Tis the season… to drive myself crazy! Having an Elf on the Shelf brings so much magic to the holiday season. After having Joy and Jingles (our elves) visit year after year, I find myself wanting to work smarter, not harder. Learn from my mistakes: keep a detailed schedule of events for your yearly visitors. Hereโs a simple guide for 25 fun-filled days packed with ideas to bring your Elf on the Shelf to life!
Day 1 – Arrival Day
Introduce your elf with a welcoming scene, perhaps holding a sign saying, “I’m back!”
Day 2 – Candy Cane Shenanigans
Have the elf create a zip line with candy canes and baking string across the room.
Day 3 – Christmas Card Helpers
Position your Elf on the Shelf writing out holiday cards or posing for a funny family photo.
Day 4 – Elf Spa Day
Set up a tiny spa with cotton ball robes and miniature cucumber slices for a relaxing spa scene.
Day 5 – Snow Angels
Make snow angels using flour or sugar, and let your Elf on the Shelf join in!
Day 6 – Christmas Movie Night
Set up a mini movie night with popcorn and a tiny screen so your elf can watch their favorite Christmas movie alongside the family!
Day 7 – Elf’s Tiny Kitchen
Have the elf bake mini cookies or make tiny snowman pancakes.
Day 8 – Hide and Seek
Hide your Elf on the Shelf somewhere tricky for the family to find!
Day 9 – Candy Countdown
Create a countdown using chocolates or candies leading to Christmas Day.
Day 10 – Elf’s Book Club
Pose your elf reading a holiday book or hosting a tiny book club for other toys.
Day 11 – Elf Sports Day
Set up a mini sports sceneโmaybe a hockey game using marshmallows and candy canes. Have fun with it! This desktop mini basketball toy is perfectly sized for elfie one-on-one.
Day 12 – Christmas Tree Decorations
Provide miniature ornaments for the elf to decorate their own little tree.
Day 13 – Elf Art Gallery
Have your Elf on the Shelf display drawings or crafts made by the family.
Day 14 – Elf’s Toy Workshop
Set up a tiny workshop where your elf fixes broken toys.
Day 15 – Elf’s Sledding Adventure
Use cotton or a tissue for snow and create a sledding scene.
Day 16 – Elf’s Music Concert
Pose your Elf on the Shelf with toy instruments, singing holiday tunes.
Day 17 – Letter to Santa
Write a letter with your elf asking for Christmas wishes.
Day 18 – Elf’s Winter Wonderland
Create a winter scene with cotton or fake snow, some toy animals, and/or a small sleigh.
Day 19 – Elf’s Photo Booth
Set up a tiny photo booth with props and a camera for your Elf on the Shelf.
Day 20 – Elf’s Helping Hand
Pose the elf helping around the houseโfolding tiny laundry is the cutest!
Day 21 – Kringle’s Hot Cocoa Stand
Set up a mini hot cocoa station for your Elf on the Shelf to serve from.
Day 22- Elf’s Candy Castle
Build a small candy castle using sweets and chocolates.
Day 23 – Science Experiment
Create a simple science experiment or potion mixing household items (safely).
Day 24 – Elf’s Christmas Eve Adventure
Have your Elf on the Shelf say goodbye with a note and a small gift before returning to the North Pole!
Day 25 – Merry Christmas! Departure Day
Leave a thank you note from the elf with a farewell until next year.
ACTIONABLE STEPS: These ideas aim to make every day leading up to Christmas magical and fun! Enjoy the adventures with your mischievous elf. Experience Christmas through the eyes of your children. They’re only little for so long!
