85 Creative Elf on the Shelf Ideas To Get You Through the Holiday Season

As Christmas approaches, it's time to think about important seasonal topics such as presents, trees, stockings and, of course, Elf on the Shelf! This holiday activity brings plenty of joy to families, but it can also be a headache to come up with new Elf on the Shelf ideas each day or so. Fortunately, we've got 85 awesome ideas to share, so whether it's your very first year of setting up the elf, or you've been doing it for years, you'll be able to get plenty of inspiration from our list.

In our house, we've been participating in this popular activity thanks to a fun friend of ours who gave my daughter her own Elf on the Shelf for the Christmas season. Being an older child, we read the accompanying book together countless times, and my daughter often takes it upon herself to both dress the elf, and move it to various points in our home. Also, the elf hangs out with us all year long. Kind of a fun twist to the idea behind the Elf on a Shelf, but the creativity has brought her much happiness.

Related: 25 Best Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas in 2023

What’s the "real story" behind the Elf on the Shelf?

The Elf on the Shelf is actually magic, capable of watching the children every day and reporting back to Santa each night. The trick is this elf moves to a new spot each day, and when the children wake up, they go through the house looking for where the elf moved.

When did Elf on the Shelf become popular?

As CNBC reported, Elf on the Shelf was originally a poem written in 2004. The following year, in 2005, it was put in a self-published mother-daughter book, written by Carol Aebersold and her daughter, Chanda Bell. The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition is based on their family’s Scandinavian holiday tradition that started in the 1970s. Their own beloved Frisbee started out as a Christmas ornament, and it grew into a bigger fixture over the years—a magical elf in the Santa story.

But in 2007, Elf on the Shelf started to really gain popularity. So what changed? In November 2007, there was a photograph of Jennifer Garner with an Elf on the Shelf box in New York. In December, the Today Show ran a segment on the elf. And the rest is happy holiday’s history.

How do we start doing Elf on the Shelf?

Now, we can all be a part of the Aebersold tradition. Select the elf of your choice, and make some ground rules for the kids. In addition to the book and elf, give your Elf on the Shelf his or her own style, choosing from a variety of clothes and accessories. And then, begin featuring him in various areas of your house (doing as many hilarious things as possible!) throughout the holidays. ’Tis the season for fun!

Here are 85 creative ways to incorporate Elf on the Shelf in your own home this winter, or longer if you so choose.

85 Creative Elf on the Shelf Ideas

1. Set up an easel with a painting done by Elf.

2. Prop up Elf holding a microphone for karaoke.

3. Feature Elf making a snow angel (by using flour).

4. Make an ornament out of construction paper

Use a cutout face that the Elf could put his face through, just like Housewife Eclectic shows!

5. Create Bingo cards and invite Elf to play.

Just like Artsy Fartsy Mama has done!

6. Put Elf in front of a painting, appreciating art.

7. Have Elf "baking" some holiday cookies.

Just like @momsbistro shows!

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8. Let Elf play Tic Tac Toe with another toy friend.

As perfectly demonstrated by @crafymumofgirls!

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9. Have Elf climb the wall using adhesive wrapping bows.

Shown here by @teodorsadventures!

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10. Have Elf go camping.

Just like @jessicatardif_ did with this adorable setup!

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11. Show Elf playing the piano with sheet music for a seasonal song

Choose something like "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree."

12. Make a snowman with play-dough and put Elf beside it

Perfect for Frozen fans because, after all, don't you want to build a snowman?

13. Put Elf in a shoe.

14. Surround Elf with ice cubes with a sign that says “Ice Ice Baby.”

Related: 100 Best Elf on the Shelf Name Ideas

15. Have Elf hold a recorder with sheet music for “O Christmas Tree.”

16. Set Elf in a candy jar.

17. Make Elf go fishing for Goldfish.

18. Have Elf spell out a child’s name using cereal.

19. Make S’Mores with Elf (using a battery-operated candle).

20. Put Elf in a silly costume.

21. Put a calculator in Elf’s hands to work on math problems.

22. Make it look like Elf is in the middle of doing a puzzle.

23. Put Elf near a blank sheet of paper and a pencil, asking the children to write a story about him.

24. Get a blank card and let Elf help write a note to a loved one.

25. Place Elf on a map or globe, and learn about the place he’s “visiting.”

26. Chart out the weather for the week and let Elf play meteorologist.

27. Put Elf in a mug with a cocoa packet.

Related: 22 Christmas Cookie Recipes

28. Place Elf in a bowl of popcorn.

29. Place Elf in a homemade swing (use string and a popsicle stick).

30. Serve Elf mini cupcakes for dessert.

31. Have Elf hold a sign that says “Snap, Crackle & Pop,” and make Rice Krispy treats.

It's fun to pretend to be a different elf for a day.

32. Place Elf on the Christmas tree.

33. Put new clothes for Elf in the Advent calendar.

34. Show Elf posing with Santa Claus for a picture.

35. Have Elf kneel at the Nativity scene.

36. Place Elf on top of a gingerbread house.

37. Feature Elf on a laptop sending an email to Santa.

38. Have Elf sticking out of stocking, before they’re stuffed with other goodies.

39. Put out a plate of cookies and carrots so Elf can feed Santa and the reindeer.

40. Place Elf in a sink of cotton balls for a bubble bath.

41. Create a spa mask for Elf.

42. Wrap Elf in a towel and put mini cucumber slices on his eyes.

43. Use a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste to brush Elf’s teeth.

44. Put a bubble bath bottle in Elf’s arms and let him help draw the bath.

45. Have Elf hold a crayon beside a coloring book.

46. Place Elf in a crafty mess of glue, glitter and paper.

47. Put Elf in a pile of wrapping paper and bows, busy wrapping gifts.

48. Swap out a photo in your house with a photo of Elf, with him posing by it.

49. Put knitting needles in Elf’s hand

And maybe even make a tiny elf-sized blanket! If you're crafty with needles and yarn.

50. Show Elf posed while sliding down the stair banisters.

51. Give Elf a stack of marshmallows, ready for a snowball fight.

52. Put Elf in a Barbie car going for a ride.

Come on Barbie Elfie, let's go party!

53. Make Elf outdoor accessories; rain or shine.

54. Let Elf TP a bedroom.

55. Use jumbo-sized marshmallows to have Elf make a snow castle.

56. Build an igloo for Elf to live in.

Related: 50 Best Elf on the Shelf Memes

57. Make something Elf-ish using Legos.

58. Build a block or Lincoln Log house for Elf to visit.

59. Put Elf next to a few Barbies to have a conversation.

60. Place Elf on the windowsill, taking in the view.

61. Move Elf into your child’s dollhouse.

62. Put Elf by a first aid kit, needing to get a doctor’s check-up.

Maybe your kids can cure Elf.

63. Play Pin the Nose on Rudolph with Elf.

64. Make a Twister board with construction paper, and position Elf on it.

65. Show Elf playing hockey with an upside-down candy cane.

66. Place Elf on a beach towel reading a good book.

67. Find Elf bundled up in the tote for hats and scarves, because “Baby, It’s Cold Outside."

68. Get kids’ scissors and show Elf cutting out paper snowflakes.

69. Trace the Elf’s shadow on a piece of paper, with him beside it.

70. Place Elf in a coat pocket.

71. Show Elf sticking out of a backpack.

72. Give Elf a spin on the record player.

73. Show Elf with his head sticking out of a hooded sweatshirt.

74. Give your child new pajamas, with Elf delivering the package.

75. Set Elf in an apron pocket on holiday baking day.

76. Show Elf writing down in the calendar that it's his birthday.

77. Tuck Elf into a mitten—surprise!

78. Sit Elf on the couch to watch Elf.

79. Make a black top hat for Elf and watch Frosty the Snowman.

80. Put a bell by Elf while watching It’s a Wonderful Life.

81. Make a sign for Elf that says, “Ya filthy animal!” and watch Home Alone.

82. Place Elf in a bowl of popcorn for a movie night of your choice.

83. Dress Elf up like a shepherd in a robe with a staff and watch A Charlie Brown’s Christmas.

84. Make red noses for everyone and watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

85. Lay Elf down beside you, taking a nap!

It's hard, tiring work being an Elf on the Shelf.

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