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

Photo: Andiamo

2. Captured

Photo: Jennifer Saintz Photography

3. Worst Cookies Ever

4. Hiding in the Fridge

Photo: New Mercies

5. Elf on Strike

6. Stuck in Toilet Paper

7. Reading a Book

Photo: A Thrifty Mom

8. Napping in Tissue Box

9. Stuck in the Blinds

10. Egg Face Shenanigans

11. Elf Makes Bananas Minions

Photo: Stacy Molter, Fancy Shanty

12. Peeking at Gifts

Photo: MyFrugalAdventures.com

13. Elf Sleeps in a Sock

Photo: Lemons and Laughs

14. Elf Gets Stuck

Photo: Crystals and Comp

15. Caught in Candy Bag

Photo: A Life Examined

16. Elf Hydration

17. Elf Grows Tall

18. Elf Rides Roller Coaster

Photo: Dana Manrose

19. Elf Rides Dinosaur

Photo: Snippets from Suburbia

20. Elf Says Goodbye

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.

One Spray to Keep Monsters Away

How to banish monsters: DIY Anti-Monster Spray with FREE printable label

When I was a teenager my little brother (he’s 11 years younger than I am), was scared of monsters. He thought they were hiding under his bed, lurking in his closet behind his clothes, or tucked behind the dark, shadowy places in his room. To ease his fears, we would use Anti-Monster Spray and mist anywhere a monster would fit. It helped him sleep at night.

As an adult with my own children, I remembered the powers of Anti-Monster Spray. I bought an unlabeled bottle and used fresh lavender from our farm in Bend, Oregon to make lavender water for an Anti-Monster Spray. I use the spray to ward off what goes bump in the night and spray my kids pillow to help them naturally fall asleep. The lavender water smells so good.

I still have a few bottles of my own Anti-Monster Spray. If you would like a bottle with aromatic, natural lavender water they are for sale for $18. To place an order email me.

Make Your Own Anti-Monster Spray

1. Buy a small spray bottle.
2. Make lavender water (add 5-8 drops of lavender essential oil to 1 liter of distilled water).
3. Pour lavender water into spray bottle.
4. Add a label that says “Anti-Monster Spray” or print our free downloadable labels on sticker paper (Avery label 22826.
5. Spray under beds, in closets or anywhere a monster can fit to eliminate monsters.

 

Back to School, Back to a Schedule

Isn’t it great school is starting again? You can finally get back on a regular schedule. Although the school season poses it’s own unique challenges. Early dismissal, snow days, and other school breaks often leave parents in a pickle. The Snappy Sitters childcare network has your back, here’s how:

1. After School Babysitter

Sometimes you just need help between after school and work. A Snappy Sitter can pick your child up from school (every sitter has reliable transportation) or they can meet them at the bus stop. You decide what your child needs after school. Do you want them to eat a healthy snack when they get home? Do you want them to be active and play outside? Do you want them to get help with their school work? Communicate with your sitter to get the most out of your childcare.

2. Early Release Wednesday
We know, it doesn’t make any sense that kids get out of school early one day a week. Yay for the teachers in the Bend-La Pine school district that have more time for training and professional development. For parents, especially those that work, early release is a hassle. Snappy Sitters is here to help, let us deal with that extra time on Wednesday. A sitter can pick up or meet your child so you can focus on keeping to your regular schedule.

3. Help with Carpool
Sometimes you just need help getting your kids from point A to point B. Whether they have after school sports, music lessons, tutoring or a play date a Snappy Sitter can pick them up from school and get them to their appointment.

4. Babysitting for Sick Kids or Days Off School
We know you want to be there for your kids when they are sick but every once in a while that doesn’t sync with real life. If you find yourself in a pinch with a sick kiddo schedule a Snappy Sitter to take care of your little one. Our sitters will make sure they get what they need whether it be medicine, warm chicken soup or a bedside story. We can also help on those extra days off school.

When is early release, different school schedules and days off in the Bend-La Pine school district? Click here for the 2018-2019 calendar.

Summer Survival Guide for Parents

We’ve been waiting for the warm days and bright nights of a Central Oregon summer but this sweet season brings its own challenges when you have kids. But don’t fret, we have a staff of safety-screened babysitters to help get you through the dog days of summer.

Here are three ways a Snappy Sitter can get you through summer:

1. Your Babysitter Cancels at the Last Minute

When your babysitter cancels it can be the worst. It takes time to find someone you trust with your children. When you have to try to find someone new at the last minute lots of parents end up canceling their plans. But don’t cancel your plans! Simply book a new babysitter with us. Snappy Sitters was started by Kaja Caravelli, a Bend, Oregon mom with two children, who knows the challenges of childcare. She personally vets every single sitter which means each babysitter is safety-screened and has reliable transportation. So don’t get upset or freak out if your babysitter cancels – you can book a new babysitter online at Snappy Sitters in less than 10 minutes.

2. Your Kiddo Isn’t Old Enough for Summer Outdoor Activities
When was the last time you kayaked Sparks Lake, spent the afternoon on your SUP at Suttle Lake or floated down the Deschutes River? You don’t have to miss these fun summer activities if you have little ones. Let one of our Snappy Sitters babysit while you head to the great outdoors for some adventure. And don’t feel bad about leaving your sweet kid behind. Our sitters understand this is an amazing time of year to play outside so simply give your Snappy Sitter permission and they can take your kids swimming, biking, hiking or create a scavenger hunt for them. With Snappy Sitters everyone in your family can have fun this summer.

3. Your Little One Gets Sick Over Summer Break
If you have your child in daycare or day camp you can get derailed if they get sick in the summer as a working parent. Snappy Sitters can help you during these last minute emergencies. We have a pool of babysitters that can save the day when your little one doesn’t feel good.