Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Here’s a simple, fun, and ready-to-go Elf on the Shelf ideas for busy moms!

We all know the magic of Elf on the Shelf is a holiday tradition that brings excitement to the kids, but let’s face it—life as a mom can get busy. Between work, school, errands, and everything else on your plate, the idea of coming up with creative Elf on the Shelf ideas every day until Christmas can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry, mama! I’ve got you covered.

In this blog post, you’ll find a list of simple, yet fun Elf on the Shelf ideas for every day leading up to Christmas—complete with a supply list and pre-made materials, so you can pull them off with ease. No more late-night scrambling or Pinterest searching! Just print, prep, and let the magic unfold.

Here is a calendar of what your elf is going to be up to each day. Feel free to swap days or move things around! You’ll see some elf things correlate with an activity, for instance, one morning he/she has tickets for an at-home Christmas movie night. Our family loves to do movie nights on Fridays but if that date doesn’t work for you no worries, shift this schedule around as much as you need to!

Here is a list of all the materials you’ll need. I think you’ll find you most likely already have everything in your own home.

Supplies you need to materialize this Elf on the Shelf ideas

Below you’ll see a detailed list of each day and all the supplies you’ll need to make the magic happen. With each day your elf will have a riddle for your child. You can print all these out at home and cut them ahead of time to make those mornings go even smoother.

Ready to make this holiday season stress-free and full of joy? Let’s get started!

December 1^st – Welcoming your elf

Your elf or elves will be making their first appearance. We love doing a holiday breakfast the day after Thanksgiving so it seems fitting to have our elf all set up and ready to go with ingredients to make a holiday breakfast. Not into cooking the day after Thanksgiving? No worries. Do donuts or have your elf popping out of a box of cereal. Just don’t forget to print off day one’s welcoming letter.

Want to be a little extra? buy a holiday mini waffle maker. We love ours and use it all season long!

December 4^th – Practicing wrapping presents

Wrap your elf in wrapping paper, ribbon, or bows to create the appearance they have been so busy wrapping presents all night that they even wrapped themselves.

December 5^th – “Rock” climbing the Christmas tree

Attach a string to the top of your Christmas tree and tie one or both of your elf’s hands to the string about halfway up the tree. Tuck legs in to create the appearance they are “rock” climbing the tree.

December 11^th-Christmas music dance party

Who doesn’t love a good dance party? Have your elf sitting on a speaker and propped up with his note. Then play your child’s favorite holiday songs.

December 14^th– Let’s make hot cocoa

Below you will see a homemade hot cocoa recipe. Pull these items out of your pantry and prop your elf onto them so he or she looks like they are ready to start making hot cocoa together!

Homemade Hot Cocoa Ingredients

• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups powdered milk or instant nonfat dry milk
• ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
• ½ Mini marshmallows

Directions

Combine all ingredients into a large bowl and whisk together. When you make to serve it add one cup of hot water to one cup of mix and stir. Enjoy!

Not into making your hot cocoa or don’t have enough time? No worries lay out some mugs and a hot cocoa packet

Don’t have something like that on hand or have enough coloring books? No worries here is a printable coloring page.

December 19^th – Magical rainbow

Prop your elf with a riddle next to a plate of Skittles. Have the Skittles lined up in a large circle on a plate and add warm water to the center. Slowly you will see the colors bleed to create a magical rainbow.

December 20^th – Christmas scavenger hunt

Who doesn’t love a scavenger hunt? Print out the scavenger hunt and have your little one find all the items on the list.

December 23^rd – Let’s make Santas cookies

Prop your elf in a mixing bowl surrounded by baking ingredients to make your Christmas cookies!

Feel free to use the homemade chocolate chip cookie recipe below or if you don’t have time to make them from scratch buy a pack of frozen cookie dough!

Homemade Cookie Dough Ingredients

• 1 cup salted butter softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup light brown sugar packed
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Directions

In a medium bowl combine all your dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt). In a kitchen aid or with a handheld mixer cream together the butter and both sugars. After mixed add in eggs and vanilla extract and mix one more time before adding dry ingredients. Lastly, fold in your chocolate chips. Use the dough to roll out balls about the size of 2 tablespoons and place them onto a baking sheet. Bake at 375 for about 10 minutes or until they start to slightly brown.