There are so many magical things about Christmas. With the white snow carpet surrounding us, the colorful lights on everyone’s porch, the beautifully decorated and lit up Christmas tree and not to forget the famous ‘elf on the shelf’ tradition. From a very young age, I was completely mesmerized by the Christmas magical world and grew up listening to and watching stories about the jolly and white-bearded ‘Santa’ wearing a red coat with white fur collar and cuffs and always carrying a bag full of gifts for the children. I still clearly remember my initial excitement in my earlier years of meeting Santa for the very first time and wondering what I will be getting as a gift from him.
After I became a mom, I knew I wanted to teach my daughter about the magical elf on the shelf tradition and pass on this festive magic to her. Although she is only two years old but trying to hide our little Elf, has been a huge task. Below is a list of few easy solutions that I have come up at home to hide our elf but before that for those of you who are new to this tradition, below is little dive into it.
Pin this to have this post handy all the time!
ELF ON THE SHELF TRADITION
Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition known to bring in the Christmas magic to your home. This is an interactive hide and seek tradition where an elf also known as Santa’s little helpers, comes and visits your home from Thanksgiving to Christmas eve and keeps an eye on your kids. Later in the night when everyone is asleep the elf travels back to the north pole to reports to Santa whether the kids were ‘naughty or nice’. And by the time you wake up, the elf would have travelled back to your home and is hiding in some new spot doing its work on keeping an eye on your little one. They are Santa’s eyes and ears and take their job very seriously!
ELF ON THE SHELF RULES
Well, the elf on the shelf does come with some strict rules and to follow the tradition through one must abide by these rules.
- You must adopt the shelf by naming him, then only the elf is yours and can visit you again and again over the coming years. I really like this elf on the shelf, which comes with a small keepsake box to store your elf and an elf on the shelf book with the adoption papers at the end of the book to adopt your little elf and give him a name. A great keepsake for Christmas and a memory to pass on!
- The next one is to dress up your elf, only if you want. There are so many cute outfits available out there for elves to choose from. Few options are this cute gingerbread costume available at amazon, naughty pj’s, 3-piece skirt set, princess gown and my favourite one is the baker outfit.
- Most important rule! Your kids cannot touch the elf otherwise he loses his magic. So, it’s basically up to your parents to move the elf to new places every day in the morning.
- Your elf cannot move from the place for the entire day and is only allowed to be naughty in the night when everyone is asleep! How easy for the elf!
- Although the elf is hiding, occasionally you can let your little one speak to him about their wishes, what they need for Christmas making sure that they don’t touch them. Otherwise, the elf loses its magic!
Now that you know about the ‘elf on the shelf’ tradition, below are a few creative ways that I came up with at our home to hide our little elf so that he can keep an eye on my girl!
1. Cold in the freezer
This is probably the best place for your little elf to hide as it is hard for your kids to spot them. Elves are supposed to be living in the north pole and will love it in your freezer as it’s cold.
2. Sitting on a mantle
High up cozy on the mantle is a great place for the elf. Ideal for days when your little one would want to speak to the elf and share their Christmas wishes with him.
3. Sleeping in the crib
Great place for the elf if you have an abandoned crib in your home that your little one has outgrown. You can also create a small Christmas wonderland in your stand-alone crib to bring in the Christmas spirits in your home.
4. Too many of us
Hide your elf in a display spot with other toys. This makes it harder to find the elf.
5. Swaddled to sleep
Keep your elf snuggled in between all your clothes where your little one’s hands cannot reach.
6. I am ready to eat
I like to display our elf sitting on our kitchen slab, where Mishika cannot reach. Again, a great spot for days when you would allow your little one to speak to the elf without touching them and share their Christmas wishes with him.
7. Peeking through the Christmas tree
This is such a pretty spot for the elf to sit. I love that it goes so well with all the tree decor.
8. Sitting on a window slab
Comfortably seated on a window slab or you could also use this single wall mount for your elf.
9. I am so organized
Keep your little elf neatly pinned down with all your spoons and forks in your kitchen drawer. A way too hard location for your kid to spot.
10. Somewhere in the Christmas town
You can create a small Christmas town display using cotton for snow and pretty Christmas decor and hide your elf in this town. I still have to create this spot in our home. This would be the final spot for our elf before Christmas.
If you were looking for an easy solution, I hope that this list of elf on the shelf ideas were helpful. Also sharing below a few creative elves on the shelf options available at amazon.
In case you are looking for similar topics to read on the blog,
The complete umbrella stroller guide
Ringing in Christmas celebrations in Toronto
9 super-useful travel gears for flying with a toddler
Leave A Comment