Another idea for this year if the Elf on the Shelf ideas dry up is for the Elf to be off an adventure and then it returns in a spectacular way! It gives a little space for other things when life becomes busy at the end of the year and then the Elf can be in scenes from the adventures.

I have so many! If you get some frozen peas, you can make a little pile of them with the elf on top and a sign ‘oops, I peed myself!’
You can also get rid of some stale bread by toasting two slices and putting the elf inside and a sign ‘I was cold, but now I’m toasty’.
There is actually a Facebook page where mums share all their elf ideas, I got most of mine from there.

I saw one the other day where the elf was fishing in the toilet. I thought it was adorable. I’ve also mentioned previously when my sister needed an elf ‘break’ she had it leave footprints out and open window and a note saying it would be back. Then when she was ready he came back with a lolly each

This is exactly why I never started with Elf on a shelf. I think it’s a charming idea, but I could see the nightmare ahead of me and decided just to evade it all together. I already have enough to do at this time of year, and I know it would all fall on me.

Elf on the shelf can indeed be a challenge and going with scenes from movies and books can be a whole lot of fun and easy enough to do. Another thing to do is dress ups and visits to other countries and these can also be easy enough to create too.