Store this under Parenting.
Ok, so if you’re anything like me, you LOVE to make things magical for your little ones, especially for the holiday season, but HATE how much effort it takes. I always find this push and pull because that magic feeling was all I wanted in my childhood but wasn’t always practical in our household. And now I get to create it for the girls, and when I hear them talk about what the crazy things the elves got up to while they were asleep, it gives my heart pure joy… but it takes a lot of mental effort to remember to do it everynight and be creative at the same time. So here I am, trying to make it just a little easier for me (and you) to manage and create magic for the babes with {somewhat} minimal effort.
So, in light of how I organize my work and home life… everything in a calendar, pre-planned out, I decided to do the same for my Elf on the Shelf adventures. This year, I put together a 24 day guide that takes away from me (and now you) having to think of an idea every night, and on some nights, it invites a fun activity for the family to do together.
“I’m baaaack!!!”
This is always the easiest one because it’s new, we’re excited, and mine usually come with some sort of letter telling the kiddo’s to be good 😅. This year, they’re bringing the advent calendars I bought for the girls.
Growth Chart
This ones a cute one… like they grew from last year 🫠. Chart it next to our kids heights and see how they measure up each year 🤣.
Melted Snowman gift
This would be a great “I brought you back a gift from North Pole” one and it’s simple enough to do with things we already have at home.
Self Portraits
While the elves have their self portraits, we can get our kids to follow along with the art work and make holiday cards for the season… saving us a little $ and adding a little something personal to our holiday greetings. Heck… make them make the wrapping paper while we’re at it 😂.
Weekend Campout
The kids can do a living room campout with the elves. This ones kinda tricky cuz then we’d have to be extra quiet when we’re changing the elf scene lol. But we’re pros… we can do it.
Toys attack
Naturally… we’ve all seen Toy Story and know how their toys get when a newbie arrives.
Mondays
The floor is lava sums it all up, and takes minimal set up effort using paper + scissors.
Taco Tuesday
Because it’s Taco Tuesday…. duh.
Letters to Santa
I’m sure the list has already begun, but now is a good time to get them to write it down and gives us enough time to mail it out! Just don’t forget to take a picture of their list (which I’ve done many times in the past)!!!
Hide + Seek in the fridge
This ones my favourite because it takes so little thought and effort. I just wrap them in a face towel and call it a night.
Game Night
This takes a little more effort on our end. We’d have to prep the ‘elf-sized’ game board, like twister. But this would lead into a family game night too!
Weekend Campout
Another fun little campout the kids can do with little set up for the elves! All we need is toilet paper and a faux tea light.
Spa Day
I’m definitely not wasting a cucumber on this, but can definitely cut out green paper in lieu of. And I would use paper towel, it has a little more gurth.
Monday Feels
I thought this was a fun way to start the last week of school! Especially if it takes a lot out of the family on Mondays.
Egg Art
Who doesn’t love an egg with a smirk? This is a regular elf trick in our household and it puts a smile on my fave every time!
Cracked Egg
Ok… you have to be willing to waste an egg for this. But it’s pretty funny.
Wall Art
This ones easy. Just make sure you’re using quality painters tape that will hold the elf up without ruining your walls!
Game Night
Can you see a pattern here? I’m trying to make it easy for us while creating fun family weekends lol. And the game set up doesn’t need to be specifically jenga or twister. They’re just the easiest to set up.
Candy Cane Hunt
What better way to keep your kids busy the first winter break weekend. Heck, this could take all break for them to find. The prep just takes a little more effort on our end. But if we’re planning this now, there’s lot’s of time to prep!
Holiday Baking
And if we’re not a baker, or don’t have the time, this can end here. But if we are planning on baking, this could be our guide for what sweets we use as toppers 😜.
Holiday House Clean
This is the perfect opportunity to get the kids to tidy up their rooms and play areas before all the Holiday Festivities begin. And it’s super easy to prep with toilet paper and a post it!
Wrapped Up
If your kids are anything like mine (when they were young at least), they’ll want to help wrap gifts (not theirs obviously) so let’s let today’s elf encourage wrapping day… and if the kids made the wrapping paper, even better!
Movie Night
Kick off the holiday festivities with a movie night. And if you’re like me, I won’t eat the same popcorn the elf used, but I will re-use it to string for decor!
Final Day
We did it! But this ones kinda big and requires some major prep. I’m going to make all the clues lead to their first gift they open on Xmas Eve. And you better believe I’m going to ask Chat or Claude to build it out for me. I don’t have time to figure it out myself. But if the kids are jerks leading up to this point, the treasure hunt will lead them to wait for their next clue when the elf comes back next year 😆.
I created this for myself to make life a little easier during the holiday season, but always had you all in mind. I’d love to see what you end up doing, if any. Please share them with me on instagram!
xx, LJ
P.S. Share this with a friend who might find it useful.