Elf on shelf, fun ideas but how to live around him?

[tms295psu]

My mil brought an elf for our kids. I've googled some fun ideas for him. But how do you live with a pile of flour snow angels on the counter all day, or a stack of couch pillows covered in popcorn with a elf sitting on top? Do you move it (with tongs of course,lol. Can't actually touch the elf and ruin his magic)

 

[Montyrob]

Ours has been a "good" elf so far, animal parades, drinking soda and eating cookies, and he loves to climb drapes, in fact today he is sitting in an inflatable doll "hot tub" relaxing with a few other stuffed pals.

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[acastmember]

Our kids clean up after our Elf, Elmer, every morning. They jump out of bed, find Elmer, laugh, then we clean up his mess. Then we return him to the bookshelf next to his book!

 

[Happyjen27]

We don't. They are all really cute ideas, but, in reality the simple fact that he gets moved most days is already overachieving for me.

See how I said "most days". That means that some days "he must have loved that spot so much he returned to it" is the response I have to come up with when I forget.

 

[wallskm]

Ours only does clean mischief. Today he replaced all our stockings with underwear and is sitting on our mantle. Yesterday he wrote a note. He has brought breakfast before, sat on the top of the potty, etc.

 

[jennypooh90]

Parents are allowed to touch the elf children are not, if our elf does anything messy I clean up the mess after the kids have seen then out her in her spot for the day

 

[ladybub101]

I agree with jennypooh, parents are allowed to touch him. Some days we will move him (like if we're afraid the dog will find him and eat him), and other days he stays where he was.

 

[wiigirl]

I agree with jennypooh, parents are allowed to touch him. Some days we will move him (like if we're afraid the dog will find him and eat him), and other days he stays where he was.

Thats what we do also....

 

[Crystal824]

We don't. They are all really cute ideas, but, in reality the simple fact that he gets moved most days is already overachieving for me.

See how I said "most days". That means that some days "he must have loved that spot so much he returned to it" is the response I have to come up with when I forget.

This is me too. My elf is not going to make a mess that I have to clean up. My dd is only 3 so too little to clean up elf messes all by herself. Our elf just moves from place to place and will occasionally leave a note if DD has been really good or bad. Remembering to move the elf is more than enough for me to remember.

 

[missjackiemcg]

That sounds like our elf, "Ho Ho", too My son is 4 and just loves to see Ho Ho dangle from different places. We haven't evolved to any elaborate messes or really creative displays YET! I'm already trying to figure out if I should pack Ho Ho so he can appear at WDW when we arrive since we'll arrive before and still be there for Christmas. Thoughts??

 

[Taylor'sMom]

Reminds me of a friend... she forgot to move their elf for like 3 days. He was sitting in their window day after day! She conviced her 3 kids that "he's from the North Pole and must like the cold near the window" haha
Another friend smelled something burning during breakfast and realized their elf, sitting upon their kitchen chandelier, was beginning to burn/melt!

The things we do for these kids!!! Haha

I haven't done anything too messy. Some days its just a new hiding spot. Other days I'me more creative, spelling Christmasy words with scrabble tiles, etc.

 

[Dax]

I saw a really cute pic of an elf waist deep in a bag of M&M's...My DD is still too young for elf...I cant wait to do it though

 

[sewchic82]

We will be at WDW in 5 days so our elf "Fred" will be joining us for our trip and any suggestions you may have on what to do with him while were there would be fantastic!!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

The best Elf I have seen this year is Elf sitting on the toilet with one of those red and white candy's in the toilet.

 

[englishteacha]

We don't have an elf but my cousins do. He gets moved with tongs and his "messes" cleaned up. He has a basket he sits in during the day. I've also heard of grown ups using oven mitts to move the elf.

I would think that on vacation, the elf could perhaps leave notes or sit in unusual places. Maybe dangle from the shower curtain, or build a fort out of hotel soaps!