21 Epic Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Lazy Parents | Giftie Etcetera: 21 Epic Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Lazy Parents

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

21 Epic Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Lazy Parents

Due to circumstances mostly beyond our control, our household ended up with an Elf on the Shelf named John Henry.

He doesn't watch the kids for evidence of naughty or nice behavior. He's just a fun game we play.

And, honestly, even though the *****ing Elf is a pain to move around, we've mostly enjoyed him. (The asterisks are totally nice words. Or naughty words. John Henry doesn't care either way!)


I've compiled the best of John Henry's adventures, along with some of our more revealing Elf Facebook statuses from last year.


Elf on the Shelf Ideas; pirate



"We talked Loki into making a Lego playland to tempt John Henry the Elf to play tonight. In other words, we are tricking out kids into taking care of the stupid Elf themselves."

Hide the elf in a water bottle in the cold fridge. 


Don't judge the communion wine! It is necessary during elf season. *****ing elf!


Elf on the Shelf Ideas, water bottle

Use a skewer and a couple of marshmallows to make a barbell.


Elf on the Shelf Ideas, barbell

Toilet paper the tree!


Elf on the Shelf Ideas, toilet paper

John Henry tried to defrost the snowman.

Planner peeps - note the excellent use of binder clips.


Elf on the Shelf Ideas, snowman

A nice and naughty list is easy to make.

TIP: Write with your non-dominant hand.



Elf on the Shelf Ideas, naughty list

Use a hair rubber band and half a hole-punch circle to make a pirate patch.


Elf on the Shelf Ideas, pirate

In a rush? Stick your elf under the stocking holder.


Elf on the Shelf Ideas, stockings

The amazing floating elf!


Elf on the Shelf Ideas, floating elf

During the night before Christmas Eve, John Henry makes reindeer food for the kids to sprinkle on the roof.

Recipe: oatmeal, red or green sprinkles, and chocolate chips.



Elf on the Shelf Ideas, reindeer food

While the kids were sleeping, our elf made them into Rudolph with lipstick.

TIP: Leave him in front of the mirror so the kids see themselves when they find him.



Elf on the Shelf Ideas, rudolph

"'You know, Daddy, grownups are allowed to touch the Elf.' - Loki

'Well, I'm certainly not going to touch him. I wouldn't want to take a chance like that.' - Daddy

'Well, yeah, all grownups but you. You'd ruin Christmas magic all over the world because of how grumpy you are.' - Loki"


Every other night, my husband is in charge of the elf. He does more work than I do.


Elf on the Shelf Ideas, Mr. potato Head


Elf on the Shelf Ideas, train

He used a cookie sheet, powdered sugar, and marshmallows to create this scene.


Elf on the Shelf Ideas, smurfs, snowball fight

The lazier, Giftie way - wrap the elf under the tree one night.


Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Old cellphone? Have the elf call Santa.


Elf on the Shelf Ideas, cell phone

The elf can watch a Christmas movie with the stuffed animals (and a bit of popcorn).


Elf on the Shelf Ideas, popcorn

One night, our elf unwrapped a gift while we were sleeping. Good thing it was just chocolates!


Elf on the Shelf Ideas, cherries, chocolates

Have spare socks or unmatched mittens? Let your elf make a disguise.


Elf on the Shelf Ideas, mask

"I'm pretty sure out elf stayed in place at least five times this year. The kids don't even care anymore. They're like, 'meh, John Henry didn't move last night. Stupid elf.'"

Have the elf turn on the Christmas music channel during the night.


Elf on the Shelf Ideas, remote control

"It's my husband's Elf on the Shelf night. He tied the elf to the fan. Still standing on a chair in front of the fan, he asked me to turn the fan on.

I was skeptical because, well, physics, but I complied.

John Henry the Elf leaned back and slapped him across the face about six times before my husband conceded defeat and asked me to turn the fan back off."

Not Pictured (due to the need to maintain some level of dignity): 

John Henry once took down all the stockings and put up underwear instead. He had a pair of undies for each family member!

Another year, John Henry brought surprise gifts BEFORE Christmas. The kids enjoyed unwrapping them. What was the gift?

You guessed it - undies!

Pro Tip: If your elf needs to retire, send the kids a cheap gift and a note from the elf, announcing his promotion to Chief Elf of the North Pole.

I'll close with this funny quote from The Loki:

"Actually, I would not make a very good elf. I don't know how to make toys. I mean, Santa could teach me that part. But I like to hang out in my underwear and the North Pole is very cold."

Feel free to pin any ideas that you want to save to your Pinterest boards.


Etcetera.



If you are looking for gift ideas, feel free to check out one of these great gift guides:

Gifts for Men

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13 comments:

Marissa said...

We also have an elf that we have fun with each year. My kids love find him every morning. Thanks for sharing some your ideas.

Marissa

#TwinklyTuesday

Anonymous said...

Thank you for erasing all those disturbing Elf on a Shelf photos I've seen on Pinterest!

Mary Wimbley said...

This post gave me a really fun idea. We don't have an elf--we have a SNOWMAN on our shelf! :D Who says he can't do some of those cool elfy things? lol

Anna said...

Those are some funny ideas. :) My kids never caught on to the elf on the shelf idea. And I wasn't going to get them started on it!

Tubbs said...

So glad we missed out on this one! No elf on our shelf!

DianeH said...

Love the Rudolph nose idea. The others are great, too.

Deborah said...

I thought about doing the elf this year. I still have time right..hahaha! At least if I go out to get it now, you have all these ideas for me to use.

Eclectic Red Barn said...

My grand daughter wanted an Elf on the Shelf this year so I got her one and now I have some great ideas for it while I am there next week.
Thanks for sharing at Wake Up Wednesday,
Bev

Life of a Busy Mommy said...

What cute ideas, I am waiting until next year, and then we will do this for my son, but for now, I just love seeing all the cute Elf on the Shelf adventures.

Teresa B said...

Thank you for linking up to the Holidays Celebration Link Party! Your post has been pinned to the party's Pinterest board (https://www.pinterest.com/pinteresab/holidays-celebration-2015/).

Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond said...

Oh I love your little elf but I also like the idea of how you can 'retire' him by giving him a promotion. Lots of fun for the kids I'm sure. Thank you for introducing him to us at our very first #OvertheMoon link up and hope to see you next week.

Kids Are A Trip said...

This is too funny. Tons of great ideas here. I think I have already woken up twice in the middle of the night because I forgot to move the elf! Then there was a day I completely forgot, so hubby hid him and we told the kids he stayed at the North Pole because they were being naughty. They totally love it.

Two Chicks and a Mom said...

My kids are too old for Elf on the Shelf but I would most likely have as much fun with one as you did! Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday.