It’s that time of year again! Maybe it’s your first time, or maybe you’re a seasoned pro. Either way, we could all do with a little inspiration, creativity and solidarity in the Elf antics in the lead up to Christmas.
Here are ten of our favourites…..
1.Sharpie Minion Bananas – grab a black flet tip pen and draw little minions on your bananas. Leave Mr Elf just hanging out by the bananas with the pen in his hand.
2. Frozen Elf – place your elf into a freezer safe container, top up with water and freeze over night. The trick with this one is to get him out of the freezer in his block of ice before the kids go searching. Set those alarms people!
3. Give to get – your Elf bring s little note and a basket (a laundry basket will do) or an empty box (hallelujah Amazon!) the note asks the kids to fill up the basket with toys they no longer play with so he can take them to the North Pole so they can be redistributed. Pre Christmas clear out anyone?!
4. Elf and Barbie Sleepover in socks – one of our faves. Tuck your Elf up in a sock ‘sleeping bag’ (even better if you have Christmas socks!) and maybe some barbie or superhero friends might join him for the sleepover. 
5. A chocolate number 2 – I have yet to meet a kid who doesn’t find this hilarious. Set your elf up on a glass ‘toilet’ with reading material and loo roll for added effect. Place a few chocolate chips in the bottom of the glass.
6. Family Photo editing – us e a dry wipe marker (so it will clean off) to draw funny faces on the glass of framed photos of the family.
7. Skittles Rainbow – get a saucer or small plate, place skittles around the rim and place a cup next to the plate. Our Elf left a little instruction note saying to get a little bit of warm water and gently pour onto the plate. Watch the skittles make a lovely rainbow pattern.
8. Elf brings a little something to reward good behaviour – a little extra chocolate, a Christmas story book or ‘tickets’ and popcorn for a Christmas film night.
9. Elf tapes Christmas wrapping paper to the door frame so you can only enter/exit by bursting through. Be super quiet with the tape if you decide to do this on the bedroom door and pray they don’t need a wee in the night! The kitchen door might be best!
10. Have an Elf Breakfast – Elf lays the table for a special breakfast, add some Christmas decorations or Christmas napkins etc and get some treats in – waffles, pastries etc.
Mumblers Top Tips:
Set an Elf alarm on your phone so you don’t get cosy in bed before you remember that you haven’t moved the elf.
If you do forget to move him, have your reasons ready…… is he poorly? Has behaviour not been up to scratch? Maybe he’s ‘hidden’ something and you just haven’t found it yet (buy yourself some time!)
Make day one easy – let him arrive with the advent calendar and a note from Santa
Be clear in your note that Santa says the Elf must stay in the house at all times. No trips to Nursery or School allowed! In the morning, he needs to go back on the shelf so he can keep an eye on things.
Keep it simple – there’s already a lot going on at this time of year so don’t add too much stress to yourself! Sometimes the Elf might just have wanted to play with the toys, or hang out in the Christmas tree or roll down the stairs in the loo roll.
Share your Elf on the Shelf Ideas/photos on the Stockport Mumbler Chat Group
