Looking Elf on a Shelf return ideas? Follow this tutorial from Katelyn at JamesandHolly.etos for how to make a Dollar Tree DIY Ornament Wreath for Elf on the Shelf – so adorable, use as Christmas décor after Elf’s arrival. New creative, funny, and original Elf on the Shelf Ideas daily.
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We are back, so is the Elf on the Shelf! If you have been with us a long time, you know we have brought you a new Elf on the Shelf Ideas daily (in the months of November and December) for the past seven years. You can view our Elf on the Shelf Master List for a full list of ideas including every idea we have ever done.
Of course, if Elf comes back, he/she needs a really cute Elf on the Shelf arrival idea! First, let’s talk about the Elf doll.
Does Dollar Tree have Elf on the Shelf?
The original Elf on the Shelf doll only comes in a box with a book. This set typically costs in the $30 range and is rarely is Elf on the Shelf on sale. Because of the price range, you will not find the Elf on the Shelf set at the Dollar Store. You can find this brand at many major retailers including Target, Amazon, Walmart.
That being said, for this DIY ornament craft you will need your own Elf on the Shelf doll or you can use the Dollar Tree Elf plush in boy or girl.
DIY Dollar Store Christmas Craft Supplies
For this DIY Christmas wreath, most supplies can be found at the Dollar Tree. For the DIY Dollar Store Christmas decorations you cannot find, Hobby Lobby, Amazon, or your local craft store are all great alternatives so you don’t spend a ton of money.
Supplies:
- The Elf on the Shelf Doll(s)
- Dollar Tree Pool Noddle (also consider wire wreath frame, grapevine wreath or styrofoam wreaths circles)
- Dollar Store Ornaments (large, medium and small ornaments bring a nice mixture)
- Wooden Letters (these are from Hobby Lobby, but similar one inch letters are here)
- Hot Glue Gun
- Glue Sticks
- Mini Christmas Pom-Poms (search the Dollar Store or similar ones here)
Frugal tip: Save money on new ornaments and use your old ornaments you no longer use on the Christmas tree or shop a flea market for vintage ornaments.
Craft tip: Want to raid your craft supplies? Other Christmas craft supplies you can bring into your Dollar Tree ornament wreath craft are small or large jingle bells, faux greenery, pine cones, or burlap ribbon for a pretty bow.
How to make a Dollar Tree Ornament Wreath
To begin, Katelyn says gather all of your materials.
Using your hands or pliers, remove the tops off of the ornaments. This step is a bit of a hassle but makes the ornaments much easier to glue on later. Put the Christmas balls aside.
Take your wreath frame (pool noddle) and cut bottom of the wreath circle with scissors or a knife. This will give your Christmas wreath an arch shape. This step is completely optional.
Start with the larger ornaments and begin gluing on the ornaments in a cluster kind of way. It does not have to be perfect.
After the larger ornament goes on, add medium ornaments and small ornaments keeping in that cluster type of formation. Continue to wrap around the front and edge of the wreath. You will have hot glue strings along the way.
When your whole wreath is glued with ornaments, fill in some of the gaps with mini Christmas pom-poms. Put your wreath to the side.
Lay out your message with your small wooden letters. This can say “I am back” “I missed you” or even a common Christmas quote message like “Merry Christmas!”
I personally like to count how many characters I use in the the message and start with the center character. For example for the message “I am back” there are 9 characters (7 letters and 2 spaces.) The middle character is a space. So I will put the m and b of centered from the center of the wreath and work my way to the right and left gluing one letter at a time. Have grace and forgiveness when laying down these letters. It can be hard depending on how 3-demensional your wreath is.
Voila! Your entire wreath is complete!
Have fun with this Christmas wreath. You could even use your ornament arch and have Elf drive through the center in a car or even an airplane. Perhaps set up an entire parade welcoming the fantastic arrival of your family elf.
Using your finished wreath’s leftover supplies, I would love to see want additional DIY Dollar Store Christmas decorations you make!
Want more Elf ideas and craft fun? Visit Katelyn at JamesandHolly.etos on Instagram. They are an adorable Elf on the Shelf Duo. See also their Christmas ornament wreath from last year.
More Elf on a Shelf Return Ideas
It’s natural to want Easy Elf on the Shelf ideas for the entire season. Trying to create an elf craft in the night can be hard when you’ve had a busy.
Prepare in November for your First Night of Elf on the Shelf. That first need should have the most time invested. Save the Easy Elf on the Shelf ideas for later.
Elf Return Ideas
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Elf on the Shelf Quarantined in a Mason Jar
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Elf on the Shelf Trapped in a Balloon
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Elf with a Thanksgiving Joke
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Elf arrives in a hot Air Balloon
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Elf arrives with a Christmas breakfast
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Elf returns in a package
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Elf bring Elf on the Shelf Rules
Also take a look at these really good Elf on the Shelf Arrival ideas. We are constantly adding more ideas, so check in to see what’s new. There are more Elf on the Shelf first night ideas than you could possible do in the time your child’s Elf visiting period of time.
For many of these Elf on the Shelf ideas, make sure you have an elf that can bend. You can do that easily with our Bendable Elf on the Shelf tutorial.
Elf on the Shelf Printables
Our most popular Elf on the Shelf printables can be found in our Elf Store. Shop Elf arrival letters, Elf costumes, our Elf Twister board, Jokes for Kids, our Magic Shrinking Machine and so much more!
Free Elf Printables
We also love sharing Elf on the Shelf free printables! 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!
What is Elf on the Shelf?
Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas Tradition. The tradition has a book and a elf doll. The book is poetic and in rhyme sharing the purpose of the Elf’s visits. The Elf visits each Thanksgiving. He/She goes and returns from the North Pole each evening. Every morning he can be found in a new location in the house. The Elf has been found in the refrigerator, fishing in the toilet, writing messages on the mirror or hanging from the lights. It is VERY IMPORTANT, the Elf is not touch each evening or his Christmas magic will be lost! Each family is able to name their special elf. The elves return to their home (Santa’s North Pole Work shop) every Christmas Eve. An Elf’s Story can also be found on DVD
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Don’t forget all of our daily Elf on the Shelf 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? Be germ free! This fun gift tag + hand soap creates this cute TEACHER GIFT IDEA FOR THANKSGIVING.
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