Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas

20 No Stress, Last Minute Elf on the Shelf Ideas + Reasons Why Elf Didn’t Move

 

It’s that time of year. The elf on the shelf is back!

If you’ve done this before you know the routine. It starts off super fun and you get creative. You’ve got your elf roasting a marshmallow over tea light candles, frozen in a block of ice by Elsa from Frozen, and you’ve posted your elf in a super cute kissing booth surrounded by Hershey’s kisses.

Then after the first or second week you wake up in a cold sweat because you forgot about that Elf on the Shelf. In a panic trying to have Elf be a snow angel in sprinkles, they dump all over the floor. Your kitchen looks like a holiday fairy spontaneously combusted and you hold back a swear because you know if you utter one F-bomb or even a damnit, it’ll be the first word your two year old won’t stop saying.

We know how you feel. That’s why we did some research for you and put together some great, simple ideas to keep the Elf on the Shelf fun for everyone.

And, if you forget to move Elf we know just what to tell your kiddos. See our list of excuses at the end.

1. Stuck in a Cup

Elf on the Shelf easy ideas, stuck in cup. Photo: Andiamo.
Photo: Andiamo

2. Captured

Elf on the Shelf easy ideas, captured. Photo by Jennifer Saintz Photography
Photo: Jennifer Saintz Photography

3. Worst Cookies Ever

Elf on the Shelf Ideas, worst cookies for Santa

4. Hiding in the Fridge

Elf on the Shelf ideas, hiding in the refrigerator
Photo: New Mercies

5. Elf on Strike

Elf on the Shelf on strike, listen to your parents.

6. Stuck in Toilet Paper

Elf on the Shelf stuck in toilet paper.

7. Reading a Book

Elf on the Shelf reading a book
Photo: A Thrifty Mom

8. Napping in Tissue Box

Elf on the Shelf napping in Tissue Box

9. Stuck in the Blinds

Elf on the Shelf stuck in blinds

10. Egg Face Shenanigans

Elf on the Shelf egg faces

11. Elf Makes Bananas Minions

Elf on the Shelf Banana Minions

Photo: Stacy Molter, Fancy Shanty

12. Peeking at Gifts

Elf on the Shelf peeks at gifts
Photo: MyFrugalAdventures.com

13. Elf Sleeps in a Sock

Elf on the Shelf elf sleeps in a sock sleeping bag
Photo: Lemons and Laughs

14. Elf Gets Stuck

Elf on the Shelf stuck on front door

Photo: Crystals and Comp

15. Caught in Candy Bag

Elf on the Shelf stuck in candy bag

Photo: A Life Examined

16. Elf Hydration

Elf on the Shelf stuck in water dispenser

17. Elf Grows Tall

Elf on the Shelf gets tall with wrapping paper stilts

18. Elf Rides Roller Coaster

Elf on the Shelf dryer turns into roller coaster

Photo: Dana Manrose

19. Elf Rides Dinosaur

Elf on the Shelf rides a dinosaur
Photo: Snippets from Suburbia

20. Elf Says Goodbye

Easy Elf on the Shelf says goodbye with marshmallows

Photo: She Knows

21. Elf Forgot to Move

Don’t panic if you forgot to move Elf! We’ve got you covered. Here are a few excuses to use if you need them:

  1. Elf is exhausted, he/she must have needed a break.
  2. Uh oh! Elf must be stuck. Lets give him/her a little more time to move. We’ll see what happens tonight.
  3. Do you think Elf forgot he/she was there yesterday?
  4. I bet Elf ate a bunch of cookies and couldn’t move.
  5. Maybe he/she moved just an arm to try and trick you.

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