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    Home » Blog » Christmas » Elf on the Shelf

    3 Tips to Make Your Elf Awesome

    Published: Nov 28, 2012 · Modified: Oct 12, 2021 by Carey Pace · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Easy tips for making your Elf on the Shelf tradition even more magical this year. This wonderful Christmas activity will be something your family cherishes for a lifetime.

    An Elf on the Shelf is taking a bath in marshmallows

    If you want to take your Elf on the Shelf to the next level, these easy ideas will help give you more flexibility with the daily tradition.

    Even busy parents can incorporate these simple tips for making lasting memories for the whole family!

    3 Elf on the Shelf Tips

    If you want your elf season to be truly magical this year, these three tips are essential to keep in mind.

    1.  How to Hack Your Elf

    Have you seen the tutorial to hack your Elf? This lady is just brilliant!

    You put a bendable gauge wire inside your elf that allows you to pose his arms and legs, and you also add Velcro to his hands.

    The tutorial has you glue the Velcro, but I suggest you sew it (I had to use a thimble) for longevity.

    I found wire at Dollar Tree just the other day that I think would work perfect for this, too!

    Without having done this, I couldn’t have executed many of my awesome Elf days last year, like the Smores in the Calico Critters Dollhouse or the arms behind the head and legs crossed in the Marshmallow bath.  

    I know I was a tad hesitant after spending all that money on this elf to go after it with the seam ripper, but I did and it went just fine.

    Elf Marshmallow Bath

    2.  Elf on the Shelf Notes

    Just because your elf cannot speak doesn’t mean he can’t communicate!

    My husband starting writing the notes from Jolly the Elf and it just stuck. My kids have loved hearing what Jolly says to them each day. There was one day we didn’t include a note and our son was heartbroken. That sealed the deal for us.

    Plus, it adds another dimension to some of the elf antics. It is one thing to see the elf in the shower, but it takes it to a whole new level if the note explains that he’s in the shower because he accidentally stepped in reindeer poop on the way back from the North Pole last night.

    It’s cool for your elf to Candy Cane Zipline, but even more awesome if it is because the elf saw you use your backyard zipline and wanted to give it a try himself.

    If your kids are older and able to recognize handwriting, you’ll probably want to use a handwriting font and print your notes. (Just don't leave the computer program open for your children to find the next day!)

    Elf on the Shelf goes zip lining by Carey Pace

    3.  Don't Forget the Photos

    Last year I made it a priority to photograph our Elf's adventure daily. I wanted to feature them on my blog, but my biggest priority was to have the photos to combine into one awesome Christmas book decoration that could be a family memento.  

    We are visual creatures, and having that visual record of each elf activity has been awesome for my kids.

    Collect your images throughout the season and then use an online photo book software to create one awesome Christmas family heirloom for next year!

    One more tip! Jolly, our elf, wasn't always in the most light friendly locations in our home last year, but I didn't let that stop me.

    I used my tripod, which allowed me to use very slow shutter speeds for proper exposure, that I could never achieve just hand holding my camera.  

    Use your tripod if you own one, or set your camera on a book, stool, countertop, or anything stable!

    More Great Tips for Your Elf

    • An Elf on the Shelf is riding a toy dinosaur.
      40 Magical Elf on the Shelf Ideas
    • The Elf on the Shelf is sitting in a homemade 'hot air balloon' made from a red plastic cup and a streamer.
      3 Starter Tips for Elf on the Shelf
    • Elf on the Shelf sits on top of a Melissa & Doug chalkboard with a message that reads: "I will not hide too hard again."
      Naughty Elf on the Shelf Pranks
    • The Elf on the Shelf is swinging on a homemade swing in the living room.
      5 Flying Elf on the Shelf Poses
    Carey Pace

    Carey Pace believes that beauty waits to be uncovered in the ordinary moments of everyday life. She chases creative motherhood, honesty in her writing, and images that tell stories. Her faith in Jesus inspires her to explore and share the trials and triumphs of raising children while designing magical moments along the way. She is a seeker of Light, a starter of projects, a reader of books, a lover of food and flavor, and an encourager to others. She and her husband Shawn reside in Massachusetts with her son and daughter.  

    You can find Carey's writing and photography on Facebook, her blog, Instagram, and Pinterest.

    More Elf on the Shelf Ideas

    • The Elf on the Shelf has gift wrapped the family's granola bars.
      3 Elf on the Shelf Snack & Treat Ideas
    • Elf on the Shelf riding a Lightning McQueen car toy with a Christmas tree in the background.
      Playful Elf on the Shelf Toy Scenes
    • An Elf on the Shelf is hiding in a glass bowl pretending to be a snow globe. There's a small toy tree next to the bowl.
      Easy To Find Elf Hiding Spots
    • The Elf on the Shelf is soaking in a sink full of mini marshmallows.
      Elf on the Shelf Creative Tips

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    1. Megan henry

      November 28, 2014 at 1:37 am

      Do you pull the stuffing out when you put wire in the arms?

      Reply
      • Carey Pace

        December 02, 2014 at 8:34 am

        Hi Megan! No, I didn't. If I remember correctly, there wasn't much stuffing at all. The wire just slipped right in. Let me know if you have more questions!

        Reply
    2. Kole Meschke

      December 06, 2013 at 6:57 am

      These are really great ideas thank you!!!

      Reply
    3. Kim Rosas

      November 28, 2012 at 10:26 pm

      Great ideas and wonderful photography! I'm so glad my hack helped! Thanks for including me!

      Reply
    4. Kristy

      November 28, 2012 at 8:56 am

      Thank you for the tips! I just got mine in the mail yesterday (we did this last year with a cheap stuffed elf but I finally splurged this year for the $30 toy) and I was really disappointed with how cheaply made he is. I was hoping to be able to bend him too... now I know I have some work to do before Friday when he arrives 🙂 Thank you!

      Reply
    5. Rochelle

      November 28, 2012 at 8:39 am

      I can't get the link to work for the tutorial on adding wire to my elf. Can you send me the link? Thanks so much!

      Reply
    Newer Comments »

    Trackbacks

    1. The Ultimate Elf on the Shelf Inspiration Guide says:
      November 2, 2015 at 1:03 pm

      […] Three tips for making your Elf awesome! You’ve got him, rock him! […]

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    2. Snacks and sweets: tiny treats from your resident Elf - Peanut Blossom says:
      April 8, 2015 at 9:50 pm

      […] I had done the sink marshmallow bath in the past, I wanted to give it a little different twist last year.  I still had the fish bowl […]

      Reply
    3. 25 No-Fuss Elf on the Shelf Ideas | Simple As That says:
      April 24, 2014 at 12:26 pm

      […] race with stuffed animal friends.14. Zipline through a room in the house with a candy cane.15. Havw a bubble bath in the bathroom sink with mini marshmallows as […]

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    4. Elf on the Shelf Ideas | A to Zebra Celebrations says:
      December 1, 2013 at 4:00 am

      […] Elf on the shelf relaxing in a bubble bath Idea from Peanut Blossom […]

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    5. Elf “off the shelf” adventures » Peanut Blossom says:
      February 15, 2013 at 9:52 am

      [...] Elf Possible! Planning tips for Elf Season 3 Tips to make your elf awesome [...]

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