Savings on Elf on a Shelf

[3mickeymom]

Last year on the DIS there was a popular thread about the "Elf on a Shelf" book and doll. I LOVED the idea and would like to do something like this for my nieces and nephews. Although the book and doll kit look very cute(but pricey), I would like to purchase an elf seperately and write my own letter to save some money. SO, I have some questions.

WHERE CAN I PURCHASE AN ELF? I found an Annalee elf at TJMAXX but my son thinks it looks creepy and will scare the little kids. I have to agree. I would like a cuter,friendlier looking elf.

HOW DID THE NEVER TOUCHING PART OF THE TRADITION GO? I haven't read the story but apparently if you touch the elf it will lose it's magic. Sounds kinda drastic and way too tempting to little ones to not touch. Tell me what you think.

DID THE MISCIEVOUS PRANKS FROM THE ELF PROMPT MISCHIEF FROM YOUR CHILDREN? For instance the decorating the house with toilet paper or the tree with underwear. I would not like to cause my sisters-in-law any undo stress during the holidays by having her kids TP the house. So do you think those type of pranks and activities are better for older kids?

Lots of questions, I know. Also, ideas on letters and activities are very welcome. Thanks

 

[DebMcDonald]

I found an elf at a local x-mas shop, he's much bigger than the elf on the shelf, but I preferred that anyway. I did buy the book, but we didn't do anything with that elf. Our Elf arrived on Thanksgiving morning in a box outside my house with his book and a note and directions on how to access his myspace page. Our Elf then blogged on his myspace page daily (he even had elf friends that I met though here) and his blogging was a way to stay connected to Santa. All this being said, I would say you don't need the book, and could easily do it with an elf and your own letter. My kids also loved his myspace page and it was a rush to get to the computer daily. My only situation with that was remembering to move him daily and he sat in very silly spots. Our Elf left on x-mas eve with Santa and will arrive again on Thanksgiving.

Our pranks did not cause any problems with my own kids, they just thought it was funny. We broke the rule and on his very last day, the elf could be played with and touched because Santa was picking him up that night and all his magic would be restored.

Our Elf did the toilet paper thing, went sledding with the girls sleds, he took lots of his own pictures with our camera, sat in the cat food container, sat in my china cabinet, hug from our lights. The girls loved hunting for him daily.

If you want to see the myspace page PM me and I'll send you the link.

 

[RichNKatHolly]

This is such a great idea - how have I never heard of this?? Amazon has the book and doll for $28 with free shipping. I may have to bite the bullet and do it. I could not find the book sans the doll or I'd do that.

I'd love to see Deb's Elf's myspace page!

 

[DebMcDonald]

Here is it, I'm sorry if I'm not allowed to post it. In case anyone decides to make one, I'll link you as a friend. The more elf's the better.

http://www.myspace.com/santaselves_mcdonald

 

[StillPinballFamily]

Here is it, I'm sorry if I'm not allowed to post it. In case anyone decides to make one, I'll link you as a friend. The more elf's the better.

http://www.myspace.com/santaselves_mcdonald

This is SO awesome! I may just have to get around to doing this for this Christmas!!! Deb - I'll let you know so we can link...

I got inspired by last year's DIS elf thread and even went out and found a VERY cute (girl) elf that is very cute (and was only $5 at the local gift shop - I think it is a Dakin). But, I never got my act together to "do" anything with it. It remains hidden away with the other decorations, but this year, I'm gonna do it! (My kids would love this!) No book, we'll just wing it.

We do a daily secret "activities" calendar, with a different (cheap/free) activity/craft/trip/food for each day between December 1-24th, as well as mail our Christmas cards from the North Pole, and take three (full - 10+ hour) days to put up all our indoor Xmas decorations - NOT including the tree and the outdoor lights, etc., so, we're kinda a Christmas family!!!!

Thanks for sharing! With all the financial cutbacks many of us (hand raised!) are dealing with this year, I'm for adding all the fun and free stuff we can to extend the holiday spirit!

 

[RichNKatHolly]

Here is it, I'm sorry if I'm not allowed to post it. In case anyone decides to make one, I'll link you as a friend. The more elf's the better.

http://www.myspace.com/santaselves_mcdonald

Thank you for posting. So creative and very motivational!!! (this coming from the "mean mom" who hasn't put out halloween decorations for the past 2 years ).

 

[ptmmg]

my younger kids ages 4 and 6 love "ELFIE" they have already asked about him this year this will be his 3rd. He comes the day after Thanksgiving (which this year dd will be turning 7 on that day so Elfie will have to bring her a special bday gift) He leaves with Santa on Christmas eve. We have the book and my kids are careful not to touch him. He is usually up high though. He has done several tricks in our house like the toilet paper and tried to make cookies and left a mess of flour all over the place. Even my older kids get into it they like to find a new spot for Elfie each night and come up with pranks. Its a great family tradition that I think we got from these boards. I have told many people about it and they have started their on traditions.

 

[Stasieki]

Do you think my DD who will turn 3 in Feb be too young for this. My sister has been doing it for years with her older children. Looks like so much fun.

 

[mom2d&b]

Our elf is Melvin. He has been with us for 2 years. My almost 9 DD & 6DS love him. Our elf is nocturnal and the kids put him to bed each morning before school. He doesn't arrive till 12/1 and leaves on 12/20. He leave early so he can assist Santa in packing the sleigh. The kids love seeing the things he does:
they have woken to see him playing twister with the stuffed animals
made breakfast ( candy & cereal ) for breakfast
covered daddy with all his clean undies when he was sleeping

The kids talk about this with all their friends. A few now have their own elf.

The elf at my sisters house even sent a post card from his summer vacation to her kids.

My entire family gets into this, we love it

 

[piratemamaof3]

such fun ideas. We moved into this house last yr first part of Nov. and it was so close to the holidays so come up w/ fun stuff. I might have to try this this yr. Now to find a elf.
The Easter Bunny hids the baskets and put one on the ceiling fan. I bet the elf could get into some trouble also.

 

[mickimousemama]

Here is a website with Great inspiration too, http://magicalholidayhome.com/elves/

we did the elf on the shelf last year, just did my own up, his name was Zep, however I had a REALLY hard time finding an elf and ended up using an ornament. I LOVE the above idea with the Myspace and am totally going to do that this year

 

[3mickeymom]

Please post if you see elves anywhere on the internet. I really don'y like the elves I have now.

 

[Reagan&Co.]

Barnes&Noble had a gazillion of those Elf on a Shelf boxed sets (elf plus the book). I think they were $30. This being the budget board, I thought the elf was pretty flimsy. (The book is probably worth $10, so you do the math. SOMEBODY is making money!!!)

I bet if you go to your local antique mall, you can find an old elf lying around......

 

[mickimousemama]

Please post if you see elves anywhere on the internet. I really don'y like the elves I have now.

I found these ones and think I might order them, you get three so maybe could resell the ones you dont need?
http://www.averymerrychristmasstore.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=921

ETA: The shipping on these is $8.00 I think that is CRAZY

So I kept searching and found this pattern

here http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=2529799

and I think i will try to make them. as soon as I get one done I will post pictures

 

[smacky1]

Love this idea! What do you write in the letter if you decide to do your own "kit"?

 

[smacky1]

I just found and ordered these ones from amazon. Both of them together were just shy of $40 with tax and shipping. Thank you so much for this idea. My 2 and 4 year olds will have a lot of fun with this......or maybe I will be the one having fun with it! Anyway, I will be linking up on myspace with all you other elves after Thanksgiving.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1KF75Y1PXZ2X7EZSRTFH

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

Okay, can someone explain what exactly this is? I'm still confused.

 

[mickimousemama]

Here are a few others I found as well

http://blujay.com/?page=ad&adid=1761655&cat=23010400

http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=2045068

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-HANDMADE-Cr...-Cute-L-K_W0QQitemZ110289043848QQcmdZViewItem

http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=2859890

 

[mickimousemama]

Okay, can someone explain what exactly this is? I'm still confused.

Here is a website for more information on Elf On the Shelf
http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=2859890

A bit on the website says this "This charming tradition began for our family when my children were very small. Plagued by their desire to know how Santa really knew who had been naughty or nice, I searched through the Christmas decorations for a plausible explanation. Nestled among them was the answer; a small elf doll from my own childhood. With that discovery, the idea for the elf tradition was born.

At our home the elf would arrive around the holidays, usually at Thanksgiving. His sole responsibility was to watch my children's behavior and report it to "Santa" each night. The next morning after the children awoke, they discovered the elf had returned from the "North Pole" (with some parental assistance) and was hiding in a different place. My children would race each other out of bed to try and be the first to spy him in his new position.

Over the years the tradition was perfected and rules were even introduced. For example, to better preserve his mystique the children were not allowed to touch him; however, they were allowed to talk to him. For obvious reasons, he was not allowed to reply. Eventually, my children even gave him a name - officially adopting him into the family.

Unwittingly, the tradition provided an added benefit: it helped the children to better control themselves. All it took was a gentle reminder that the "elf was watching" for errant behavior to be modified.

I never dreamed this simple tradition would lead to so many Christmas memories for our entire family. It is my earnest desire that The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition will bring as much joy to your family as it has to mine.

Make it your own"


You can purchase an Elf on the Shelf (book with Elf) for around $30 or be creative and do your own

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

Now THAT is cool. Thanks! I'll have to do this...I have a ton of Annalee elves!