Archives for August 12, 2021

As a busy, exhausted mom, you can still have amazing ideas for your Elf doll and use quick and easy elf ideas that don’t bring more holiday stress. Enjoy these Quick & Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas the entire season long and still get two thumbs up from the kids!  New creative, funny, and simple Elf on the Shelf Ideas daily.

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I get it. Five kids and who knows how many years of Elf on the Shelf – maybe on year 12? I am unsure about you but if your holiday season is as buy as mine, you want to fill your kid’s Elf season with the joy of funny and creative Elf ideas. However, from seasonal busyness the time often comes you forget to move the elf or you run out of ideas for anything other than the lazy easy elf on the shelf ideas.

I am here to tell you, you can still have amazing ideas for your Elf doll and use quick and easy elf ideas. Follow some of these creative easy Elf ideas for your North Pole visitor. But before the Elf season begins, it is nice to have a posable Elf that can bend. You can do that easily with our no-sew bendable Elf on the Shelf tutorial.

Did you forget to move your Elf?

We all have experienced waking bug eyed in the night because you forgot to move the Elf. If this is you, these quick and easy elf ideas can be done in just a few seconds time!

In addition to these quick elf on the shelf ideas, save in your back pocket these 25 Reasons Elf on the Shelf forgot to move.

Easy Elf Ideas

Here they are, easy Elf on the Shelf ideas. You can use these last minute Elf ideas nightly for the entire Christmas season or use them for those “oh crap” moments. Quick and easy means it will take you only a few seconds to move the Elf and not hear moans of “our elf is boring” in the morning.

1.) Elf in the Spaghetti Container – In this easy Elf hiding spot in the kitchen, place Elf in the spaghetti storage container. It’s a silly idea and can be placed on your counter top or in your pantry. Plus it probably took you longer to find the stop watch to time how long it took you than to actually do it.

2.) Elf Under the Tree Skirt – You might want to stretch before attempting this challenging idea under the Christmas tree. Simply lift the tree skirt, fold Elf and place him under the Christmas tree. Done.

3.) Elf Playing Connect Four – How about this last minute elf on the Shelf game idea using your child’s games. Connect Four with one of your child’s toys like a Barbie or princess.

4.) Elf Fruits of the Spirit – Cut the Fruits of the Spirt with this free Christian Elf on the Shelf free printable. Place with your fruit to remind your child the reason for the season.

5.) Toilet Paper Roll End is Here – Have fun with this punny funny Elf on the Shelf idea. Elf writes on a toilet paper roll, the end is here. This goes well as a possible last night Elf on the Shelf idea.

6.) Elf Twister Board – One of our most popular props is the Twister Elf Printable. Download and place Elf on the board. Such a silly Elf on the Shelf game for the kids.

7.) Read Your Favorite Book – Place Elf in front of the bookshelf with a note asking your child to read to Elf. It gets reading practice done and provides a nice reading companion for a young child.

8.) Elf Draws on Eggs – In this fun Elf on the Shelf egg idea, elf draws a message using markers – Merry Christmas!

9.) Elf Drinks from an Orange – This original Elf on the Shelf idea is one of the earliest I ever did for my kids (my oldest is a teen.) Insert a straw in an orange and Elf drinks orange juice from an orange.

10.) Elf Covered in Hair Bows – Crab all the hair bows you can and layer them on your Elf doll. This is a fun Elf on the Shelf bow idea.

11.) I Love You Candy Canes Note – Write out I love you using this Candy Cane Elf on the Shelf idea. Download our free Elf on the Shelf printable note –  I ______ You.

12.) Elf Refueling Coffee Station – late nights in the Elf customs station means Elf needs extra fuel in the morning. Poke a hole in a k-cup for a tasty caffeine boost.

13.) Elf Snack Bin – Do you have a snack Bucket in the kitchen. Wrap Elf in a Ziploc bag and insert him in the snack bin in this fun Pantry Elf on the Shelf idea.

14.) Elf Toilet Paper Roll – If you still have toilet paper left from 2020, insert Elf in a toilet paper roll and create this 5 second mischievous Elf on the Shelf idea.

15.) Elf on Strike Sign – This easy Elf idea covers you for many days. Both the Prescription RX Elf on the Shelf Note and Elf on Strike sign can freeze Elf for a number of days and you end up with a cleaned room!

16.) Elf Ice Cream Cone – If you find yourself with some leftover ice cream cones, insert Elf and dash your display with some sprinkles… how long did that last minute Elf idea take?

17.) Elf Toast Warm & Toasty Note – “It was cold outside, but now it’s warm and toasty!” Poke two arm holes in to toast. Create a Warm and Toasty Elf on the Shelf.

18.) Elf Mini Kisses –  In this quick and easy elf idea, wrap tiny chocolate chips as Hershey kisses.

19.) Elf Chocolate Note – Who wouldn’t love this Chocolate Elf on the Shelf idea, add some Reese’s and mention you love your child to pieces.

20.) Candy Canes Elf Scavenger Hunt – Everyone loves a good Christmas Scavenger Hunt. Help your child find candy canes with this Elf Scavenger Hunt idea.

21.) Elf Toilet Paper Snowman – “Do you wanna build a snowman?” Easily make your own toilet paper snowman for Elf or use our printables to craft this funny Elf on the Shelf Idea.

22.) Elf Burrito – Did Taco Tuesday leave a few leftover tortillas? Wrap your Elf in this fun Elf on the Shelf Burrito idea.

23.) Elf Cradles Baby Jesus – We love some alternative Christian Elf on the Shelf ideas, it reminds of the reason for the Christmas season.

24.) Elf Hide and Seek Camo – I bet it takes forever to find this camoflauge Elf on the Shelf in the Christmas tree. Use dry erase markers for the coloring.

25.) Elf Banana Notes – Go while, write cute little messages on the Bananas. Maybe you can add some funny Elf Jokes and add the bananas to your child’s lunch box.

26.) Elf Car Wash – Grab a sponge and hot wheels and take your child’s toys to the bubbles car wash.

27.) Elf Rides a Dinosaur – Elf meet dinosaur. Your new ride for the next 24 hours. That was a quick elf idea.

28.) Nice Alert Elf Note – This nice-o-meter will remind your child how nice they are being this holiday season. Don’t forget, Elf is watching so you can stay on Santa’s nice list. Grab this free Elf on the Shelf printable.

29.) Elf Q-Tip Snow Flakes – This is a very lazy easy Elf on the Shelf idea. Lay down Q-tips in the shape of adorable snowflakes.

30.) Stink Stank Stunk Spray – Have you tried Stink Stank Stunk Spray? Wrap this elf printable around a can of Lysol. It’s perfect for keeping the Grinch away. Of course, this is an excellent Quarantine Elf addition, we all need Lysol to spray other germs too!

31.) Toilet Paper Hammock – Just hanging out. In this toilet paper Elf on the Shelf idea, tie some to the towel rack to make an Elf on a Shelf hammock prop.

32.) Elf Shaving – In this quick Elf on the Shelf idea, place Elf beside the razor and saving cream. Add a little foam to his face too.

33.) North Pole or Bust Globe – In this good-bye Elf on the Shelf idea, Elf is headed to the North Poel for good. North Pole or bust! You can add a cute printable suitcase Elf prop too.

34.) Elf Hot Dogs – Left over hot dog buns? Add some chips and place Elf in the middle of a hot dog bun for this really quick last minute Elf on a Shelf idea.

35.) Elf Decorates the Family Portrait – We have done Elf on the Shelf portrait multiple ways. In this idea, I used poster putty to add googly eyes and a red nose.

36.) Elf Taped on the Wall – Use washi tape to tape Elf on the Shelf on the wall or a door. You can write a message like Help at the top.

37.) Elf Trapped in Mixer – Every thing is mixed up, insert Elf in the mixer. Just don’t turn it on!

38.) Elf Glow Sticks – This idea is especially cool in a dark place. Wrap glow stick bracelets for fun loops around Elf’s body.

39.) Elf is a Poinsettia – Using red construction paper, turn Elf into a poinsettia plant.

40.) Elf Tied to the Train Track – Washi tape and bakers twine create this Elf on the Shelf train track idea.

100s More Quick Elf Ideas

Don’t forget our Lazy Elf on the Shelf Ideas too! This are excellent last minute Elf ideas that don’t cause too much time and very few props to create.

On Frugal Coupon Living we have new Elf on the Shelf Ideas daily in the months of November and December. You can view our Elf on the Shelf Master List for a full list of last minute Elf on the Shelf ideas including every idea we have ever done. This will give you a full list of quick elf ideas to keep it care free and fun.

Want new Elf on the Shelf Ideas in your inbox daily in the month of November & December? Sign up here!

Easy Elf on the Shelf Printables

Having a back pocked of resources is great for creating a quick and easy Elf ideas. I highly suggest picking up one of the Elf Props Printable Bundles.

This will give you days upon days of digital downloads for your Elf. Get anywhere form 47 to 112 Days of Elf ideas – you will never use them all, keeping many ideas for the following year.

Our most popular Elf on the Shelf printables can be found in our Elf Store. Shop Elf costumes, our Elf Twister board, Jokes for Kids, our Magic Shrinking Machine and so much more!

Shop Elf Printables + Digital Downloads

Free Elf Printables

One of the best resources you can have for quick and easy Elf on the Shelf ideas, is an Elf Calendar template. It keeps you organized and reminds you each day new quick Elf idea you need to do.

We also love sharing Elf on the Shelf free printables! Download and print for quick Elf on the Shelf ideas. Get all of our free Elf on the Shelf printables by entering your email address below. Look for an email to confirm you signed up. Once you confirm, look for a second email in your inbox with a link and password!

Free Printables Step by Step Directions

1.) Enter your email address here.

2.) Look for a confirmation email in your inbox and confirm you requested a sign up.

3.) We will send you a Free Printables Welcome Email with link and passcode to all of our free printables.

4.) Enter your passcode at the top of the page here and click “Access Printables”

5. Enjoy your Elf on the Shelf Printables.

Elf on the Shelf on Social Media

Save these ideas because you will want to stay up to date on these ideas each Christmas season. We do our best to mix up easy and hard Elf on the Shelf Ideas.

Elf on the Shelf Facebook Page

Multiple ideas are added each day to our Elf on the Shelf Ideas Facebook page. This is a great way for you to share your own Elf on the Shelf Ideas and share our ideas to your page. There are some good ones! Be sure to like the page!

Elf on the Shelf Pinterest Boards

We also are in charge of a Elf on the Shelf Ideas Pinterest board. On this board, we have invited other bloggers to share their ideas and free Elf on the Shelf Printables too! Be sure to follow the board!

Our goal, to make Elf easy for you!

Don’t forget all of our daily Elf on the Shelf Ideas and Lazy Elf ideas.  Pin to Pinterest on your Christmas and Elf Boards.

We have been doing Elf on the Shelf forever. See our Elf on the Shelf Master List. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Take your kids on a HALLOWEEN SCAVENGER HUNT for candy or fun non-spooky goodies.


Also access our Free Frugal Coupon Living Printables to help you find joy through embracing the chaos of motherhood more easily!



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