readinmom Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Anyone want to join in with their elf's daily escapades? Dd10's elf, Teddy, is due to arrive Sunday morning. Dh and I are trying to think up some creative new adventures. Frugal and free, of course. I know that Pinterest has oodles on this topic, but I really enjoy sharing with people I "know". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 We're doing it this year for the first time. The 4 year old has named the elf "Mr. Elfis" (play on Elvis.) I've got a list going of what I *want* to do, including very easy ideas for rushed mornings. If you want a laugh, though, look up adult-themed ideas! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Charley will show up tomorrow morning. My DH has a blast setting these things up. We'll send pictures to DS18 at college the next two weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Hermie arrives tomorrow morning. He's been with us for 4 or 5 years now. He'll be bringing Lego advent calendars for the kids. And this year he has a doll friend tagging along from the North Pole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriedClams Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Our elf is named "Dobby". He gets a sock for Christmas. :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plateau Mama Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 This was our first Elf. I put my 13yo daughter in charge of him for her younger brother (5). I'm not sure which one of them is having more fun. My little guy named him Jenga. The best part is seeing my little guy totally believes in the magic. He stuck his tounge out at me, he wasn't being bad but grandma said something to him. He immediatly ran to the Jenga and told him it was an accident and please tell Santa he wasnt being bad. LOL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SewLittleTime Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Our elf, Tinsel, arrives tomorrow with a copy of the movie Elf for family movie night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Elfie will be here tomorrow morning at our house. So many cute ideas for him this year. Need to just pick one :-). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Hermie arrives tomorrow morning. He's been with us for 4 or 5 years now. He'll be bringing Lego advent calendars for the kids. And this year he has a doll friend tagging along from the North Pole. Great idea with the advent calendars. Might be too late, but I'm headed to Target. Maybe I'll get lucky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berta Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Ours is named Dee although my daughter calls him "Santas Little Snitch". Last year he got into a lot of trouble. He took ALL the ornaments off the tree and we had to redecorate the tree the next morning. He ate all the candy out of the Advent calendars (luckily I had extra calendars ;) ), stole the Christmas stockings and locked the cat up in the dog cage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 He took ALL the ornaments off the tree and we had to redecorate the tree the next morning. You're a better mommy than me :svengo: :001_smile: !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkacademy Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Ours arrived lastnight, in a rocket!!! It was so cute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xixstar Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Oh man, wondering if it's too late to make this happen.... I think we could have so much fun with it this year..... But do I really need to buy the one that is available or pretend I would sew one up tonight or this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRG Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Our elf's name is TWO lol He will be arriving tomorrow with a sleigh full of elf kisses and instructions to make a paper countdown chain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted November 30, 2013 Share Posted November 30, 2013 Ours is named Dee although my daughter calls him "Santas Little Snitch". Last year he got into a lot of trouble. He took ALL the ornaments off the tree and we had to redecorate the tree the next morning. He ate all the candy out of the Advent calendars (luckily I had extra calendars ;) ), stole the Christmas stockings and locked the cat up in the dog cage. I like your elf, he sounds like ours. We need a spin off thread ... Elf on the Shelf, the Naughty Version. Our elf is a replacement for our original, which I lost. Rather than buy a new one, a friend gave us one that she picked up in a yard sale. He has seen better days. So we embraced it and made him naughty. He has toilet papered our tree, eaten an entire pie (found sitting in the pan, covered in pie goo), finished the candy (found in a pile of wrappers) and I can't remember all the other messes he's made. We started running out of ideas last year, so I'm going to steal some of the above! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Kate Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Okay...I officially stink as a fun, cool mom. This is our second year with elves (Buddy and Snowflake). Last year they arrived on the front porch in a box with a cool letter from Santa. They will reappear tomorrow, but I have nothing for them to bring! No candy, no toys, no ideas for a letter from Santa. I should have planned something fun...but I didn't. Sometimes I wonder why I start these traditions!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Elfie showed up this morning swinging from a candy cane trapeze. He broke into my new box of candy canes and curling ribbon and made a mess. He is having a great time though :001_smile: ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Okay...I officially stink as a fun, cool mom. This is our second year with elves (Buddy and Snowflake). Last year they arrived on the front porch in a box with a cool letter from Santa. They will reappear tomorrow, but I have nothing for them to bring! No candy, no toys, no ideas for a letter from Santa. I should have planned something fun...but I didn't. Sometimes I wonder why I start these traditions!!! I think you have a lot on your plate. Give yourself some space. If you google elf on the shelf you'll find a ton of easy ideas for tomorrow! Oh, and I'm with you. No plans, elf is arriving tomorrow. Oops. But... to add to the drama... I've lost the elf again. Uh oh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Okay...I officially stink as a fun, cool mom. This is our second year with elves (Buddy and Snowflake). Last year they arrived on the front porch in a box with a cool letter from Santa. They will reappear tomorrow, but I have nothing for them to bring! No candy, no toys, no ideas for a letter from Santa. I should have planned something fun...but I didn't. Sometimes I wonder why I start these traditions!!! Charley arrived. He is just sitting on the wreath over the fireplace. Nothing special. My littles were very excited to see him. You don't need to plan anything big. We pretty much just move him every night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari C in SC Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 We have Christopher Pop In Kins. He arrived in a boring way this year. He is just sitting in a lamp looking over at our unfinished tree like he is going to supervise till it's done. I will do better, I hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Mr. Elvis arrived in the refrigerator drinking my coffee creamer. The kids have decided HE should be on the naughty list! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Renee, that is hilarious! I am much more on the side of mischievous elves than those that spy on kids and "report" back to Santa. Maybe y'all can use some of the ideas these folks thought of in this great story that came up on my FB feed last week: http://www.buzzfeed.com/ailbhemalone/these-parents-are-spending-all-of-november-making-their-chil?s=mobile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VeganCupcake Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Charley arrived. He is just sitting on the wreath over the fireplace. Nothing special. My littles were very excited to see him. You don't need to plan anything big. We pretty much just move him every night. Yep. Penelope Peppermint is sitting on the lintel of the living room door and that's enough excitement for us! We just move her every night. Nothing elaborate or I won't be able to keep up. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkacademy Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 I can't post a link for whatever reason but if you google free rocket ship for elf on a shelf you can get the rocket pdf it was really simple to make took like 5 minutes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted December 1, 2013 Share Posted December 1, 2013 Yep. Penelope Peppermint is sitting on the lintel of the living room door and that's enough excitement for us! We just move her every night. Nothing elaborate or I won't be able to keep up. :) I sat down on Thanksgiving and came up with 30 or so ideas, and then bought the stuff that I needed. If I had to think of one everyday it would never happen! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reign Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 My girls favorite elf sighting was the morning she had gotten into our bag of flour. She sprinkled it around like snow, made a snow angel, and some snowballs. They were so excited to see the elf this morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kari C in SC Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 I sat down on Thanksgiving and came up with 30 or so ideas, and then bought the stuff that I needed. If I had to think of one everyday it would never happen! Ehem... Don't ya wanna share that list for those of us not organized people? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeannie in NJ Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 my nephew's elf arrived on Thanksgiving. He was squatting on the shelf with a Hersey's chocolate kiss under his bottom. Nephew's little girls loved it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovinmomma Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Wow. I was thinking this could be a great tradition. Something fun and cheap for the kids, but holy cow... $30+ for an elf? Wowza. I'm sure lots of you have gotten them cheaper.. passed on or at garage sales, etc. That was quite the sticker shock, though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkacademy Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Wow. I was thinking this could be a great tradition. Something fun and cheap for the kids, but holy cow... $30+ for an elf? Wowza. I'm sure lots of you have gotten them cheaper.. passed on or at garage sales, etc. That was quite the sticker shock, though! You don't have to have that elf. A lot of people use a different elf. I didn't even know what elf on a shelf was. We have an elf that had been on my mothers tree as a child, then on mine and years ago was passed to my kids for their tree. A friend came over and saw him and started asking where I got my elf on a shelf that looked so different? His face is a bit different the body style is about the same. I had to look up what an elf on the shelf was LOL! I would just try to find an elf and use that or even sew one like some other moms did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeannie in NJ Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 my other adult nephew went to buy a elf for his dc. He grabbed a female one and took it to the cashier. The cashier looked at it and said"Do you realize that this one is (spoken in a whisper) ethnic? " My nephew is half Puerto Rican and half Italian and is very dark himself and looks very 'ethnic". The cashier was white and next to her was a black cashier. THe cashier then said "We have white elves coming in next week" . Nephew just said that he was happy with the one that he had picked out. Can you believe that cashier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Ehem... Don't ya wanna share that list for those of us not organized people? :) Ok I will - give me a few minutes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 I found most of these online: Snow Angel (powdered sugar) Fishing in sink for goldfish Toilet papering tree Ducted taped to wall taken prisoner by green army men Drinking syrup Playing a game Circus Elf (hanging upside down from candy cane trapeze) Stuffed Animal Sack Race Elf Hid candy canes (scavenger hunt) Elf planted magic seeds (tic tacs in powdered sugar – replace with candy canes the next day) Tangled up in Christmas lights Taking a shower Snowball fight with barbee or stuffed animal (marshmallows) Hanging out in fridge On toilet paper roll swing Doing laundry In a shoe Puts streamers across bedroom doors Serving powdered sugar doughnuts Hanging from light Sitting in shoe holding laces like a sleigh Writing his own Christmas list Building block tower Watching TV with remote and popcorn Head stuck in M & M bag Kneeling on Bible praying (this is where he will be Christmas morning) Looking at toy catalog Bench Pressing (toothpick with marshmallow on each end) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRG Posted December 2, 2013 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Wow. I was thinking this could be a great tradition. Something fun and cheap for the kids, but holy cow... $30+ for an elf? Wowza. I'm sure lots of you have gotten them cheaper.. passed on or at garage sales, etc. That was quite the sticker shock, though! I bought an elf at Hobby Lobby for $2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 I detest everything about the elf. Only in America can we manufacture and market a "tradition" like this. My poor kids will have to stick to the plain old boring Christian tradition of advent. I do very much enjoy the "adult" elf jokes. How about you look at this a little differently. We never had Christmas traditions, because my children's father did not really like Christmas. We couldn't watch Christmas movies, we couldn't listen to Christmas songs, and I didn't get Christmas presents for YEARS. This is our first Christmas apart, and we are trying to create traditions. The Elf is *fun* - manufactured or not. I'm sorry if that offends you, but I for one am having a BLAST trying to make up for the past. I am glad to hear my children giggle in the mornings when they figure out where he is. And, for the record, we have never done the "Santa thing" in our house, so it really is just good fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wendy not in HI Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 My daughter is spending this year in Denmark as a missionary for our church. Christmas is a super big deal there, and has been in swing already for a couple of weeks. One thing she wrote about recently is Nisse. Nisse is a Danish elf that is a little bit of a trouble maker. Actually, there are many Nisser - lots of little silly elves. The Danes love those little Nisser and decorate with them all season. The tradition is that Nisse is a helpful little elf around old farm houses, but at Christmas time he/she can cause trouble, so families will leave out a bowl of porridge to sweeten him up a little so that his pranks will be more friendly than mean... When I read about the Nisser it reminded me of Elf on a Shelf. We haven't done the elf thing, because my kids are older, and it seems a little hokey to me, but Nisse sounds so cute. I am planning to make a few Nisser to put around our house and maybe I will have them get into a little trouble - just so we can feel like we are a little closer to our daughter in Denmark... but there is no way I would have a set schedule of daily pranks! I don't know why, but it feels a little nicer to think about adopting a sweet elf tradition from Denmark than going with something that Hallmark made up... (even though it's basically the same thing..) Here is a link where you can buy your own Nisser - Trip Trap Nisser And here's a little more about Nisse - Christmas in Denmark And here's where my daughter talked about the Nisser - Livet er Dejligt - scroll down, it's toward the end of the blog post. Isn't that fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berta Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 My girls favorite elf sighting was the morning she had gotten into our bag of flour. She sprinkled it around like snow, made a snow angel, and some snowballs. They were so excited to see the elf this morning. I love this!! I just did this with our elf and my DH thinks I've gone off the deep end. I can't wait for my DD to get up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 I love this!! I just did this with our elf and my DH thinks I've gone off the deep end. I can't wait for my DD to get up! I did the same thing with powdered sugar. My kids were mad I got him dirty. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRG Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 We are having a blast with our elf! My 3 year old loves finding him in the morning! We are not following any 'rules' that so many people seem to have their tinsel in a tangle about! So far our elf has brought a sleigh of elf kisses, camped out under the tree and roasted marshmallows and last night he was hanging out on the dart board. When we found him this morning he had fallen over and looked like he has hanging on for dear life lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khselee Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Snowflake is perched on the end table, with a "tent" he made out of a box last night, a blanket and pillow, cookies, milk, and some crayons, coloring and admiring our tree. Yesterday, he'd gotten "stuck" in my china house chimney. Ds couldn't even fathom how he'd gotten in there or why, unless it was to try and smell the candle.(I have a lot of fun with this) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SewLittleTime Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 My kids look forward to the elf. He's fun and for family it's been a great tradition. I'm sure as they get older they'll outgrow it, so we'll enjoy the elf while we can. We also enjoy our Jesse Tree tradition each evening. We were doing that long before the Elf. People are untitled to their opinions, but it sure seems a lot crankiness is being shared this year about the Elf (here and on FB). Today our Elf is having a snowball fight with Mr. Potato Head. They have forts made out of giant marshmallows. Mr. Potato Head is aiming a marshmallow at the elf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KRG Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 I have 10 Mr. Potato Heads and I'm trying to think of something to do with them and our elf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SewLittleTime Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 I have 10 Mr. Potato Heads and I'm trying to think of something to do with them and our elf.You could have the potato heads put their pieces on the elf like dress up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 We only just started our elf last year. My boys loved when Elfie was found waiting in the van already strapped in his seatbelt. We were going to the zoo that day so Elfie came along. The boys were a little concerned when they couldn't find him in the house. Their favorite last year was the last night he came. He was in a coffee mug (his sleigh) and monster truck reindeer were pulling him. The reindeer had pipe cleaner antlers and rudolph led the way. Love Pintrest :).I'm going to have the boys set up their Geotrax so the train dudes can strap Elfie down on the tracks. Last year I can do this since I'm selling the trains soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlktwins Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Today our Elf is having a snowball fight with Mr. Potato Head. They have forts made out of giant marshmallows. Mr. Potato Head is aiming a marshmallow at the elf. This one is on my list for this year also, except I have to substitute Mr. Potato Head with something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkacademy Posted December 3, 2013 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Our lego men have been trying to capture him for two days! Last night he was saved by the skylander Hotdog LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berta Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 I have a confession. Our elf has a split personality. After everyone goes to bed he gets into R-rated or X-rated trouble. I take a picture of it and then in the morning I have been sending the pics to my DH at work. My daughter would die if she ever knew the situations her elf has been into ;) . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 4, 2013 Share Posted December 4, 2013 How about you look at this a little differently. We never had Christmas traditions, because my children's father did not really like Christmas. We couldn't watch Christmas movies, we couldn't listen to Christmas songs, and I didn't get Christmas presents for YEARS. This is our first Christmas apart, and we are trying to create traditions. The Elf is *fun* - manufactured or not. I'm sorry if that offends you, but I for one am having a BLAST trying to make up for the past. I am glad to hear my children giggle in the mornings when they figure out where he is. And, for the record, we have never done the "Santa thing" in our house, so it really is just good fun. I have to agree with you. I'm not especially a fan of buying "THE" Elf on a Shelf boxed kit, but I do admire the fun of coming up with these funny situations for the elves. I have not done the elf thing - I'm afraid if I try to start it, my OCD will kick in and I will spend too much time trying to do something awesome! But I think it's cool and could create a ton of funny memories for the kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
readinmom Posted December 4, 2013 Author Share Posted December 4, 2013 I have to agree with you. I'm not especially a fan of buying "THE" Elf on a Shelf boxed kit, but I do admire the fun of coming up with these funny situations for the elves. I have not done the elf thing - I'm afraid if I try to start it, my OCD will kick in and I will spend too much time trying to do something awesome! But I think it's cool and could create a ton of funny memories for the kids. It's been about the memories for us. We are doing an advent wreath for the first time ever (25 years) and we have been eating in the dining room every night. We have a different topic of conversation, and it's been fun just spending quality time with the kids. Even ds23 didn't go out tonight until after dinner because he didn't want to miss the family time. We didn't do the elf with the boys. It's a new experience for us. There are people at work who go all out every night; I don't have the energy or finances. One had their elf arrive in a remote-controlled hot air balloon during Thanksgiving dinner. :lol: Our Teddy arrived last night in a bowl of cheerios. He wrote "I'm back" with the extra cheerios on the dining table. That's more our speed. It doesn't have to be extravagant. Just make some memories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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