see you next year.
Snowy Prints
Another way for your elf to have a magical exit after Christmas, is for them to head back to the North Pole, leaving a snowy display for your child to see in their bedroom.
To do this, grab some snow spray and create an elf shaped cut-out on some paper. Then, hold the paper up against the window, and spray around the outline, creating an elf-shaped snowy print on the window.
You could also spray paint ‘goodbye!’ or ‘see you next year!’ for some added festive magic.
