Our Elf on the Shelf, Ringo Bells, Shares a Few Creative Ideas

This is our first year doing the Elf on the Shelf with the kids, and so far, our first week has been a blast! The kids have named him Ringo Bells (you should know by now how we love The Beatles), and we're definitely doing a non-creepy version of the elf. No "the elf is watching you" stuff. The kiddos know it's me putting him out each night, and they've enjoyed finding him each morning. I've shared my creative ideas daily on my Instagram thread, but I wanted to share them here as well. Be sure to check out my other Elf on the Shelf post for even more ideas!
Enjoy!

Day 1- I got the kids the new Star Wars Advent calendar, and Ringo Bells wrapped it, then rewrapped it in a bigger box, then tapped the entire box with packing tape. Even better, they weren't allowed to use any scissors to open it.

Day 2- The elf stacked all our cereal boxes, then sat inside one of them while eating his own bowl of cereal

Day 3- Coloring an elf picture, sitting in the crayon box

Day 4- The kids found the elf hanging from candy canes hooked on the kitchen light fixture

Day 5- Ringo Bells used a dry erase marker to write his own lyrics to Jingle Bells on the bathroom mirror

Day 6- Found hiding in the freezer, enjoying ice cream with sprinkles

Day 7- I said the kids know it's me doing the fun ideas with the elf, so the four year old wanted to help me this time. He hid the elf with the little Christmas tree in the bathroom cabinet with the toothbrushes, along with a written clue to "Go Brush Your Teeth"

Day 8- I was out of town for the evening, so my twelve year old asked if he could be responsible for Ringo Bells, so of course I let him. He left little candy canes under the Christmas trees for his siblings, and the "elf" made a video of his adventures along the way. The kids got to push play on the computer to watch it.

So, that's been our week one! There's still more mischief to come, from now till December 25th! 
For a truly inspiring story I found, click HERE to read about how one children's hospital is using these elves to add smiles to kids faces this Christmas.

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