With Christmas right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about important seasonal topics, such as presents, trees, stockings and, of course, Elf on the Shelf! This holiday activity brings plenty of joy to families, but it can also be a headache to come up with new Elf on the Shelf ideas each day or so. Fortunately, we've got 85 awesome ideas to share, so whether it's your very first year of setting up the elf or you've been doing it for years, you'll be able to get plenty of inspiration from our list.In our house, we've been participating in this popular activity thanks to a fun friend of ours who gave my daughter her own Elf on the Shelf for the Christmas season. Being an older child, we read the accompanying book together countless times, and my daughter often takes it upon herself to both dress the elf and move it to various points in our home. Also, the elf hangs out with us all year long. Kind of a fun twist to the idea behind Elf on a Shelf, but the creativity has brought her much happiness.Related: 42 Best Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas in 2025
The Elf on the Shelf is actually magic, capable of watching the children every day and reporting back to Santa each night. The trick is this elf moves to a new spot each day, and when the children wake up, they go through the house looking for where the elf moved.
When Did 'Elf on the Shelf' Become Popular?
As CNBC reported, Elf on the Shelf was originally a poem written in 2004. The following year, in 2005, it was put in a self-published mother-daughter book written by Carol Aebersold and her daughter, Chanda Bell. The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition is based on their family's Scandinavian holiday tradition that started in the 1970s. Their own beloved Frisbee started out as a Christmas ornament, and it grew into a bigger fixture over the years—a magical elf in the Santa story. But in 2007, Elf on the Shelf started to really gain popularity. So what changed? In November 2007, there was a photograph of Jennifer Garner with an Elf on the Shelf box in New York. In December, the Today Show ran a segment on the elf. And the rest is Happy Holiday's history.? SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox ?
'Elf on the Shelf' is a fun and festive game to enjoy around the holiday season. It's a great way to get your kids excited about Christmas. Plus, it encourages good behavior.
How Do You Start 'Elf on the Shelf'?
Now, we can all be a part of the Aebersold tradition. Select the elf of your choice, and make some ground rules for the kids. In addition to the book and elf, give your Elf on the Shelf his or her own style, choosing from a variety of clothes and accessories. And then, begin featuring him in various areas of your house (doing as many hilarious things as possible!) throughout the holidays. 'Tis the season for fun! Here are 85 creative ways to incorporate Elf on the Shelf in your own home this winter, or longer if you so choose.Related: 35 'Elf' Quotes That Are Sure To Spread Christmas Cheer
85 Creative 'Elf on the Shelf' Ideas for 2025
1. Set up an easel with a painting done by Elf.
Elf with an easel!Courtesy Traci Rhoades
2. Prop up Elf holding a microphone for karaoke.
Elf doing karaoke!Courtesy Traci Rhoades
3. Feature Elf making a snow angel (by using flour).
Elf makes a snow angel in flour!Courtesy Traci Rhoades
4. Make an ornament out of construction paper.
Look at Elf posing as an ornament!Housewife Eclectic
Quick Tip: Use a cutout face that the Elf could put his face through, just like Housewife Eclectic shows!
5. Create Bingo cards and invite Elf to play.
Elf playing bingo is a joyful sight!Artsy Fartsy Mama
Just like Artsy Fartsy Mama has done!
6. Put Elf in front of a painting, appreciating art.
Elf loves art!Courtesy Traci Rhoades
7. Have Elf "baking" some holiday cookies.
View this post on InstagramJust like @meeplesnmunchies shows!
8. Let Elf play tic-tac-toe with another toy friend.
View this post on InstagramAs perfectly demonstrated by @crafymumofgirls!
10. Have Elf go camping.
Choose something like "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree."
12. Make a snowman with Play-Doh and put Elf beside it.
Perfect for Frozen fans because, after all, don't you want to build a snowman?
14. Surround Elf with ice cubes with a sign that says "Ice Ice Baby."
16. Set Elf in a candy jar.
18. Have Elf spell out a child's name using cereal.
20. Put Elf in a silly costume.
22. Make it look like Elf is in the middle of doing a puzzle.
24. Get a blank card and let Elf help write a note to a loved one.
26. Chart out the weather for the week and let Elf play meteorologist.
28. Place Elf in a bowl of popcorn.
30. Serve Elf mini cupcakes for dessert.
32. Place Elf on the Christmas tree.
16. Set Elf in a candy jar.
18. Have Elf spell out a child's name using cereal.
20. Put Elf in a silly costume.
22. Make it look like Elf is in the middle of doing a puzzle.
24. Get a blank card and let Elf help write a note to a loved one.
26. Chart out the weather for the week and let Elf play meteorologist.
28. Place Elf in a bowl of popcorn.
30. Serve Elf mini cupcakes for dessert.
32. Place Elf on the Christmas tree.
20. Put Elf in a silly costume.
22. Make it look like Elf is in the middle of doing a puzzle.
24. Get a blank card and let Elf help write a note to a loved one.
26. Chart out the weather for the week and let Elf play meteorologist.
28. Place Elf in a bowl of popcorn.
30. Serve Elf mini cupcakes for dessert.
32. Place Elf on the Christmas tree.
24. Get a blank card and let Elf help write a note to a loved one.
26. Chart out the weather for the week and let Elf play meteorologist.
28. Place Elf in a bowl of popcorn.
30. Serve Elf mini cupcakes for dessert.
32. Place Elf on the Christmas tree.
28. Place Elf in a bowl of popcorn.
30. Serve Elf mini cupcakes for dessert.
32. Place Elf on the Christmas tree.
32. Place Elf on the Christmas tree.
Related: Best Elf on the Shelf Name Ideas
Elf on the Christmas tree is a lot of fun!Unsplash
34. Show Elf posing with Santa Claus for a picture.
36. Place Elf on top of a gingerbread house.
38. Have Elf sticking out of a stocking before they're stuffed with other goodies.
36. Place Elf on top of a gingerbread house.
38. Have Elf sticking out of a stocking before they're stuffed with other goodies.
Related: 80 Elf Jokes for Kids To Make You Laugh and Appreciate Santa's Little Helpers This Christmas
Elf in a stocking is a great place for him!Unsplash
40. Place Elf in a sink of cotton balls for a bubble bath.
42. Wrap Elf in a towel and put mini cucumber slices on his eyes.
44. Put a bubble bath bottle in Elf's arms and let him help draw the bath.
46. Place Elf in a crafty mess of glue, glitter and paper.
48. Swap out a photo in your house with a photo of Elf, with him posing by it.
50. Show Elf posed while sliding down the stair banisters.
52. Put Elf in a Barbie car going for a ride.
54. Let Elf TP a bedroom.
56. Build an igloo for Elf to live in.
42. Wrap Elf in a towel and put mini cucumber slices on his eyes.
44. Put a bubble bath bottle in Elf's arms and let him help draw the bath.
46. Place Elf in a crafty mess of glue, glitter and paper.
48. Swap out a photo in your house with a photo of Elf, with him posing by it.
50. Show Elf posed while sliding down the stair banisters.
52. Put Elf in a Barbie car going for a ride.
54. Let Elf TP a bedroom.
56. Build an igloo for Elf to live in.
46. Place Elf in a crafty mess of glue, glitter and paper.
48. Swap out a photo in your house with a photo of Elf, with him posing by it.
50. Show Elf posed while sliding down the stair banisters.
52. Put Elf in a Barbie car going for a ride.
54. Let Elf TP a bedroom.
56. Build an igloo for Elf to live in.
50. Show Elf posed while sliding down the stair banisters.
52. Put Elf in a Barbie car going for a ride.
54. Let Elf TP a bedroom.
56. Build an igloo for Elf to live in.
54. Let Elf TP a bedroom.
56. Build an igloo for Elf to live in.
Related: 11 'Elf on the Shelf' Rules Every Parent Should Know
57. Make something Elf-ish using LEGOs.
Here's Elf sitting on a shelf!Unsplash
59. Put Elf next to a few Barbies to have a conversation.
61. Move Elf into your child's dollhouse.
63. Play Pin the Nose on Rudolph with Elf.
65. Show Elf playing hockey with an upside-down candy cane.
67. Find Elf bundled up in the tote for hats and scarves because "Baby, It's Cold Outside."
61. Move Elf into your child's dollhouse.
63. Play Pin the Nose on Rudolph with Elf.
65. Show Elf playing hockey with an upside-down candy cane.
67. Find Elf bundled up in the tote for hats and scarves because "Baby, It's Cold Outside."
65. Show Elf playing hockey with an upside-down candy cane.
67. Find Elf bundled up in the tote for hats and scarves because "Baby, It's Cold Outside."
Related: Yippee—You'll Be Shouting Out With Glee as You Read Through These 75 Reindeer Jokes
Elf looks great hiding in Christmas crafts.Unsplash
69. Trace the Elf's shadow on a piece of paper with him beside it.
71. Show Elf sticking out of a backpack.
73. Show Elf with his head sticking out of a hooded sweatshirt.
75. Set Elf in an apron pocket on holiday baking day.
77. Tuck Elf into a mitten—surprise!
79. Make a black top hat for Elf and watch Frosty the Snowman.
81. Make a sign for Elf that says, "Ya filthy animal!" and watch Home Alone.
71. Show Elf sticking out of a backpack.
73. Show Elf with his head sticking out of a hooded sweatshirt.
75. Set Elf in an apron pocket on holiday baking day.
77. Tuck Elf into a mitten—surprise!
79. Make a black top hat for Elf and watch Frosty the Snowman.
81. Make a sign for Elf that says, "Ya filthy animal!" and watch Home Alone.
75. Set Elf in an apron pocket on holiday baking day.
77. Tuck Elf into a mitten—surprise!
79. Make a black top hat for Elf and watch Frosty the Snowman.
81. Make a sign for Elf that says, "Ya filthy animal!" and watch Home Alone.
79. Make a black top hat for Elf and watch Frosty the Snowman.
81. Make a sign for Elf that says, "Ya filthy animal!" and watch Home Alone.
Related: 100 Funny Christmas Quotes and Sayings To Inspire Santa-Worthy Laughs
Elf loves to watch a movie, especially with a sign.Canva/Parade
83. Dress Elf up like a shepherd in a robe with a staff and watch A Charlie Brown's Christmas.
85. Lay Elf down beside you, taking a nap!
85. Lay Elf down beside you, taking a nap!
Related: 50 Best 'Elf on the Shelf' Memes To Crack You up This Holiday Season
Parade/Canva
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