Waiting for Christmas Day can take forever in a kid’s eyes! These kid-friendly and fun Elf on the Shelf Countdown Ideas are perfect for helping a child see the days until Christmas – Because December is Hard Enough! New creative, funny, and original Elf on the Shelf Ideas daily.
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Disclosure: Frugal Coupon Living and this blog post are not associated with CCA & B, LLC, Scout Elf, Elf on the Shelf, or the Lumistella Company.
The holiday season is just around the corner, and for many families, that means it’s time to start thinking about how to make the most of the festive season. One popular tradition that has taken the world by storm is the Elf on the Shelf. This mischievous little elf has become a beloved holiday tradition in many households, and for good reason. Not only does he add a touch of magic and excitement to the holiday season, but he also provides a fun way for families to count down the days until Christmas.
The Elf Arrival: Welcoming Your Elf to Your Home
If you’re new to the Scout Elf on the Shelf tradition, you might be wondering where to start. The first step is to welcome your elf into your home. This can be a fun and exciting event for the whole family. Some families like to create a special welcome letter for their elf, while others prefer to set up a special scene to welcome their elf to their new home. No matter how you choose to welcome your elf, the key is to make it a fun and memorable event that your kids will look forward to each year.
Countdown Calendars: Fun Ways to Count Down the Days Until Christmas
Once your elf has arrived, it’s time to start counting down the days until Christmas. There are many fun and creative ways to do this, from advent calendars to daily activities and challenges. Some families like to create a special countdown calendar just for their elf, while others prefer to incorporate their elves into their existing holiday traditions. No matter how you choose to count down the days, the key is to make it fun and engaging for the whole family.
The Elf Arrival
The Elf on the Shelf is a beloved holiday tradition that brings joy and excitement to children all over the world. One of the most exciting moments of the season is the arrival of the Elf on the Shelf. Here are some creative ideas to make the Elf’s arrival even more magical.
Creative Entrance Ideas
- Zip Line: Have the Elf arrive via a zip line from the ceiling. This is sure to impress the kids and get them excited for the holiday season.
- Balloon Ride: It’s a special delivery! Tie a bunch of helium balloons to the Elf and have him float down to his landing spot. The kids will love seeing the Elf floating through the air in his own DIY hot air balloon.
- Magic Portal: Create a magic portal using an Elf door. The Elf can pop out of the portal and surprise the kids one morning.
These are just a few ideas to get started with the Elf on the Shelf before you jump into a Christmas countdown. Get creative and have fun with it!
Countdown Calendars
Countdown calendars are a great way to build excitement for the holidays and keep track of how many days are left until Christmas. Here are some fun and easy ideas for DIY countdown calendars that you can make at home:
DIY Calendar Ideas
As the festive season approaches, there’s no better way to count down the days to Christmas than with these charming and interactive DIY calendars. From filling Santa’s beard with fluffy cotton balls to crafting colorful paper chains, we’ve curated a collection of fun and festive ideas that will add a touch of magic to your Scout Elf on the Shelf tradition.
Santa Beard Cotton Balls
For this countdown calendar, all you need is a picture of Santa Claus and some cotton balls. Each day, glue a cotton ball onto Santa’s beard until it’s full and fluffy on Christmas Day. It’s a fun and silly way to count down the days. Each day your Elf can deliver a cotton ball with his elf antic.
Toilet Paper Roll
Save up your empty toilet paper rolls and turn them into a festive countdown calendar. Cut them into equal pieces and decorate each one with wrapping paper, stickers, or paint. Then, stack them up and fill them with treats or small gifts for each day. This creates a cute DIY Advent Calendar. Elf can deliver the toilet paper roll presents daily. As a fun Elf idea, one extra roll of toilet paper and create a toilet paper roll Elf on the Shelf Countdown where there are a few days left until Christmas. (See more Elf on the Shelf Ideas with Toilet Paper.)
Cereal
If you have cereal lying around, you can turn it into a fun countdown calendar. Use cereal (fruit loops are great) and write out the number of days until Santa’s arrival with this cereal countdown idea.
Paper Chain Craft
For a classic countdown calendar, make a paper chain out of construction paper. Cut strips of paper and glue them together to create a chain. Write a number on each link and hang it up. Each day, tear off one link until you reach Christmas Day. This can be done from the ceiling fan or another area of your home.
Dry Erase Board
Add Christmas countdown decor that can be brought by your elves. This printable Christmas countdown can be placed inside a picture frame and you can write on the countdown chart daily using a dry-erase marker.
Chalkboard Craft
The Dollar Tree has cute props for Elf on the Shelf. You can grab this free printable decal and add the number of days until Christmas using chalk in this DIY countdown chalkboard for Christmas.
Bible Verses
If you want Christian Elf on the Shelf ideas counting down the days until Jesus’s birthday, introduce these Elf on the Shelf Advent Calendar Bible Verses. These easy-to-read scripture cards tell the story of Jesus’s birth.
Store-Bought Alternatives
If you don’t have time to make your own countdown calendar, there are plenty of store-bought options available. Look for Advent calendars with pockets, doors, or drawers that you can fill with treats or small gifts. You can also find reusable calendars that you can use year after year. If you are using something that is opened daily, consider adding small treats like these Advent Calendar Fillers.
No matter which type of countdown calendar you choose, it’s sure to add some excitement and anticipation to the holiday season.
Elf Departure
As the holiday season comes to a close, it’s time for the Elf on the Shelf to say goodbye. Here are some fun ideas to make the Elf’s departure just as exciting as its arrival.
Saying Goodbye
- Elf Thank You Note: Have the Elf leave a note thanking the family for the fun and memories shared during its stay. The note can also include a small gift, such as a candy cane or a mini toy.
- Elf Photo Album: Create a mini photo album of the Elf’s adventures during its stay. Include pictures of the Elf getting into mischief, hiding in silly places, and having fun with the family.
- Elf Goodbye Party: Host a mini party for the Elf’s departure. Decorate with balloons and streamers, and serve Elf-themed treats like sugar cookies shaped like the Elf’s hat.
With these fun ideas, saying goodbye to the Elf on the Shelf doesn’t have to be sad. It can be a fun and memorable event that the family will look forward to every year.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some creative Elf on the Shelf countdown ideas that will make my kids laugh?
Elf on the Shelf is a fun tradition that kids look forward to every year. To make it even more exciting, try some of these creative ideas that will make your kids laugh:
- Have your elf bring a small toy or treat each day leading up to Christmas.
- Create a beard with cotton balls and Santa’s face.
- Have Elf hang from the ceiling using a paper chain counting down the days until Christmas.
What are some fun ideas for Elf on the Shelf’s last night before leaving for the North Pole?
On the last night before your elf heads back to the North Pole, try some of these fun ideas:
- Have your elf leave a goodbye note and a small gift for your child.
- Set up a mini party with balloons and treats.
- Have your elf create a scavenger hunt with clues leading to a special surprise.
- Create a mini photo album with pictures of your elf’s adventures throughout the month.
- Bring an Elf on the Shelf retirement letter for when Elf will not return for good.
See more Last Night Ideas for Elf on the Shelf.
Elf Printables
Our most popular Elf printables can be found in our Elf Store. Shop Elf costumes, our Elf Twister board, jokes for kids, Elf letters, Elf notes, Elf games, and so much more!
In addition to these popular Elf props, grab our Santa Countdown using cotton balls to fill Santa’s beard. This countdown is also found in our Printable Elf Prop Coveted Bundle.
Free Elf on the Shelf Printables
We also love sharing Elf 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!
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Elf on the Shelf Resources
At Frugal Coupon Living, our goal is to create an easy Elf on the Shelf season for you. This is not our first year of having an Elf in the home. With over eight years of Elf ideas, we have created a rather large Elf on the Shelf fan club full of new Elf on the Shelf ideas. These Elf on the Shelf resources are all you need to create the best Elf ideas.
What is Elf on the Shelf?
Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas Tradition. The tradition has a book and an 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, that the Elf is not touched 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.
More Helpful Elf on the Shelf Links
Some call Frugal Coupon Living the biggest resource for all things Elf on the Shelf. While we don’t want to brag, we will. We have moved our red little North Pole friend year after year. We have created plenty of free printables, must-have resources, inspirational Elf links, and more. Use us as a platform to keep your sanity through the entire Christmas season.
Use the helpful Elf on the Shelf links to come up with creative ideas, grab free printables, and answer Elf on the Shelf Questions.
- Elf on the Shelf Ideas – a Starter guide to all things elf including some of our top post ideas and Elf on the Shelf digital downloads.
- Largest List of Elf on the Shelf Ideas – Now over 600 Elf on the Shelf Ideas. New ideas are added daily during November and December.
- Elf on the Shelf Questions and Answers – Are you just beginning with an Elf? Could you use a refresher on all the Elf on the Shelf rules? Take a look at frequently asked elf-on-the-shelf questions to get started. You will immediately be an Elf expert.
- Free Elf on the Shelf Printables – Sign up for our emails and grab these free Elf digital downloads to help you during the Elf season. Includes an Elf calendar, notes, Elf coloring pages, encouraging ideas, and more.
- DIY Bendable Elf on the Shelf – Want your Elf to do all sorts of positions? This is an easy no-sew bendable Elf on the Shelf tutorial.
- Elf Shop with Digital Downloads – This is one of the best Elf shops full of printable resources to perfect the holiday season.
- Elf on the Shelf Emails with New Ideas Daily – Each day we will write you with a new Elf on the Shelf idea as well as links to Elf on a Shelf resource and sometimes hidden coupon codes and freebies!
Follow on social media! Take a look at the Elf on the Shelf Pinterest Board. Tell us what you are doing with your Elf on the Shelf this season. Is there an Elf idea we haven’t tried? Do you have any Elf on the Shelf questions? Leave a comment here or on Pinterest.
WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Christmas, Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next party.
Last Updated on November 27, 2023 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living
