Welcome to Elf Central! If you've just stumbled upon this popular holiday series starting with this post, you won't want to miss all the great elf action we have organized for you:

Elf on the Shelf Central: All of the ideas and instructions you'd ever need for some festive fun rounded up in one spot for your convenience here.

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Hi again!  I'm Carey Pace, a mom who loves imagination, creativity,  and FUN!  I'm sharing an entire Elf on the Shelf season here on Peanut Blossom.  If you're just joining us, this post is number 5 in a 6 post series for 2014!  Previously we covered the Elf on the Shelf INCORPORATING THE TOYS.  Now let's consider

GIFTS AND PRANKS!!!

 

PRANK: DECORATE DADDY'S FACE

Last year my son entered the world of enjoying pranks.  He looooooved catching Daddy stepping outside and locking him out in the cold.  So we knew that the kids would find it utterly hilarious if Jolly pranked Daddy.  My husband is such a fun dad and a good sport, so he was perfectly willing to play the part.

I picked up a super cheap pack of face paint sticks similar to this from Hobby Lobby or Walmart to do the drawing.  I had considered using an eye liner and lip liner stick, and think that probably would have worked better.  I'm certainly no face painting expert, but these were hard to get vivid colors with and make precise marks.  I wonder if this set on Amazon would work better? It has better reviews.

I set my alarm for a Saturday morning when Daddy would be waking "after" the kids would, and barely got it drawn before the kids barged in.  But OH.  They LOVED this.  They LOVED that Jolly got Daddy.

 

 

PRANK: UNDERWEAR THE TREE!

We go to a Christmas Tree farm to select and cut our tree each year.  But we were late in the day, and I barely got the lights on the tree before bedtime.  We didn't have time to decorate with our ornaments.  That is apparently against the official North Pole Elf code of conduct.  Once a tree enters your home, you MUST decorate it.

So Jolly helped us out.  Since there were no ornaments out, he used the kids underwear to adorn the tree.  They are at the age where they found this to be hilarious.  What if your Elf on the Shelf though to bring CHRISTMAS UNDERWEAR with him??? I LOVE these for girls and these boxer briefs or these ordinary briefs from Hanna Andersson.  That would be combining gifts AND pranks!

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Jolly usually brings a gift or two to help us get into the holiday spirit.  This year was no different.

 

GIFT: MAGNETIC POETRY

I always wanted a set of magnetic poetry when I was younger.  I had no idea they had sets for younger audiences these days!  Jolly thought it was a perfect time to bring a beginner set for the kids since they are both fairly new readers having been in kindergarten and first grade.

They make a whole variety of sets for kids!  Magnetic Poetry First Words, Magnetic Poetry Kids Story Maker, Magnetic Poetry Kid Genius, Magnetic Poetry Kids Really Big Words, and even Spanish, French and Chinese versions!

 

GIFT:  ELF HATS AND SHOES

Last December I made the many hour trek to visit Ikea Charlotte and found this adorable elf hat and shoes in the children's section.  PERFECT elf gift!

Is this hat not THE cutest elf hat you've ever seen?

The kids were THRILLED.  I will caution you:  my son wore a size 2 tennis shoe last year and the green slippers were tight on him.  This year he's totally outgrown them.  The blue ones didn't fit at all.  My daughter wears a size 1 now and I doubt the green slippers will make it another year as a functional item.  However, they'll make a lovely under the tree decoration for years to come.  I do wish Ikea offered them in several sizes instead of one size.

 

 

If you aren't near an Ikea, these on Amazon look like wonderful alternatives.  Clockwise from top left:

Red or Green Elf Hat with Ears,
Santa's Helper elf shoes and hat,
Rubie's Costume Wired Santa Striped Hat,
Felt Elf hat with Jingle Bells.

 

Stay tuned for the last post in the series: FOOD: Snacks and Sweets!

 

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 Tennessee with her son and daughter.  

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