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Learn how to teach kids gratitude with The Elf on the Shelf through fun and meaningful activities. Discover creative ideas like a Thankful Jar, a 30-Day Gratitude Challenge, printable gratitude questions for families, and a DIY Gratitude Tree Craft. Perfect for parents looking to inspire thankfulness during the holiday season leading up to Thanksgiving! New creative, funny, and original Ideas for the Christmas Elf daily.

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Disclosure: Frugal Coupon Living (the website, blog, and all social media channels) is not associated with CCA and B, LLC d/b/a The Lumistella Company, home of the official The Elf on the Shelf and Scout Elf.

The holiday season is a perfect time to focus on the values that matter most, and gratitude is one of them. As families begin preparing for Thanksgiving and Christmas, this is the perfect opportunity to use The Elf on the Shelf to inspire thankfulness in your home. By combining fun elf antics with meaningful lessons on gratitude, you can help your children learn how to appreciate the blessings in their lives—big or small.

In this blog post, we’ll explore creative ways to turn your North Pole visitor into a cheerful reminder to express thankfulness. Whether you’re introducing your family elf for the first time or you’re a seasoned pro, these ideas will encourage your little ones to count their blessings as they enjoy the excitement of the season.

Gratitude Ideas for The Elf on the Shelf

1. The Thankful Jar

One simple way to incorporate gratitude into your elf’s routine is by setting up a Thankful Jar. Your Christmas companion can leave a note each morning reminding the kids to write down one thing they’re thankful for. They can add their gratitude notes to the jar, which can be read together at Thanksgiving dinner.

Bonus Tip: Pair this activity with a printable 30-day gratitude challenge that your family elf can introduce. The challenge will encourage kids to find something new to be grateful for each day leading up to Thanksgiving.

2. Gratitude Questions for Families

Your tiny elf can encourage meaningful family discussions with over 100 printable Thanksgiving questions including those about gratitude. Each day, your cheerful companion can pull a question from the deck and leave it for the family to discuss at dinner. These printable cards are a fantastic way to strengthen bonds while teaching kids the importance of reflecting on their blessings.

3. Elf with a ‘Thank You’ Sign

Have your Holiday helper hold up a mini sign that says “Thank You” each day, aimed at something specific. Whether it’s thanking someone in the family for cleaning up or showing appreciation for a homemade meal, this little gesture will prompt your kids to think about what they’re grateful for in everyday life.

4. Elf Teaches a Thankfulness Prayer

Your Yuletide elf can introduce the family to a new prayer of thankfulness with this premade Thanksgiving prayer craft. As an example, have the little visitor leave a note with a short gratitude prayer, encouraging your kids to say it at dinner or bedtime. This is a wonderful way to connect gratitude with faith during the holidays.

5. The Grateful Scavenger Hunt

Set up a scavenger hunt where your Jolly sprite leads the children to things around the house that they should be thankful for—whether it’s warm blankets, family photos, or a favorite book. You can even add little notes from the Scout Elf along the way, with a note of why each item is special. It teaches us and kids to recognize even the small things we daily take for granted.

6. DIY Gratitude Tree Craft

Your Merry messenger can bring some DIY fun into your home by setting up a Gratitude Tree Craft. Have your kids create paper leaves, writing something they’re thankful for on each one. Every day, your Christmas companion can leave supplies and instructions for this simple craft that grows more meaningful as Thanksgiving approaches.

7. The Grateful Giving Box

Encourage generosity along with gratitude by having your Tiny scout inspire a giving box. Kids can add toys, books, or clothes they no longer use to a box that will be donated to someone in need. The cheerful companion can help guide the way, serving as a reminder to share our blessings with others.

List of Supplies for Gratitude-Themed Elf Ideas

• The Elf on the Shelf Doll
• Cardstock or paper (this is the best cardstock which is perfect for your fun printables)
• Miniature “Thank You” signs
• A jar for the Thankful Jar
• Small notecards for gratitude notes
• A box or basket for the Grateful Giving Box
• Simple scavenger hunt clues
• A pre-written thankfulness prayer
• Craft Supplies: Scissors, Glue, Tape, etc. for crafting elf props
• Printer (Low-cost pick)

This holiday season, why not transform your holiday mischief-maker into a gratitude ambassador? With the help of printable activities, turn your cheerful companion can bring fun and reflection to your home. By teaching kids to recognize and appreciate the blessings in their lives, your North Pole visitor can help create lasting memories and instill values that stretch beyond the holidays. Whether it’s through kind notes, thoughtful actions, or little reminders, using The Elf on the Shelf to inspire gratitude is a fun and meaningful way to celebrate the season.

Christmas Printable Ideas

Discover the ultimate fun in our digital download wonderland! These Christmas printables can be used alone or you can create really fun ideas for a North Pole Visitor. Check out the Frugal Coupon Living shop for the hottest ideas, featuring holiday activities, games, kid-friendly jokes, letters, notes, and a whole lot more!

Free Christmas Elf Ideas Printables

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5. Enjoy your free printables.

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Christmas Resources for The Elf on the Shelf

Here at Frugal Coupon Living, our mission is to make The Elf on the Shelf season a breeze. We’re no newcomers to the Scout Elf game, boasting over a decade of experience. With a dedicated fan club spanning these ten years, we’ve curated a treasure trove of delightful ideas for your holiday season. Our collection of The Elf on the Shelf resources are your one-stop-shop for crafting the most memorable Scout Elf moments for your family as well. Join us in making this Christmas truly magical!

What is The Elf on the Shelf?

Embrace the cherished Christmas tradition of The Elf on the Shelf, which revolves around a captivating storybook and an adorable Scout Elf doll. This enchanting book, filled with poetic rhymes, unveils the purpose behind the Scout Elf’s visits.

Like clockwork, the little red visitor graces our homes each Thanksgiving and embarks on a nightly journey to and from the North Pole. Every morning, the thrill lies in discovering the Scout Elf in a brand-new, imaginative hiding spot within the house. From peeking out of the refrigerator to fishing in the sink, leaving mirror messages, or swinging from the lights, the North Pole Visitor’s antics never cease to amuse. But remember, there’s a cardinal rule to uphold: never touch the Scout Elf, for it’s the key to preserving their Christmas magic! Each family has the privilege of christening their very own Scout Elf with a special name. Finally, as Christmas Eve dawns, these loyal Scout Elves bid us farewell, returning to their North Pole workshop alongside Santa, awaiting their next wondrous adventure

More Helpful The Elf on the Shelf Ideas Links

Frugal Coupon Living has earned its reputation as the ultimate destination for The Elf on the Shelf ideas. We take pride in our ability to consistently bring joy by relocating our beloved North Pole visitor year after year. With an extensive collection of printable concepts, essential resources, delightful Scout Elf shenanigans, and much more, consider us your go-to resource for maintaining your holiday spirit and sanity throughout the entire Christmas season.

Explore the handy The Elf on the Shelf links to unleash your creativity, access free printables, and find answers to your Scout Elf inquiries.

• The Elf on the Shelf Ideas – A comprehensive starter guide encompassing all things Scout Elf, featuring some of our top posts and downloadable content.
• Largest List of The Elf on the Shelf Ideas – Boasting over 1,000 imaginative The Elf on the Shelf concepts, this ever-expanding list receives daily additions throughout November and December.
• The Elf on the Shelf Questions and Answers – Whether you’re a novice with a Scout Elf or need a refresher on The Elf on the Shelf rules, peruse our frequently asked questions to become an instant Scout Elf expert.
• Free Christmas Elf Ideas Printables – Sign up for our emails and seize the opportunity to obtain these complimentary Christmas Elf digital downloads, aiding your ideas for the elf-repositioning season. These include a calendar, notes, coloring pages, inspiring ideas, and more.
• DIY Bendable The Elf on the Shelf – Transform your Scout Elf into a versatile poser with this simple, no-sew tutorial on creating a bendable Scout Elf.
• Christmas Elf Ideas Shop with Digital Downloads – Explore one of the finest shops brimming with printable resources to elevate your holiday season.
•  Ideas Emails – Receive daily emails featuring fresh ideas to enhance your Elf Moving Committee ideas and holiday experience.

Join the holiday fun on social media! Dive into the Pinterest Board of Ideas for Elves for inspiration and share your own festive adventures. Got a fresh Scout Elf idea we haven’t explored yet? Curious about some Scout Elf secrets? Don’t be shy – drop a comment here or on Pinterest! Let’s keep The Elf on the Shelf excitement alive together!

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.