I know Elf on the Shelf gets a lot of hate for all the extra time and energy it requires, but I can’t help but love this tradition for the magic it adds to our home!

My teenage daughter has been talking a lot the last couple of weeks about the Christmas holidays being her favorite time of year, and in her words: it’s not because of the gifts. She told me it’s because she loves the magic we've created for her (and her siblings) through our traditions, new and old, along with the overall feeling our home has this time of year with the meaningful decor - the homemade ornaments and sentimental holiday decor. 

One of those traditions of course has been, Elf on the Shelf! Our daughters were 4 years old when Sally the Scout Elf “arrived” - needless to say, it’s been a fixture here for a number of years now, and a craft I've been perfecting more and more each holiday season! Of course, my daughter and stepdaughter are past the age of believing this little elf gets up to trouble all on its own, but they now get to experience the joy of helping me create the magic for their brother! (Sometimes they still like the surprise and ask me to work my magic after they’ve gone to bed.) 

As much fun as I have with this tradition, one thing is for sure - I’ve learned that it's far easier to pull off these silly elf antics if I have a plan in place so a few years ago I started creating two lists to keep me organized. The first is the list of what the elf will do each night and the second is a shopping list of all the supplies I will need to ensure my plan doesn’t become unhinged! 

Over the years friends and family have learned they can count on me for inspiration, which is why I've decided to turn our family tradition of annual elf antics into a blog for everyone to use!

Ease your Elf On The Shelf stress, Stepmama! Calendar, Shopping List, and Instructions Await!

Download the calendar here

Download the shopping list here

Keep scrolling for daily instructions + inspo pictures

December 1: Deliver Advent calendar with a note that says: I’m back! 

December 2: Hide the elves in your child’s stocking with just the arms and head peeking out.

December 3: Snowball fight between toys and elf. I set this up on our kitchen table by first sprinkling shredded coconut, but anything white will work.  Next, I use books or other objects for the toys to “hide” behind. Lastly, I sprinkle the marshmallows around and place a few around each toy (or in their hands if possible for an added magical touch!)

December 4: Plant Tic Tacs to grow magic candy canes. Leave a small bowl of white sugar and 3 white tic tacs with a note that reads: Want to see some Christmas magic? Plant these seeds and see what grows! (Don’t forget to take Tic Tacs out of the sugar and replace them with candy canes.)

December 5: Leave out food/toys for a local Christmas food drive (schools often participate in these.) Either have the child take them to school or go together to drop them off at a local charity. Alternatively, you could turn this into a 1:1 or family activity with your stepchild, having the elves leave a list of much-needed items of a local charity (such as a women’s shelter.) You can oftentimes find these lists on their website or simply by calling. 

December 6: Spread flour or sprinkles generously over a cookie sheet. Next, place the elf right side up, moving its arms and legs back and forth in a snow angel action to create the look of snow angels on the cookie sheet. You can either leave the elf laying down, or place it beside. 

December 7: For this one you’ll need a cheese grater, crayons and mini M&M’s (multi-coloured sprinkles will also work.) Have the elf “holding” a crayon over the grater with a pile of candies/sprinkles coming out the bottom. 

December 8: The elf is worn out by now! This one is pretty easy - simply place your elf under the tree and cover with a dishcloth, or put them in a Santa hat for an added magical touch. I always leave a sign that reads: I played too many reindeer games last night.

December 9: Set out popcorn/favorite movie snacks with a sign beside the elf that says: Movie night? Years ago I used to put the DVD with the popcorn… but times have changed!

December 10: For this you’ll need a slow cooker or pot and marshmallows. Fill the slow cooker with marshmallows and place the elf inside so they look as though they are relaxing. Place a sign next to this that reads: elf’s name Hot Tub. 

December 11: Set up a board game, putting the elf on one side of the game board and another toy on the other side. You could even have them holding game pieces.

December 12: Using Little Debbie Christmas trees, set up a “tree farm” with a sign that reads: Welcome to (elf’s name) Tree Farm. You can use leftover coconut (from December 2nd) to sprinkle around the tree farm you create. Alternatively, you can bake your own trees (I’ve done brownies in the past and used a tree cookie cutter to make the shape.) You could also gather up all the Christmas tree decor from around the house and set that up with a sign instead of using brownies or cakes.

December 13: For this next trick you’ll need a bag of wavy chips and a bag of the same flavour regular chips. Have a pile on each side of the elf, sitting next to an iron, with a sign that reads: I ironed your chips for you! 

December 14: Elf delivers a new Christmas book. Alternatively, you could leave out a Christmas book you already own with a sign that reads: Can we read this together? You could also have the elf leave holiday-themed socks, shirt or Pj’s! This year the elves will bring the man-cub a new holiday shirt for his Ugly Sweater theme day at school the following day.

December 15: Leave a bowl full of Malteesers with a sign that says “Reindeer Poop”

December 16: Leave a game out with the elf sitting beside with a sign that reads: Family game night?

December 17: Have the elf sitting on the counter with all the ingredients and necessary supplies (bowls, mixing spoons, cookie sheet, etc) to make your favorite cookies! Alternatively, you can leave gingerbread houses out with a sign that says: Let’s decorate!

Below is a recipe + instructions for my favorite Snickerdoodle's!

• ½ cup butter (softened)

• 1 cup white sugar

• ¼ tsp baking soda

• ¼ tsp cream of tartar

• 1 egg

• ½ tsp vanilla

• 1.5 cups all purpose flour

• 2 tbsp white sugar

• 1 tsp ground cinnamon

• In a medium bowl, beat butter with a mixer for 30 seconds.

• Add 1 cup sugar, baking soda & cream of tartar. Beat until combined.

• Beat in egg and vanilla until combined.

• Beat in as much flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in remaining flour.

• Cover and chill dough for approx. 1 hour or until easy to handle.

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

• Combine 2 tbsp sugar with the cinnamon.

• Shape dough into 1 inch balls.

• Roll balls in sugar-cinnamon mixture to coat.

• Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet (I line mine with parchment paper)

• Bake for 10-11 minutes or until the edges are golden.

• Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

December 18: Fill a glass jar with water. Add a small carrot, two twigs and buttons. Have the elf sitting beside it with a sign that says: I brought you a snowman from the North Pole! 

December 19: Attach yarn or ribbon to something in the room and extend it to wherever you want your elf to end up. I always go from the door to the top of the Christmas tree. Next, secure the elfs hands to a candy cane using tape and then hang the candy cane over the zipline. 

December 20: If you don’t have a chimney in your home, find an old key and paint it red (I used nail polish.) Attach a small note that tells the child that this is a magic key from the North Pole and is to be left out on Christmas Eve for Santa to use to get into the house.

December 21: Have the elf sitting beside a bowl full of Hershey Kisses with a sign that says: Elf Kisses 25 cents. 

December 22: Have the elf serve a traditional elf breakfast (I used the movie Elf for inspiration.) Pre-cook spaghetti and keep it hidden in the fridge. In past years I have served pasta for dinner a night or two prior and kept a small portion hidden in the back of the fridge. Place pasta in a bowl and top with maple syrup, chocolate chips, sprinkles and marshmallows.

December 23: Line the outer edge of a plate with Skittles. I usually put two or three of the same color Skittles beside each other to ensure the “rainbow” is distinct. Next, Place an empty glass beside it and add a note that says: Ready for some more elf magic? Simply pour warm water onto the center of the plate and wait to see what happens! (As the water touches the Skittles they will begin to release their color, creating a rainbow.) Click here to watch a quick video I made last year!

December 24th: Leave the elf under the Christmas tree with a note that says: I can’t believe today is my last day here! I’ve had so much fun with you this holiday season. Thank you for helping tidy up after me - us elves can be a little messy sometimes! I know you’re going to be sad to see me go, so Santa told me that just for today he is taking my elf magic away. This means you can carry me around, give me hugs and show me all your toys! Just be sure to put me right back here where you found me before you go to bed tonight becuase Santa will pick me up after he delivers your gifts! Merry Christmas *child’s name.* Love, *elf's name*

I can't wait to see what your elf gets up to! Be sure to tag me on social @amelia.lane.stepparentcoach so I can follow along!

Wishing you all the best this holiday season,

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