Elf on the Shelf ideas

The elf arrives on 1 December and leaves on Christmas Eve, which is twenty-four moves at a point in the year when you have no spare evenings. So this list is sorted by effort, not by cleverness.

Start with the five-minute ideas. Save two or three big set pieces for weekends. Nobody's child has ever complained that the elf was under-produced.

There's also a section for the morning you forget, because you will forget, probably around the 12th.

Five-minute Elf on the Shelf ideas

• Elf in the fruit bowl, wearing a satsuma as a hat.
• Elf zip-wiring across the room on a length of dental floss.
• Elf asleep in a slipper with a flannel for a blanket.
• Elf hiding in the cereal box, peering out of the flap.
• Elf caught in the biscuit tin with crumbs around him.
• Elf fishing in the toilet with a piece of string and a paperclip.
• Elf reading a book by torchlight under a tea towel tent.
• Elf riding a toy car down the stairs.
• Elf in the fridge with a note: 'Too warm in here for me!'
• Elf hanging from the curtain pole by his hands.
• Elf in a mug of marshmallows, having a bath.
• Elf on the fan or light pull, mid-swing.
• Elf raiding the chocolate advent calendar, one door open.
• Elf wearing a Christmas tree bauble as a helmet. Shop this card
• Elf on the windowsill waving at the postman.
• Elf tangled in the fairy lights.
• Elf sat on the tap with a toothbrush.
• Elf in the wellies by the front door.
• Elf balanced on the kettle handle.
• Elf with a Lego minifigure, playing chess with buttons.

Funny Elf on the Shelf ideas

• Elf has drawn on a family photo with washable pen (wipe-off, always test first).
• Elf has toilet-papered the Christmas tree. Shop this card
• Elf and the Barbies are having a very serious meeting.
• Elf has swapped the family's shoes to the wrong feet by the door.
• Elf caught in a snowball fight with cotton wool.
• Elf mummified in kitchen roll by the other toys.
• Elf writing on the bathroom mirror in dry-wipe pen: 'ELVES WATCH EVERYTHING'.
• Elf sat in the sugar bowl doing a snow angel.
• Elf drinking straight from the milk bottle.
• Elf holding the TV remote hostage with a ransom note.
• Elf riding the family dog's toy, with the dog unimpressed.
• Elf has replaced everyone's socks with one giant pair.
• Elf hiding in the sandwich bag in the lunchbox.
• Elf on the ceiling fan with a note: 'I regret this.'
• Elf and the teddies mid-conga line along the sofa back.

Kind Elf on the Shelf ideas

• Elf leaves a Christmas book to read that evening.
• Elf brings a note: tonight we're allowed hot chocolate before bed.
• Elf sets out a jigsaw and starts the corners.
• Elf leaves the ingredients for gingerbread on the worktop.
• Elf leaves a charity collecting tin and a coin each.
• Elf brings a pin badge as a small reward for a good week at school.
• Elf writes each child a note saying one thing he's proud of.
• Elf sets up a film night with the DVD out and popcorn ready.
• Elf leaves a card to write for a grandparent, plus a stamp.
• Elf lays out a Christmas jumper for the school Christmas jumper day.
• Elf leaves a torch and a note: 'Reading under the covers is allowed tonight.'
• Elf brings a small bag for old toys to donate.

Weekend set pieces (twenty minutes)

• Elf zipline from the banister to the tree, with a paper parcel.
• Elf baking: flour footprints across the worktop and a tiny rolling pin.
• Elf's hospital: bandaged teddy, cotton wool, tiny clipboard.
• Elf's cinema: marshmallow seats, a phone propped up playing a cartoon.
• Elf's campsite: kitchen roll tent, torch fire, marshmallows on cocktail sticks.
• Elf's snow scene: flour or cotton wool, toy sledge, bauble snowmen.
• Elf's art gallery: children's drawings pegged on string with elf admiring them.
• Elf's parachute jump from the light fitting with a napkin parachute.
• Elf's bowling alley: pens as pins, a bouncy ball, scorecard.
• Elf's post office: letters to Santa stamped and stacked ready to go.

When you forget (emergency ideas)

• He stayed in the same spot because he 'fell asleep watching over you'.
• He got stuck in the tinsel overnight - just move him two inches and add tinsel.
• Leave a note: 'Flight delayed, back tonight.' Blame the weather.
• He's hiding, and today is a hunt. Put him somewhere obvious and act surprised.
• He caught a cold from the North Pole and is under a tissue blanket.
• He went back to check on the reindeer and will return tomorrow.

Elf arrival and goodbye notes

• Arrival: 'I've flown in from the North Pole to watch how kind you are this month. Don't touch me - my magic goes if you do!'
• Arrival: 'Santa sent me to keep an eye on things. I'll be back every night until Christmas Eve.'
• Rules note: 'Three rules. Be kind. Be helpful. Never touch an elf.'
• Halfway note: 'I've sent a very good report to Santa this week. Keep going.'
• Goodbye: 'Off to help Santa load the sleigh. Thank you for the best December. See you next year.'
• Goodbye: 'My work here is done and my report is glowing. Leave a carrot out - he'll be here tonight.'

Shop Christmas cards

How to write it so it lands

• Set a nightly phone alarm for 9pm labelled 'elf'. It is the single thing that makes December work.
• Photograph each setup - it saves reinventing everything next year.
• Keep two 'emergency' props in a drawer: cotton wool and a pack of gift tags for notes.

Where to shop next

• Elf on the Shelf ideas
• Christmas Eve box ideas
• Advent calendar ideas
• Christmas quiz questions
• Christmas traditions in the UK
• World Book Day ideas
• Eid card messages
• Diwali card messages
• Chinese New Year card messages
• Christmas cards
• Secret Santa gift ideas
• Pin badges
• Buy party supplies
• Cake toppers
• Table confetti
• Celebration ideas
• Work Christmas party ideas
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas

Frequently asked questions

When does Elf on the Shelf arrive and leave in the UK?

Most UK families have the elf arrive on 1 December and fly back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, so that's twenty-four moves. Some start on the first Sunday of Advent instead.

What happens if a child touches the elf?

The usual story is that the magic fades. A sprinkle of cinnamon in a bowl overnight 'recharges' him, which resolves the crisis in about thirty seconds.

How do you do Elf on the Shelf without spending money?

Almost every idea above uses what's already in the house - loo roll, flour, cotton wool, dental floss, toys. Save spending for one or two small notes or badges as rewards.

What do you write in the elf's arrival letter?

Keep it to four lines: who sent him, why he's here, the rule about not touching him, and when he leaves. There are copy-and-paste versions above.