Elf on the shelf
And energy.
Making the decision to welcome your Elf on the Shelf for the holidays is one thing. Coming up with cute and creative ideas for 12, 24, or (ack) 30 days straight is another story entirely. Even the most dedicated DIYer can start scrambling for scenarios as Christmas comes closer, because how many times can your elf be “caught” with a box of open cookies on your kitchen counter? Elf on the Shelf kits are an easy way to keep your kid entertained and save your sanity during the holidays, too.
Typically, Elf on the Shelf kits come in two sets: 12 days, for those who are commitment-wary so close to Christmas, and 24 days, for people who prefer having their elf celebrate starting smack dab on December 1. The sets usually come all prepared with props and scenes that are elf-tastic; for example, your elf might be found ready to pucker up in a kissing booth, or with a tiny roll of toilet paper that they’re planning to deck the halls with. Step-by-step instructions will tell you how to set up and place your elf so that every morning leading up to Christmas will be sweet, silly, and magical.
Most of all, these Elf on the Shelf kits take the guesswork of what you’ll do with your elf each day and allows you to focus on what matters most to you — having fun with your child during the holidays.
1
24-day DIY Elf prop kit
If you don’t mind a bit of DIY, this adorable kit to prop your Elf on the Shelf is packed with enough stuff, including daily instructions, to support you for 28 days. A hot air balloon for your elf to ride in on, a magazine cover featuring your family elf, and a whole ice fishing set-up are just a few of the examples in this cute kit.
2
Spa Day Prop Kit for Elf on the Shelf
Rather than a big box of 12 or more days’ worth of ideas, you just want to be able to create one or more elaborate set-ups to round out what you already have planned. This adorable Spa Day kit for your elf comes with a basin, robe, refreshments, and teeny tiny skin care and beauty products, and more.
3
Complete Elf on the Shelf kit
There are so many fun activities for your elf to do in this complete kit from Etsy seller The Elf Kit Company. In addition to coming with welcome and goodbye letters, this kit also has naughty and nice notices, so your child will know exactly how they’re behaving before your elf reports their findings to Santa Claus. There are even introduction letters and adoption certificates if this is your first year celebrating with the Elf on the Shelf.
You can select from a variety of options: 12-, 24-, or 31-day kits, and enough props to accommodate one, two or three elves.
4
Printable Elf on the Shelf kit
Sure, you might want to get an Elf on the Shelf prop kit that does most of the legwork for you, but you still would like to do a little DIY, too. Enter this printable Elf prop bundle kit from Etsy seller MadLovesKiwi. You’ll get a slew of ready-to-print ideas (like a Christmas countdown calendar, a mini elf cornhole game, and even a gingerbread elf kissing both), as well as step-by-step instructions for editing and printing the PDF files. Even though the items are tiny (they have to be elf-sized, after all), be sure to have plenty of cardstock or photo paper and ink to bring these cute creations to life.
5
Pop-up Elf on the Shelf kit
Forget about fiddling with instructions or excess accessories. The Elf on the Shelf Insta-Moment Pop-Ups is a colorful and cute way to let your elf get in touch with their wild side. From being behind the counter at a doughnut shop, to rocking out on the drums for an exclusive Jingle Bells concert, all it takes are a few folds to bring these scenes to life.
6
Creative Elf on the Shelf kit
There are 28 days of silly scenes and fun adventures in the Ultimate 2023 Christmas Elf Kit. Maybe your elf will encourage your child to find the ball hidden under three tiny red plastic cups or show them the cookies that they whipped up while your kid was sleeping. Your elf might want to help with holiday shopping and came up with a list of ingredients that you should get the next time you’re at the store, like hot cocoa, candy canes, and eggnog. Whether your elf gets “caught” riding Rudolph or is looking to score a home run, the kit comes with quality items that can be reused (and loved) for years to come.
7
12-day Elf on the Shelf kit
With the Elf Christmas Kit Activity set from BashBoutiqueGifts on Etsy, you get 12 days worth of accessories to prop your elf. If you don’t need something new for every single day that the elf returns (perhaps you already have some fun hiding ideas up your sleeve that don’t require the use of extra props, this is a reasonable collection of items, many of which can be repurposed next year. You’ll get welcome and goodbye letters (for the first and last days) that you can personalize for your child. Every day is labeled and has the necessary props for a simple setup. Your elf might make some s’mores or get a hole-in-one when they play a game of golf. You won’t get bored with this jam-packed set — and your child won’t, either.
Even if you’re an ardent Elf on the Shelfer, you might not have a ton of time to come up with sensational scenes for your elf in the days and weeks leading up to the holidays. Using an Elf on the Shelf kit will ensure that the antics your elf gets into are always elfin hilarious.
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