This is our first year doing the Elf on the Shelf with the kids, we’ve had 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.
You can click HERE to follow our Elf adventures throughout the years.
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.
The elf stacked all our cereal boxes, then sat inside one of them while eating his own bowl of cereal
Coloring an elf picture, sitting in the crayon box
The kids found the elf hanging from candy canes hooked on the kitchen light fixture
Ringo Bells used a dry erase marker to write his own lyrics to Jingle Bells on the bathroom mirror
Found hiding in the freezer, enjoying ice cream with sprinkles
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”
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.
For a truly inspiring story about Elf on the Shelf, click HERE to read about how one children’s hospital is using these elves to add smiles to kids faces this Christmas.
Click HERE for all of my Elf on the Shelf adventures by our Elf Ringo Bells
Whoever invited the whole Elf on the Shelf is a genius 🙂 I love all the activities Ringo Bells has been caught doing!
Dawn from WithaSideofThriftiness.com
And, coming soon… "Celebrate the Bump!"
Boy I love it! I just may have to do this next year. Thanks for sharing the wonderful pictures. 🙂
This is so much fun! one of my son's friends has been posting her elf stuff on FB ..one day I saw their elves ( they have a boy and girl ) colored the milk green overnight, ha ha ! 🙂
I love your ideas. We just love our Elf!
Love the cereal and coloring ideas. Will be using those for sure. looks like you are having a blast with him.
HI! I found you on the bloghop and am your newest follower. I was kinda maybe sorta hopin' that you'd hop on by and follow me back!!
Happy Holidays!
Sarah
http://www.enjoyingtheepiphany.com
So cute! We don't have one but I've see the great ideas and yours are hilarious!
I can't say I'm hooked on the Elf on the Shelf idea. Maybe by next Christmas. There are so many people who are and I bet they love these ideas. Thanks so much for linking up at Thriving on Thursdays!
Anne xx