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    Home » Holidays » Christmas

    Published: Dec 2, 2019 by Anna Luther · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Slackers

    It's Elf on the Shelf season.

    And as much as I love to see the shenanigans that my friends' elves get up to, I just can't get it together to do the same for my kids.

    In fact, most nights I can't even remember to MOVE the elf - and Even Steven has to run down in the morning before the kids come downstairs.

    Even Steven

    I want to do better.

    I want to have an elf that spends his nights in the hot tub with Barbie or stages an all-out war with the toy dinosaurs.

    But it just ain't going to happen.

    So if you're anything like me - this calendar is for you.

    Elf on the Shelf for Slackers

    Elf on the Shelf - for Slackers

    Day 1: Your elf arrives. Put him on the nearest shelf. Read your kids the book. You're done.

    Day 2: Move your elf to the dining room light fixture.

    Day 3: Move your elf to the kitchen windowsill.

    Day 4: Forget to move your elf. Tell your kids that he only moves if they've been good the day before - so must be they were naughty. Tell them to try harder.

    Day 5: Move your elf to a shelf in the family room.

    Day 6: Move your elf to the back of the toilet.

    Day 7: Put your elf in the minivan. I know - we're getting a little creative here.

    Day 8: Move your elf to a shelf in the entry way.

    Day 9: You've been working hard for four days. Give yourself a break. Tell your kids that they must have been naughty again and to try harder.

    Day 10: Move your elf to the top of a cupboard.

    Day 11: Move your elf to a spot on the Christmas Tree.

    Day 12: Forget to move your elf. Your kids will know why he hasn't moved.

    Day 13: Move your elf to the top of a lamp in the family room.

    Day 14: Forget to move your elf.

    Day 15: Forget to move your elf.

    Day 16: You are the worst parent ever. Forget again.

    Day 17: Okay - less than 10 days left. We can do this! Move your elf to the bathroom again.

    Day 18: Move your elf to a kitchen light fixture.

    Day 19: Move your elf to your bedroom.

    Day 20: Move your elf to a window ledge in the family room.

    Day 21: Move your elf to the top of the washer or dryer.

    Day 22: Move your elf to the top of the television.

    Day 23: Move your elf to the bulletin board.

    Day 24: Move your elf to the kitchen counter.

    Day 25: Move your elf back to the Christmas tree.

    GREAT JOB! You did it!

    Day 26: Quick! Move your elf back to his box and hide him away until next year.

    Want to *TRY* to be Amazing with your Elf on the Shelf? I have ideas for that too!

    If you want to have the greatest Elf on the Shelf EVER, then keep reading. Not only will I walk you through how to make your elf more poseable (using wire, velcro and magnets) without sewing a thing, I'm also going to give you ideas for his arrival as well as his goodbye and everything inbetween - including printables, easy and creative ways for him to get into mischief.

    HOW TO MAKE YOUR ELF ON THE SHELF MORE POSEABLE USING WIRE, VELCRO AND MAGNETS

    It is so easy (and fun!) to make your Elf on the Shelf more poseable (and much more likely to get into mischief) using wire, velcro and magnets - and there's not a bit of sewing required.

    How great is that?

    FIRST, WATCH THIS VIDEO TO SEE THE STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

    Click here for the full step-by-step tutorial.

    How to Welcome Your Elf on the Shelf (or Say Goodbye)

    A special Elf on the Shelf brunch can be a super fun way to kick off your Elf on the Shelf season!

    Click here for some fun details on how to make your brunch super special (including my favorite OJ pancake recipe and Grinch Juice!)

    Fun Games to Play With Your Elf

    While the kids don't usually get to play with Mr. Elf, that doesn't mean they can't still play some Elf on the Shelf games!

    How to Decorate a Tree for your Elf on the Shelf

    Free Printable: Elf on the Shelf Mad Libs

    Free Printable: Elf on the Shelf Charades

    Free Printable: Elf on the Shelf Photo Props

    Free Printable: Elf on the Shelf Coloring Sheets

    Great Ideas for Your (Now Poseable) Elf on the Shelf

    Stumped on how to pose your Elf on the Shelf tonight? Have no fear - I have hundreds of ideas for you. (Seriously. Hundreds!)

    Great ideas for your Elf on the Shelf

    100 MORE Ideas for your Elf on the Shelf

    More Christmas

    • Three DIY Dollar Store Christmas Ornaments
    • Whether you're hosting an Elf on the Shelf brunch as an introduction to the season or as a goodbye party for your Christmas Elf, your kids will love these Christmas Elf games, coloring sheets, Mad Libs, photo props and charades. And you will love these simple and delicious recipes for orange juice pancakes and "grinch juice." This DIY Elf on the Shelf breakfast doesn't get any easier than downloading these free printables and following these simple ideas for a brunch that you and your kids will always remember.
      Christmas Elf Brunch -- Games, Recipes, Free Printables
    • If your kids love Elf on the Shelf and love Mad Libs, they are going to LOVE these Christmas Elf Mad Libs. This free printable will have them giggling as they fill in the blanks and create silly stories about their Christmas Elf.
      Christmas Elf Mad Libs
    • Your kids will LOVE decorating a tree for their Elf on the Shelf. And you will love how SIMPLE this project is. No glue needed. This fun Elf on the Shelf DIY craft is perfect for your next Christmas party for kids.
      How to Decorate a Tree for your Christmas Elf

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. jes e says

      December 08, 2013 at 10:33 am

      This is such a true story!. That is exactly how we do it, the only difference is a few more missed days...this year he did not move from Monday to Wednesday. We use the excuse mommy and daddy went to bed to late...

    2. Tkgrandmom says

      December 08, 2013 at 1:24 pm

      You don't have to spend all that $ on elf on a shelf. Get a stuffed toy from the dollar store and tie a Christmas ribbon around it and name it. Kids don't care it's not an elf they just like getting up and looking for where it moved to.

    3. Jennifer A. says

      December 10, 2013 at 12:11 pm

      Have I mentioned you are BRILLIANT??? You make me feel much more 'normal'.... if there is such a thing. Problem: I'm too much of a slacker to HAVE a Christmas tree yet, so I'd better get on to that before I have to put the darned elf in one.

    4. Jennifer A. says

      December 10, 2013 at 12:13 pm

      Oh fiddlesticks. I just checked and tomorrow's tree day! Oh well, there's always next year...

    5. Shyanne says

      December 15, 2013 at 8:29 pm

      I had to buy a new elf too lol. Unorganized moms with chaotic homes should not buy elves 😉

    6. Linnae says

      December 18, 2013 at 11:24 am

      The whole elf on the shelf thing makes me tired just thinking about it. And a little bit cranky, if you want to know the truth. That's probably why we don't have one and will not be getting one in the near future! I'm sure if I did succumb at some point I would definitely be on the slacker list, though. My creativity for stuff like that tends to run out about the time I put the kids in bed.

    7. shaaa says

      December 21, 2013 at 8:33 am

      We bought the knock-off elf for $2. It works just as good.

    8. Bedroom Design For Couple, Bedroom Design For Girl, Bedroom Design For Kids And Baby, Bedroom Design For Men, Bedroom Design For Teenager, Bedroom design For women, Bedroom Furniture Design, Bedroom Interior Design, Top Bedroom Gallery says

      February 20, 2014 at 3:19 am

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    « Older Comments

    Trackbacks

    1. Elf on the Shelf? - Page 6 says:
      December 9, 2013 at 2:13 pm

      [...] I need to set an alarm on my phone or something to remember, because this sort of describes me: Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Slackers - My Life and Kids Originally Posted by Chitowncy I learn so much from CycloneFanatic. "Elf on the [...]

    2. There is No One I Want to Punch in the Throat (aka the Defense of Twinkle) | Cwazy Town says:
      December 10, 2013 at 9:13 am

      [...] – a new wrinkle in the Mommy Wars – the “over achieving” Elf moms and self-declared “slacker” moms.  This division is logical enough, the Elf isn’t for everyone and for various reasons moms have [...]

    3. Elf on the Shelf Ideas says:
      December 24, 2013 at 7:00 am

      [...] those of you not into set design, this hilarious post will help you move the elf around your home with just enough gusto to keep up the [...]

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