25 of the BEST Elf On The Shelf Ideas! Find fun posing ideas for moving your elf, cute free printables, elf arrival ideas and many more DIY ideas for your kid’s Christmas elf. Enjoy over a month of elf ideas!
Enjoy 25 of BEST Elf On The Shelf Ideas!
When it’s time for your Christmas Elf on the Shelf to arrive, you might be either excited or dreading it. We always get excited when our elf Peter comes to visit. He is a sneaky elf and always comes up with the funniest things to surprise us.
We always have lot of fun catching our elf doing wacky things like showing up in a Kissing Booth, with a doctor’s note because he’s sick and can’t move, or playing elf video games! He also enjoys taking marshmallow baths and is always up to something silly!
Originally published on December 15, 2011. Updated in 2018
Over a Month of Elf on the Shelf Ideas
I’m happy to have over a MONTH of super fun ideas here for your Christmas Elf on the Shelf! You can also find tons of cute ideas on my Pinterest Christmas Elf Board here.
Recently, I asked those of you on the Living Locurto Facebook page to send me your Elf on the Shelf photos. In about five minutes, my in box was loaded with hilarious Elf photos!
Apparently, there are a ton of crazy little elves out there watching over little boys and girls. I got so many photos, that I couldn’t feature them all here, so I chose 25 photos to feature in a “Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Posing Guide” e-book.
A few of my favorite Elf on the Shelf ideas
Here are a few of your Elf on the Shelf photos that made me laugh out loud!
Dana’s Elf on the Shelf, was caught texting in the middle of the night. Shame on him!
Shannon’s elf, named Shelf, was a good little guy and delivered donuts all the way from The North Pole! Yum!
Ginger’s Elf on the Shelf tried trapping her kids in their bedrooms! What a prankster!
Does your Elf get wacky too? Share your photos with us.
Get featured by sharing your Elf on the Shelf Photos on Instagram with the Hashtag #LLBlogElf or add your photos on our Facebook page. We’d love to see your photos if you use any of our ideas and printables. It’s so much fun!!!
Get more fun Elf on the Shelf Ideas!
Find more of my favorite elf printable designs in The North Pole Elf Shop!
Our Favorite Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Along with your 25 Elf Ideas (Get the free printable book below), I’ve rounded up some of our favorite ideas over the years. I know you’ll find lots of cute ideas for your elf here. Enjoy!
Elf Arrival Letter that Encourages Kids to Give Back
This simple Elf arrival letter is a great way to encourage kids to give!
Elf Doctor’s Note
Every parent needs this Printable Elf Doctors Note that says No moving for 3 days… it’s the doctor’s order.
Elf Kissing Booth
I Love this ADORABLE Elf Kissing Booth that my Elf showed up in one day! He’s so original and creative:-) Click over here for the printable file.
Plant “Magical North Pole” seeds and watch cookies grow!
Get this free printable letter from Santa with magic seed planting instructions. Our kids loved when our Elf on the Shelf Peter did this!
Elf Photo Booth Printables
Get our Elf’s printable “elf sized” photo props. Watch out though, Barbie can get wild!! See the elf and Barbie antics here.
We had a Lego Ambush!
A Lego Ambush is what happens AFTER the photo booth party with Barbie. Oh oh! Better invite everyone to the party next time!
Elf Appreciation Party Photos from The North Pole
Elves LOVE to party! Our elf Peter brought these fabulous photos from the party to my kids. They got wild! Get the printable Elf Party photos for yourself here.
Top 10 Reasons Why Your Elf on the Shelf Did Not Move
These Top 10 Reasons Why Your Elf on the Shelf Did Not Move is the perfect read for kid! It explains it ALL!
Dreaming of Summer Elf
Peter was sick of the cold weather and we found him laying out in our window getting a tan one day. He’s so silly! See more and get the printable beach towel and elf sunglasses here.
Disney Frozen Elf on the Shelf Free Printable
If your kids love Disney’s Frozen, this free printable Frozen Elf Idea is super fun!
This Elf Arrival Idea is one of my favorites!
25 Elf on the Shelf Ideas
For more great Elf on the Shelf Ideas from Living Locurto readers, download the free printable book, 25 Fun Elf on the Shelf Photos. Well it’s not really a book, but we’ll just call it that okay? Thanks to everyone who submitted such fun photos!!
Download the free printable 25 Fun Elf on the Shelf Ideas below
–> Click here for 25 Fun Elf on the Shelf Ideas
© 2018 LivingLocurto.com
We love if you share on your websites! But, please ask permission to use photos.
More Adorable Elf Ideas
- 5 Adorable Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas
- How to Make an Elf Hair Bow
- Elf Munch Snack Mix
- Elf on the Shelf Printable iPhone Arrival Idea
To See ALL of our Elf on the Shelf Ideas, click the photo below.
Karen Porter Bedillion says
November 19, 2014 at 1:09 amCUTE
Grammalynne says
November 5, 2014 at 10:24 amThis may be an unpopular stance, but i feel compelled to share. While I commend the creativity, how is an elf that is reporting naughty/nice behaviour back to Santa being a good behaviour model if it’s doing all these “mischievous” pranks. Our elf does his share of fun in the places it appears, (in the closets, hanging out near the shower faucet, in the fridge…) but only models behaviours appropriate of a sprite helping Santa. We also keep it handy year ’round, in case small ones need to be “reminded” that Santa’s always watching, even in summer…
Poly party says
July 21, 2014 at 9:01 amWhat a wonderful ideas. I will keep them in my mind…as Christmas time approaches. You gave me great ideas for entertaining kids better. Thank u.
ElfExpressTravel says
December 26, 2013 at 11:49 amIs it time for your Elf to go North ?
We can help make the trip safe and enjoyable.
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This includes a cozy magic travel package delivered to your door by the postman and fantastic elf quarters for them to rest and relax until the perfect time next year when they return to your home. They will arrive within 5 days of the date you provided. They will be ready to work with all magical powers restored. Be sure to pass this along to all the elf owners you know !! http://www.jaxnotary.com/ElfExpress.php
Sherri Hayward says
December 1, 2013 at 3:15 pmvery cute
Tammi Heefner says
November 27, 2013 at 2:49 amCUTE!
Melissa Hail says
November 10, 2013 at 9:33 amThis will be our first year for Elf on the Shelf with our first grandchild and was trying to download the link to your ebook but it is not working for me. HELP
Amy Locurto says
December 5, 2012 at 12:22 pmThanks Lisa. We love Peter our Elf:-)
Lisa Griffin says
December 4, 2012 at 11:43 amWe love the ELF of a Shelf – and it is now part of our holiday traditions. Really cute ideas, so much so I had to share it. THanks for posting!
Alese says
November 30, 2012 at 10:57 amToday I am posting a round up of Elf of the Shelf ideas on my blog. I will be including some of your ideas and link to your blog. If that is not ok with you please me know. Thanks.
mamafbfan says
November 29, 2012 at 10:13 pmI found your post via Pinterest. I’d love for you to come share your ideas at my Everything Elf on the Shelf link up!
http://www.shecookscraftsruns.net/2012/11/everything-elf-on-shelf-idea-party.html
Lee Ann says
November 29, 2012 at 12:55 pmThanks for the ideas and inspiration! Our Elf, Scout, has been more active this year than prior years. Our daughter is 9, so he’s apparently pushing the boundaries a bit more than just playing hide and seek. His first day here, he was hanging out with Hello Kitty. Snuck in to the Cocoa Puffs and was having cereal in the kitchen when he was caught. He tp’d our Christmas Tree and has hung by the dining room chandelier. I wonder what he’ll get up to next! Great blog and site…new visitor and quick fan! Merry Christmas!
lisa says
November 28, 2012 at 9:14 pmDo you and or could you come up with a template for the donuts box?
Amber T says
November 12, 2012 at 2:20 pmHey there! Thank you so much for this! I added a link to your page on mine for an Elf on the Shelf idea compilation that I made. Here is the link: http://kindacrunchymamalife.blogspot.com/2012/11/elf-on-shelf.html I hope that’s ok?! Thanks again so much!
Debbie Long says
November 9, 2012 at 4:50 pmI have a picture of my Elf on the Shelf sitting on a John Free bronze horse I think it is still my favorite one.
Emma @ My Book Corner says
November 6, 2012 at 7:02 amThese look awesome – we are loving The Elf on the Shelf here, thanks for sharing!
Kristin says
September 8, 2012 at 2:37 pmCame over here via Pinterest, and I love this post! I was so boring with him last year, but I’m definitely using some of these this year. Thank you!
Amy says
September 22, 2012 at 9:32 amThanks! I love finding new elf posing ideas too.
EL says
January 25, 2012 at 11:16 amThese are wonderful ideas! Like the reports I’ve seen at http://www.ShelfTheElf.com
conroe tx real estate says
December 17, 2011 at 11:41 pmSuper cute! How cute is the elf phone holder! Awesome.
Jarrod
Rachael says
December 17, 2011 at 6:01 pmso these things aren’t really magic? 🙁
Katherine M says
December 16, 2011 at 11:07 pmSo, for those of you who have Elves who sit on the floor or in the middle of the dinner table – how do you coax them to move so they aren’t trampled by the kids or pets? Just wondering.
Darrell says
December 16, 2011 at 9:36 pmThis is great, it’s a job remembering to move this booger every night
Nicole says
December 16, 2011 at 8:57 amThanks so much for posting these ideas. We have done the tee-peeing idea and the snow angel and they were a huge hit! My girls think that our elf, Jingle has been eating too much sugar and it is making him more mischievious!
Dan Willett says
December 16, 2011 at 7:30 amWhat about a bath in Jelly?! that would be a good shot! make it happen please!
K says
December 15, 2011 at 11:10 pmI tried to download the posing guide but it’s not working?
trump hollywood condo says
December 15, 2011 at 7:36 pmThe elf kind of looks like Pinocchio. 🙂 Awesome creativity! He’s doing pretty clever things as well. Thanks for the pictures.
Amy says
December 15, 2011 at 12:23 pmI heard the cutest idea yesterday where the Elf made a snow angel out of sprinkles. And then one where he was hiding in the cupboard sitting with a bottle of syrup.
Cassie says
December 15, 2011 at 11:57 amI love this! This is the cutest idea!
Andi says
December 15, 2011 at 11:44 amThanks for some cute ideas! You can check out what our elf, Manny has been up to this month! http://my-scraps-of-life.blogspot.com/2011/12/elf-on-shelf.html
teresa says
December 15, 2011 at 9:41 amHow cute- wish I had one…..perhaps next year. =)
Clara says
December 15, 2011 at 9:25 amI want to see more Please!! Too Cute!!
eila says
December 15, 2011 at 9:07 amlove your ideas!! so fun to see what other families come up with. thank you for sharing– and providing some inspiration for the next 10 days!! if you would like to see what ours has been up to too, here’s the link to our elf antics: http://fullplatecookinglessons.blogspot.com/search/label/elf%27s%20antics
TidyMom says
December 15, 2011 at 8:57 amSO cute Amy!!! I wish he was around when my girls were little