OT: Elf Capades 2009..... post your ideas/past elf pranks here! :o)

[SalandJeff]

I have thought about this for the current year after last year..... My DDs are now in 4th and 1st grade, both wholeheartedly believing in everything still. Last year, my older DD couldn't wait to tell everyone @ school about Charlie's pranks from the night before even though I asked her not to talk about it at school for fear of someone picking on her. She had some kids telling her that elves can't come to life, no such thing, blah, blah, blah..... I know 4th grade the teasing would be brutal So, I've decided to draft a letter from Santa to arrive with Charlie saying that there is a huge shortage of elves at the North Pole right now and Santa needs as many as possible to stay with him to make toys... therefore, he can only send out a limited# of elves this year. He'll go on to ask the girls to promise not to tell anyone at school or the elves' magic will disappear and they will return to the North Pole...

Hoping it works. I just can't bear to have my 9 year old teased for still being one of the few still believing.....

This is a good suggestion. Thanks. It's very sweet that your 9 year old still believes...I hope my dd does at that age.

 

[kritter]

Does anyone have a copy of the letter from Santa they used? I have an elf already. Thanks in advance!!!

I would love one too. Thanks, in advance for the FUN idea.

I just ordered two Elves from Amazon I have twin girls so I thought the twin elves could arrive this week and come with us to Disney!!

 

[DISdreamin']

Subbing...

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

Thanks everyone for your great ideas! First I bought "Elf on Shelf", but I returned it after I found a green bendable Annalee elf at TJMaxx for $12.99 that someone mentioned. I also found at Christmas Tree Shops decorative sleds in red, green and silver (I got the small @ 2.99, they also have large for 5.99)

DH is totally on-board and tonight when we come home from Thanksgiving dinner "Little Dickens" will be making his appearance in his new silver sled with a letter from Santa!

Not sure what his first act of mischief will be (probably in the sled with the webkinz as reindeer), but I can't wait to move the car out of the garage one night, park it in the driveway backwards/crooked and have the elf standing on the driver's seat with his hands on the wheel- joyride! DH likes the idea of snow angels on the counter in flour, DD's undies on the tree, and we have a lot of stuff planned with DD's bitty and American Girl doll (i.e. tea party, elf on bitty's potty, etc...)

Keep the ideas and pictures coming!

 

[Kat77]

I don't know if this was discussed in any of the many elf threads, so I will post it here. I have been thinking about my 6 year old dd going to school and telling the other kids that we have elves. The other kids of course will not have elves.

How have you handled questions about why we are the only ones with elves, or worse, the other kids teasing your child about this?

We are a host family that Santa chose Our elf was sent to us to report on the entire neighborhood, not just our family... though there may be other host families nearby. Also telling them it is a "secret ops" kinda thing to keep them quiet abt. it to the other kids from now on since DS9 DID tell a carpool friend. Now her mom is doing an elf b/c her DD9 was WAY too excited not to participate in the fun.

Prep & Landing printable:
http://family.go.com/entertainment/...e-prep-and-landing-get-ready-for-santa-kit-t/

BTW, Grandma had an elf sighting on Monday! It could have been a cat in a silly holiday hat running across the street OR an Elf scouting houses.... We chose to believe the latter!

 

[starann]

I msut admit, the Elf on a Shelf FREAKS me out....I think it's kinda scary!!! So today I was on a mission to find a stuffed one. Easy, right? WRONG! I finally found a stuffed elf for $4.95 at Wegman's of all places! The price was GREAT! So now we have our Elf, he will bring the advent Calendar on Monday for the boys!

Does anyone know if you can buy the Elf on a Shelf Book without the elf?

I will try to post picts later once the kdis go to bed!

 

[libinatorsmom]

Our elf arrived this morning - My DD found him on the table with an open box of Fruit Roll-ups that "Frankie" ate all of - and left the wrappers!!!! She was so freaked out!!! But by about 10 she was reading him stories and playing with him... she said hes going to sleep with her tonight... Now we need to figure out day 2!!!

 

[peanmunch]

our Elves usually appear about two weeks before Christmas...two weeks of letters and pranks is enough for me...but the boys are already asking when they will come!

lori

 

[ptmmg]

This is a good suggestion. Thanks. It's very sweet that your 9 year old still believes...I hope my dd does at that age.

great Idea my 7 year old (8 today) has neighbors telling her its not real but i know she believes still AND WANTS TO

 

[Kat77]

Printable Intro letters, report sheets and passports here:
http://christmas.organizedhome.com/printable/magic-elf

If this works here are the Homegood Elves:
http://www.facebook.com/#/photo.php?pid=904419&id=1230864990
I could not figure out how to post photos without a host, is it even possible?

Stole the name Peppermint Joy from a Disboarder, it was perfect for the littlest elf with the peppermint lolly... hope that's okay!

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

When we read the letter to DD(4) from Santa about "Little Dickens", the first thing DD asked is "can I change his name?"

She was totally freaked out the first morning when he was in her bathroom sitting on her Bitty Baby's pretend potty. Oh, and there were a few chocolate morsels in the potty....

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

here is our night 1: Jingles in a food coma

 

[mrstomrice]

I bought a Mickey Mouse in a Santa costume and I am thinking about using him in place of an elf. I also thought that our stuffed Perry the Platypus might be a good idea...secret agent P could be working for Santa. Has anyone else used a Disney theme?

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Snowflake the Elf arrived at our hosue yesterday. I'm going to have to steal the "candy coma" idea--we still have Halloween stuff left.

This morning he was drawing on the easel, I think tonight, it'll be playing with blocks.

 

[ColleenG]

I bought a Mickey Mouse in a Santa costume and I am thinking about using him in place of an elf. I also thought that our stuffed Perry the Platypus might be a good idea...secret agent P could be working for Santa. Has anyone else used a Disney theme?

Where did you get Perry the Playtapus! Our whole family LOVES Phineas and Ferb!

 

[summerrluvv]

The kids opened "Sprinkles" today!! I think I might have him get into the candy sprinkles tonight...I'll put them all over the floor!!

 

[Kanga+2Roos]

Our elves arrived this morning following a note from Santa saying that he chose our house for the "elf-in-training" program after he stopped by to pick up the letters my 2 ds left for him on the fireplace. He told them that he sent notice to the North Pole & that they should put up their stockings since the elves would be arriving soon & they use the stockings as their lookout point. They were also told that if they were noticed being especially good a surprise would be left--doesn't hurt to give a little extra incentive!

The elves only were named by a number (which I reversed the boys birthdays-day first, month next) & the boys had to give them a real name. So we have Billy & Elfie.

My dh was having fun this morning using a laser pointer which the boys didn't know existed & of course the elves were blamed! I had to keep walking away because I kept laughing. The boys are totally into this! Right now they are sitting on the couch watching Santa Claus 2 so their elves don't miss the N Pole so much.

Let the games begin!

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

idea from this website: Jingles making flour angels on the countertop!!

 

[mickimousemama]

Does anyone have a copy of the letter from Santa they used? I have an elf already. Thanks in advance!!!

Here is the letter I wrote up for my nephew and his sisters

Congratulations! You have been selected as one of Santa’s Special Magic Shelf Elf Families! Hope you’re ready for fun, fun and more fun!
I have chosen a very special elf to come and visit you and your family from now until Christmas Eve. Her name is Penelope Twinkle Peppermints. I have thought long and hard about this and decided that your family would be perfect for Penelopes first year as a Magic Shelf Elf! I have assigned her Twin Brother, Skeeter Jingle Peppermints to your cousins, Zack, Preston and Eliana.
Please take good care of your elf and train her in the spirit of Christmas. I know I can count on you to help me out.

On Christmas Eve, be sure to gather up all of Penelope’s stuff and get them ready for pickup. Leave them where Santa will find her so he can bring her back home for her evaluation. If she passes her test, She will become a certified Helper Elf and will be permanently assigned to you and return every Christmas. So, if you want her to visit again, make sure you teach her well.

Elf Training Instructions:
Read from the Santa Clause book every night
Be on your best behavior
Place their snow-bags inside their sleeping bags when going to sleep so they stay cool
Watch out for mischief
Report back to Santa often (I have included a small notebook for your mommy to write notes to me about your elf, you can also draw pictures if you’d like.
Make sure they leave their notebooks in their magic mailbox for Santa every night.

Christmas Hugs and Holiday Kisses,
Mrs. Claus
Santa’s Workshop
North Pole

And this is the letter Santa sent my kids to tell them about our elf last year.

Dear Zack, Preston and Eliana,

*Happy Holidays dear children! Every year I send elves out at the beginning of December to special children around the world. These elves keep an eye on the children for me and send me reports which let me know how they are getting on. The elves have been given strict orders not to move around during the day because, as all children know, people cannot see an elf move or that little elf will be stripped of their magic. Because of this, elves stay still all day but once the family has gone to bed they are free to move around and write their reports for me. I am happy to announce that your family has been chosen to participate in my magic shelf elf program. Last year you had addopted a trial elf, Zep, however he has decided that because of the great amount of bahumbugs in your region that he no longer wants to be involved in the shelf elf program. I thought long and hard about what would be best for your family as I just knew how excited you have been anticipating an elf comming to visit. After much pondering and discussions with Mrs. Claus we have chosen a very special elf for just this purpose. His name is Skeeter Jingle Peppermints.
Just a quick warning,while skeeter has been given the very best education at Miss Marla Mapleberry's Manners Management, sometimes He forgets his manners and get into all sorts of mischief. I certainly hope most of my little magic elves behave, but I understand that not being able to move all day long sometimes makes them a little bit highly-strung, and they have to get that energy out somehow! Just remember that dear old Santa can't guarantee good behaviour by my elves!
With that said, SKeeter, will arrive just as soon as we see the first signs of Christmas in your house (Your rooms clean so the tree can go up would be a great start)
Skeeter will bring his report log and also a conversation note book. Should you wish to ask him anything or even just draw him a picture, please write it in the book and he will reply when he is able to move again at night.
Skeeter has been doing alot of homework to learn as much as he can about your family before his arrival. He thought you might also like to know that his twin sister, Penelope is visiting your cousins up in Aitkin.

I cannot wait to come visit you on Christmas eve this year at your cabin, I have never been there for a delivery before and Santa loves to go to new and exciting places.

Hope those give you some inspiration Here is a list of stuff I printed to send to my SIL when I introduced her to the idea of the magic elf

Elves arrive in Sleigh with the following:
Advent Calendar
Elf Snow
Sleeping Bags
Passports
Elf size Journal
Elf Post it notes
Christmas book to read…
Elfcapades

Attempting to baking cookies and making a mess playing in the ingredients… in Kid’s kitchen?
decorate a room for a different holiday (like putting up Halloween decorations or something or something from another country)
Leave presents every so often
pictures of the elves causing mischief
candy canes will be hung everywhere one night
paper chain will be made by elves
He will set up the Train and be riding it when we wake up
A kindness box....just an empty decorated box for the kids to fill with notes. As they "catch" others being kind they will write it down and put it in the box. We will read them all Christmas Eve.
elves decorate the kid’s rooms while they are sleeping
leave some money boots lying around http://members.cox.net/crandall11/money/boots/
Make colored glass with a note for the kids to play with it http://hurrayic.blogspot.com/2008/02/colored-glass-tutorial-for-kids.html
Snowflakes and peppermints hang everywhere to make it feel more like home.
Elves leave a foam North Pole (Santa’s House) Kit Project with instructions for kids to make him his own house for his visit.
Elves are found in the tree with our camera on the tripod. When downloaded we’ll see that they took pictures of themselves goofing off!
They are found watching a new Christmas movie (I will have one wrapped that they will find under the tree and they will open it) and eating popcorn
Elves make breakfast. Red & green pancakes (green pancakes with strawberry topping with a little snow (whipped cream) on top. Red juice, green eggs, etc.)
Leave Kids the “Elf” movie to watch throughout the year to remind them of our Elves
Leave Hot Cocoa and a Christmas Music CD with instructions for an evening stroll to see Christmas Decorations
Bring ingredients to make Christmas Play dough (recipes below)
Bring Christmas PJ’s on December 23rd for kids to find Christmas Eve Morning.
Make a mess out of Christmas Lights
Empty out Change Jar and “Hide” in the snow man jar… I always wondered what it was like to be a Snowman
Have him bring a build a snowman kit (box with hat, gloves, scarf, eyes, nose ect)
Set Sail as a Christmas Pirates
Dress up in Camouflage and play with hunter dan and other toys
Found sleeping in the Wreath
Instructions to go get Elfed online www.elfyourself.com
Ice cream sundaes in medicine cups.
Play cards with some of the kids’ toys
Play Fargo with some of the kids’ toys (aka Farkle/farkel)
Paint an ornament for each of the kids, leaving a mess of supplies for them to paint some too.
Found playing Christmas games on the internet
Found Reading our Christmas Cards
Found working on his scrapbook after returning home from the Snowball Formal Dance
Snowball fight (with pom-poms or cotton balls)
Hiding in the freezer because its nice and cold in there like back home at the NP
Play dress up in our stuff
Trying to ski down a mound of ???
Found visiting the kids’ myspace/websites online
Caught peaking in presents under the tree
Redecorate the Christmas tree with the kids’ underwear
Hiding in the tree
Coloring Christmas Pictures
Taking a marshmallow bath
Snooping over at the neighbors.
Get into the Egg Nog
Decorate the Christmas Tree with underwear
Found working on his myspace online.
Send kids on a scavenger hunt
Found sleeping in the freezer
Make smores over candles
Make Christmas Designs from toothpaste on bathroom counter
Hide in new mugs in cupboard for Hot Cocoa
Draw Christmas Trees on bathroom mirror and leave new toothbrushes with a note saying he noticed they aren't brushing
Have a popcorn / movie party with all the stuffed dogs to watch Snow Buddies
Leave a note and Prep & Landing printables from HERE to tell them about the show on ABC tuesday 12/1/09

 

[polkadotminnie]

Mickimousemama -Thank you so much!!!