Elf on the Shelf December Magic
If you’ve been in Elementary School Mom world for even one year, you already know: Elf Season is basically its own holiday.
Last year, Jessica’s Kindergarten class had an elf in their room — and woo boy, the questions at home!
“Why don’t WE have an elf?”
“Where does OUR elf sit?”
“Do they come to every house?”
And suddenly, there it was… the Mama Guilt™, creeping in like it has nothing better to do. With birthday parties, school holidays, and the nonstop parade of events since October, I needed something simple — a way to join in the magic without adding another full-time job.
I’ll admit, I was not “on the ball” with planning the arrival of our elves - We did not start the day after Thanksgiving like some. We did not start on December 1st like others. I purchased a second-hand elf over the Summer, but realized new elves come with books and there’s an adoption and naming - this led to Black Friday shopping for elves. I found a deal on Amazon: almost $10 lower than other sellers. Our elf sisters arrival will be December 10th after a visit with Santa. This means I only have to plan for 14 days!
So, this year, we’re doing Elf on the Shelf… but we’re doing it the easy, budget-friendly PlanIt.Mom way.
🧸 About Those Elf Accessories…
Yes, the stores are full of:
✨ Costumes ✨ Mini pets ✨ Tiny furniture ✨ Baking sets ✨ Sleds, fishing rods, hot cocoa bars…
Aldi, Walmart, Michaels, and Amazon all carry adorable extras. They’re fun, but not required.
I have put together a list of fun elf scenes that focuses on using things already in your home — because Christmas already comes with enough expenses, glitter, and brainpower drain as it is.
🎄 DECEMBER ELF CALENDAR — SIMPLE SETUP IDEAS
1 – Arrival Day: Elf arrives with a handwritten note + candy cane.
2 – Toilet Paper Hammock: TP stretched between chairs. Elf lounges.
3 – Marshmallow Bubble Bath: Elf in bowl of mini marshmallows.
4 – Coloring Time: Elf with crayons and a half-colored page.
5 – Cereal Box Hideout: Elf inside cereal box peeking out.
6 – Flour Snow Angel: Elf lying in flour/powdered sugar angel.
7 – Sledding: Elf in toilet paper roll “sledding” down stairs.
8 – Cocoa Helper: Cocoa packets + marshmallows ready to use.
9 – Chill Mode: Elf in the freezer with note: “BRRR!”
10 – Bookworm Elf: Elf “reading” a kids’ picture book.
11 – Sock Sleeping Bag: Elf snuggled into a sock.
12 – Dress-Up Elf: Elf wearing doll accessories.
13 – Fishing: Elf fishing for Goldfish crackers with candy cane.
14 – Spa Day: Cotton balls + washcloth towel wrap.
15 – Sticky Note Messages: 3–5 positive sticky notes from the elf.
16 – Tissue Box Surprise: Elf popping out of tissue box.
17 – Game Night: Elf playing a board game or puzzle.
18 – Animal Rider: Elf riding toy dinosaur or stuffed animal.
19 – Banana Art: Elf with Sharpie + bananas with smiley faces.
20 – Reindeer Saddle: Elf riding toilet paper rolls as “reindeer.”
21 – Elf on Strike: Note: “Too tired. Ate too many cookies.”
22 – Movie Night: Elf with popcorn and remote.
23 – Tree Climber: Elf halfway up the Christmas tree.
24 – Goodbye Letter: Elf leaves a sweet farewell + candy cane.
🎄 Elf Rules (Kid-Friendly!)
These are the rules straight from the North Pole:
1️⃣ The elf does not talk, move, or interact while kids are awake.
He sees everything, but stays still like a Christmas statue during the day.
2️⃣ Your elf cannot be touched. Touching breaks their magic — BUT! Parents, you may invoke the following emergency clauses:
“Elf magic is strong enough to recover overnight.”
“Santa gave parents special gloves.”
“Mommy was allowed to help because the elf got stuck.”
(Use these strategically.)
3️⃣ The elf moves at night when everyone is asleep. Assuming mom remembers… ahem.
4️⃣ The elf is here to encourage kindness — not perfection.
Helping others, comforting a sibling, trying something new, or cleaning their room counts as “Good Report Material.”
Bless you, mamas, truly.
💛 For adding ONE MORE magical tradition onto your already overflowing December plate.
💛 For juggling birthday parties, school breaks, holiday programs, endless shopping lists, and still showing up with enough energy to move a tiny stuffed elf at 11 p.m.
You deserve medals. Or at the very least, uninterrupted coffee.
This calendar is for you — the tired, creative, Christmas-carrying moms who are doing their best to make childhood feel magical without losing your ever-loving mind.
We see you. We appreciate you. And you’re doing amazing. 🎄💛✨
