The Elves are Back!

Like many brave parents, I've embarked on the epic quest of delivering 24 days of elf-tastic fun with our Elf on the Shelf! This year, our elf, Cookie, brought her brother, Coconut, along for the ride! What a blast we're having. And by "we," I really mean me. My daughter giggles at the elves' shenanigans and I continue to weave the story behind their daily escapades. My son? He's blissfully unaware, just happy to watch Moana 2 on repeat.

Ice Fishing with an ornament hook...for goldfish

I didn't expect to discover so much joy with the elves this year (last year was a marathon of "What on earth do I do now?"), but adding a second elf has really spiced things up. Turns out, you can be a kid at heart no matter how many candles are on your cake.

My holiday spirit this year is also soaring higher than a reindeer on Red Bull. I suspect it's because my 2-year-old has reached the magical stage where he uses words instead of banshee screams. I've gone all out with the decorations and even jazzed up my work wardrobe with holiday sweaters.

Speaking of sweaters, the elves now have a wardrobe fit for a fashion show. As a bargain hunter extraordinaire, I snagged everything at a discount, so my wallet's feeling festive too. And with Barbie and her entourage moving in over the last year, the clothing options have multiplied!

Snow Globe Elf

I can already see the elves taking a dip in the Barbie pool and heading out on a camping trip with the Barbie RV. Tonight, they're hitting the slopes on candy cane skis through the snowy pillow fluff. Those wacky elves!

Whether you adore, tolerate, or detest the Elf on the Shelf you started for your kid(s), remember it's all about the kiddos and the "magic". If you can squeeze some joy out of it, grab it like a last-minute sale!

Good luck for the next three weeks and remember—if your kid touches the elf or catches you touching the elf, then the elf can take a mini-vacation for an entire weekend to the North Pole to recharge their magic. Need a break? Take the hint!

--Amber

Elf on the Shelf Ideas

1.      Measuring tape in stockings –have to see how big the stocking is to fit in all the goodies!

2.      Snowball fight—cotton balls

3.      Checker/Tic Tac Toe board with bows

4.      Medium size bows for a mountain climbing elf

5.      Christmas tree farm –Little Debbie Christmas Tree snacks

6.      Skiing elf on candy canes—using Q-tips for the hands to hold on to. And pillow fluff for the now.

7.      Ladder elf—using straws and building a big ladder for the elf to climb

8.      Ice fishing elf—with a string tied to an ornament hook and goldfish for catching

9.      Twister elf—color different color circles on paper—have the elf do some cool moves!

10. Bathtub time Elf—fill a large bowl with cotton balls and throw in some bath duckies

11. Taping an elf in the window blinds—hiding place

12. Bowling Elf—Hershey kisses set up as bowling pins and then a peppermint ball as the bowling ball. Elf is sitting and rolling the ball!

13. A Shredding Elf—tape some crayons on the boxy cheese grater and then have skittles as the result.

14. Snowball toss Elf—create a corn hole game using cotton balls

15. Sledding Elf Empty box of Ziploc sandwich bags—using the box as a sled

16. Swimming Elf—elves going swimming in Barbie’s pool

17. Camping Elf—elves going camping in Barbie’s RV

18. Card playing Elf—UNO game time

19. Golf course Elf—construction paper for the golf course; candy cane for the golf club. Mini marshmallows for the golf ball.

20. Give Old Toys Away Elf—a box filled with donations. Elf perching on the side.

21. Let’s make a Christmas Tree Elf—waffle cones and icing with decorations set out for the kids to make their own.

The tree looks great from this view!