Budget - Elf on a Shelf Ideas

[Swimalie]

Our elf doesn't leave gifts, either. Our 6 year old just loves the idea of looking for him every morning.

 

[MNFootballMommy]

Ours doesn't leave gifts every day. Usually one ornament a season, the advent calendar and maybe a candy cane, hot cocoa or something like that. Of course for a six year old, the littlest things could be considered 'gifts.' Last year our elf scanned herself and then printed it out. DD still has that picture--it makes her laugh.

However, our elf isn't a 'tattletale'--she's an elf in training and is trying to learn about kids and what they do so that she can become a full-fledged "Santa's Workshop" elf. Yes, she communicates with Santa, but that's not what the focus is with us--it's more about the spirit of the holidays and the joy and magic of the season.

 

[marymac123]

Ours doesn't really leave gifts but he does get up to "elf hijinks" every night! He returns from the North Pole and then gets bored while everyone is sleeping. Here's what he did last year.

- drew a Christmas tree on our sliding glass door (required me to buy window markers, you could also use dry erase if you have them already!)
- was found dangling from a ceiling fan
- played with the kids' toys (I took pics of him playing with the toys- him inside the ball popper, him riding a train, etc and then printed them out on computer paper)
- went potty (green food coloring + marshmallow "poop")
- made hot chocolate
- played cards with friends
- got sent to time out
- enjoyed a bath in marshmallows
- made spaghetti like Buddy does in Elf- spaghetti with syrup
- was found enjoying the cold in the fridge
- built a Christmas tree out of cans
- decorated the Christmas tree in DD's underwear
- went fishing in hot chocolate (toothpick + string)
- was found outside in the cold
- was found in daddy's car, shopping bag of Christmas bows next to him
- had story time with his friends
- introduced the kids to "Elf Yourself", a free site
- made snow angels in flour
- built snowmen out of marshmallows
- brought the kids Christmas coloring books (from the dollar bins)
- cuddled up with a bowl of popcorn and his friends to watch "Elf"
- TP'ed the tree
- wrapped the bathroom door closed
- started a band with his friends
- drew a Christmas tree on the bathroom mirror with toothpaste
- decorated the house with candy canes alllll over

Whew. Hope that helps. The only things I bought specifically for the elf were the window markers (and again, you could improvise and use what you have, even lipstick) and the dollar coloring books. We used the candy canes in their stockings, so even those weren't bought just for him. I cannot wait to start again this year!

Way too funny!!! Great Ideas!!!! Our "Elfie" doesn't leave gifts. I can't wait to do some of these!!!

 

[libinatorsmom]

i guess I shoudl clarify - the gifts go with his "mischief" For Example

Brought a movie and was caught on the couch watching a christmas movie with her other stuffed animals and a bag of popcorn

Made mini cupcakes - brought a cake mix, frosting, and a mini muffin pan

brings an advent calendar on the 1 day of December and opens #1

Just thinks like that

 

[libinatorsmom]

Thanks for all the suggestions - sorry for those that got a little testy with me - its not like I spend $100's of dollars or anything - like under $20 for the whole month... just little fun things - some I would do anyway but its fun to include "Frankie" with them

 

[QVCshopper]

Thanks for all the suggestions - sorry for those that got a little testy with me - its not like I spend $100's of dollars or anything - like under $20 for the whole month... just little fun things - some I would do anyway but its fun to include "Frankie" with them

Libinatorsmom, I understand, and that's what our elf does as well. To me, it makes everything more magical. I don't think it's a crazy notion at all to leave tiny gifts--or even snuggly warm PJs that my kids need anyway and I would just give them otherwise. It's fun for me and them, and like I said, it's good for us to space out the gifts. Oh, I am going to have him celebrate Halloween while he's here--I'll save something I get really cheap from the after-Halloween sales, get out our jack-o-lanterns, etc. And he's going to load free XMas games on our iPad one night. Have fun!

 

[starann]

We do occasional gifts and it is random with what days he brings gifts (it's usually when I forget to do some mischef)

1 thing we did that was free and the kids loved was we had Buddy "Elf Yourself" with a picture of him and the 2 kids....they thought it was GREAT!!!!

Other ideas if you feel as if he must bring a gift....

bottle of nail polish (other nail care stuff can also be gotten at the dollar store and if you coupon such stuff can sometimes be picked up for free)

Xmas themed candy

Xmas earings (again can be gotten cheaply at Walrmart)

Shop the after Halloween clearence sales for sale items

We have Buddy bring an advent calendar the 1st night Santa brings him and it is a Lego calendar so each day they count down and get a little token!