Hey there, fellow elves!!!

It’s a magical time of year, and for many families, the magic of the season includes  US, the Elves on the Shelves! But, come mid-December, the magic may be running a bit dry. Whereas December 1st’s set-up may have been lavish, maybe you simply plopped from room-to-room today or maybe you forget to move last night at all (oops).

First, maybe you need a little help remembering to move??? It’s just so easy to go to the North Pole at night and come back to the same spot. It’s a tiring journey, after all. Maybe setting a phone alarm may be helpful to remind you to find a new spot???

Now, as a grade-A Elf, you know your child best. But here are some simple set-up reminders from our North Pole training handbook…

1. Play how they play!

  • Build memories together. Show up in a LEGO, Magnatile or Lincoln Log set
  • Be a doll, hang out in that Barbie house
  • Choo Choo! Be a conductor in their train set
  • Have a ball in their ball pit
  • Wage a battle with their army men or super heroes
  • Have a snowball fight (using marshmallows??) with their stuffed animals

2. Eat what they eat!

  • Mind your etiquette and enjoy a spot of tea during a tea party
  • Set up a hot chocolate station for them to enjoy in the morning, including marshmallows, sprinkles and peppermint sticks
  • Maybe we could introduce them to our foods, like in that one Elf movie. I think I saw some spaghetti, marshmallows and maple syrup in the kitchen…
  • S’mores are a hit with humans, so why not make a tiny one with a tiny tea light? Yum!
  • Chill out in the fridge one day… but maybe wrap up in a towel-blanket first so you don’t get TOO cold

3. Have a potty party!

  • Leave a note in toothpaste (maybe remind them to brush!!!)…
  • Let them find your chocolate chip droppings. Extra points if you spell something with your poo…
  • Hide in a toilet paper stack that has been made to look like a silly snowman
  • Feed their rubber ducky some bread
  • Show them how elves take baths! Find a tiny tub and fill it with sprinkles or marshmallows
  • Wrap up the toilet and top it with a bow
  • Take a nap in the tissue box
  • Borrow some of that face mask goop and have yoursELF a spa day

4. Drive where they drive!

  • Show up in the car, but don’t forget to wear a seatbelt! They will look for you all morning

5. Participate in their favorite sports/activities!

  • Slam dunk yourself into their basketball hoop
  • Strike a pose in a tutu (borrow Barbie’s outfits?)
  • Make a tiny work of art for them; maybe a sELF portrait
  • Leave them a Lite Brite message
  • Play one of their favorite card or board games with some of their stuffed animals

6. Watch what they watch!

  • Grab some microwave popcorn and snowcaps and leave a little note asking for a movie night

7. Read what they read!

  • Make a tiny blanket fort and set up a story time with some of their favorite character toys
  • Use one of their books as a tent
  • Surprise them with a NEW book
  • Dress up like their favorite book character. It’s pretty easy to add a lightning bolt scar if your kid likes Harry Potter

8. Be a part of their family traditions!

  • Is it time to bake cookies? Make a flour-angel in the kitchen
  • Help them decorate and add some fairy lights to the house
  • Show up in the Christmas tree with a new ornament, or even bring them an ornament kit
  • Remind them to wrap presents by wrapping yourself! don’t forget to wear a bow hat
  • Use an expo marker to draw Santa hats on photos around the house
  • Add something new to their gingerbread house… Looks like it could use a few peppermints
  • Help them decorate and make some cut-out paper snowflakes. You can leave them some paper and scissors, so they can join in on the fun!

9. Root for their favorite teams!

  • When it’s game day, gather their team gear and let them know you are rooting for that team, too!

10. Make ’em laugh!

  • Throw some googly eyes on household items. EYE’ve heard that’s always a hit…
  • Toots are always funny to tiny humans, too. Chew some of their gum and blow a toot-balloon
  • Banana-faces make them giggle a bunch
  • I’ve heard if you grate a potato, potato chips show up on the other side of the grater…
  • Put those aerial classes to use and show off by zip lining across a room

Being an Elf means making magic and memories for special kiddos. Keep it SILLY, keep it SIMPLY, and have FUN. There is nothing more amazing than seeing excitement in their little eyes every morning!

Happy Holidays!

From one elf, to another.