25 BEST Elf On The Shelf Ideas

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!

Get the Elf Phone Printable Here

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

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More Adorable Elf Ideas

25 of the BEST Elf On The Shelf Ideas