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Home » Blog » Celebrate » Christmas Fun » The Ultimate Guide to Elf on the Shelf: easy, clever ideas for busy parents

The Ultimate Guide to Elf on the Shelf: easy, clever ideas for busy parents

Nov 11, 2013 by Tiffany Dahle

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40 easy elf on the shelf ideas for busy parents. Have a magical holiday season with these creative and clever displays for your family's favorite elf.

40 easy elf on the shelf ideas

My friend Carey has the most awesome approach to festive fun with their family Elf on the Shelf. Each year she shares with us a few of her favorite tips. Her ideas are some of the most creative and inspirational Elf activities I've ever seen, I'm thrilled that she has agreed to join us again this year with more ideas and tips.

I know there are elf naysayers out there, but I think you'll find that Carey's approach is so wonderful because:

1. She has a purely positive approach--her elf is not a reward or punishment for behavior in any way.

2. Her tips are really easy even though her photos may make them look jaw dropping.

3. She totally shares her how-to's. If you see a photo and have questions, please leave her a comment and she'll be happy to give more specifics!

With a little bit of planning, anyone could truly handle Carey's practices. I hope you enjoy the ideas as much as I do!

Be sure to check out all her best ideas below and get ready to have some fun!

 

 

And quick, before you go . . .

Like to celebrate? Get on the list!!

I love sharing seasonal recipes and ideas for celebrating the holidays. Elf on the Shelf is one of our favorite traditions. If you'd like more ideas for the coming holidays, be sure to get on my weekly email list where I share the latest ideas for making the season special:

GET ON THE LIST
Elf on the shelf eats a cranberry bliss bar

P.S. Does your family have an elf? Join the conversation over on Facebook:

 

Post by Peanut Blossom.

 

 

Elf on the Shelf Central!!

The Ultimate Elf on the Shelf Guide: Everything you need to know for festive fun

  1. Plan, Plan, Plan! Everything you need to get started is right here.
  2. Three tips for making your Elf awesome! You've got him, rock him!
  3. Making sure you have a successful Elf season. Check out these three tips!
  4. Super simple tips for taking amazing Elf photos.

Elf on the shelf ideas by Carey Pace | Peanut Blossom

Inspiration for Elf Adventures:

  1. Awesome Arrival Ideas: Nothing says magic like an amazing entrance.
  2. Elf "OFF" the Shelf Adventures Guide
  3. Don't be afraid to repeat! What to do when you have 5 minute or less.
  4. Be flexible! Sometimes the best ideas aren't planned after all. Check out these cute impromptu poses.
  5. Embrace your creativity: Check out these awesome crafty ideas.
  6. Easy ideas using what you already have around the house. That chalkboard pose is my FAVORITE.
  7. More fun with friends: Using your children's toys to up your Elf game
  8. Tiny Trickster: hysterical jokes your Elf can play on the family
  9. Snacks and sweets: tiny treats from your resident Elf!

Sugar Cube Snowball fight with Buzz by Carey Pace

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Previous Post: « Meal Planning, Week 5
Next Post: Plan, Plan, Plan! »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lindsey Seale

    November 15, 2013 at 3:51 pm

    This is so cute! Elf on the Shelf at it's best!
    Any other ideas?-Thanks,Lindsey

    Reply
  2. Mandy

    November 18, 2013 at 9:45 am

    Love the Elf on the Shelf ideas! This is our first year, so I appreciate all the help/tips/tricks!

    Reply
  3. Tammy

    November 21, 2013 at 6:36 am

    I wanted to see how you started your elf on shelf. I don't want to use one for punishment or for reward either. Just want to have fun with it.

    Reply
  4. Debra Smith

    November 23, 2013 at 2:26 pm

    Thanks

    Reply
  5. Jeanine

    December 04, 2013 at 12:52 pm

    Actually, very cool! I have never heard of this before until this year! My LO attends a Provincial run Daycare for JK (she has slight developmental delays) & THEY Have .the elf on the shelf"! They move it constantly throughout the daycare and the children absolutely adore this PRACTISE! I look forward to reading this blog you've shared with us, so I can find out some more ideas surrounding this Elf guy 😀 Happy Holidays, Jeanine, Canada

    Reply
  6. Diney

    November 02, 2015 at 5:25 pm

    I purchased one last year to use on my son that is 23 and lives at home. He works for the Air National Guard and I think it will be fun to have Elf doing something, or send him pictures of what elf has done while he was at work.

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Don’t be afraid to repeat! » Peanut Blossom says:
    November 13, 2013 at 1:54 pm

    […] so excited to welcome back my friend Carey Pace this season to share her amazing Elf on the Shelf ideas with you! Do you participate in this festive tradition? – […]

    Reply
  2. Plan, Plan, Plan! » Peanut Blossom says:
    November 3, 2014 at 7:47 am

    […] so excited to welcome back my friend Carey Pace this season to share her amazing Elf on the Shelf ideas with you! Do you participate in this festive tradition? – […]

    Reply
  3. Photograph your elf. Yes, You! » Peanut Blossom says:
    November 3, 2014 at 8:49 am

    […] so excited to welcome back my friend Carey Pace this season to share her amazing Elf on the Shelf ideas with you! Do you participate in this festive tradition? – […]

    Reply
  4. Be flexible! » Peanut Blossom says:
    November 3, 2014 at 9:24 am

    […] so excited to welcome back my friend Carey Pace this season to share her amazing Elf on the Shelf ideas with you! Do you participate in this festive tradition? – […]

    Reply
  5. Elf “off the shelf” adventures » Peanut Blossom says:
    November 3, 2014 at 9:24 am

    […] 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. ______________________________________________________ […]

    Reply
  6. Elf Possible – 3 tips for a Successful Elf Season » Peanut Blossom says:
    November 3, 2014 at 9:32 am

    […] 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. ______________________________________________________ […]

    Reply
  7. 3 tips to make your Elf awesome! » Peanut Blossom says:
    November 3, 2014 at 9:33 am

    […] 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. ______________________________________________________ […]

    Reply
  8. Embrace the fleeting magic of childhood, do you believe? » Peanut Blossom says:
    November 11, 2014 at 10:45 am

    […] 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. […]

    Reply
  9. Up and Away!: airborne fun for your Elf on the Shelf » Peanut Blossom says:
    November 20, 2014 at 9:30 am

    […] 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. […]

    Reply
  10. Operation Creativity: A manual for mind-blowing holiday fun » Peanut Blossom says:
    November 20, 2014 at 10:22 am

    […] 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. […]

    Reply
  11. Elf & Friends: Using your toy stash to create a playful wonderland! » Peanut Blossom says:
    December 2, 2014 at 7:46 am

    […] 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. […]

    Reply
  12. Use what you have: Easy elf ideas for around the house! » Peanut Blossom says:
    December 2, 2014 at 8:22 am

    […] 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. […]

    Reply
  13. Tiny trickster: sweet and simple pranks for your elf » Peanut Blossom says:
    December 12, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    […] 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. […]

    Reply
  14. Snacks and sweets: tiny treats from your resident Elf » Peanut Blossom says:
    December 12, 2014 at 4:32 pm

    […] 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. […]

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Tiffany! I'm a mom to two sweet peanuts and author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids. I love to celebrate the seasons and make time for monthly book club fun.

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