I know, I know. 

Anything but the Elf.

We never made it about the Elf “watching” the kids and reporting naughty list behavior to the guy in red. 

In our house, it was just fun. 

We spent every every holiday from August, 2003, through January, 2004 in the NICU.

We missed a lot of family time. Celebrating our first Christmas together, as a family of 4. That was hard on my heart.  They closed down sibling visitation during peak illness, so her big sister wasn't able to visit.

So, when we got the opportunity for something “normal”, we took it. 
Here’s a list of some of our favorite, but easy, Elf on the Shelf ideas.

1. Elf holding story time, under the tree, with friends

This was pretty easy to do as it's literally grabbing a book, a few stuffed animals and set up the scene.  Choose a Christmas book for added fun.

2. Toilet papering the Christmas tree

Our girls thought this was hilarious (this was done long before the toilet paper shortage in 2020). Clean up is easy, also.

3. Elf playing UNO with a doll 

My younger one thought this was hysterical.  **Make sure you set the cards up correctly.  Apparently, I had put a draw 4 down and both the Elf and the doll had the last color played.  

4. Elf making snow angels in a little bit of flour

Pretty simple, just put the Elf in a little bit of flour, make snow angel type movements with the elf, and voila! Elf snow angels!  Use wax paper for easy clean up.

5. Elf kneeling on manger to pray

This was one of my favorites.  Super easy, no clean up, and I loved being able to put a little Christ in Christmas.

Honorable Mentions:

1. Elf and Barbie playing Battle Ship.

2. Elf using a straw to "drink" maple syrup.

3. Elf taking a bubble bath in a bowl of marshmallows.

4. Elf getting a breathing treatment (if you don't know, our younger daughter has complex health issues).

5. Elf holding a remote. (I did NOT use a working remote.)

6. Elf in time out.  Life happened and I put the elf under the tree with an index card that said, "I'm in time out".  That bought me a few nights of not having to stress over moving the elf and kept it fun.