Elf on the Shelf Tips and Advice

✨ Make Elf on the Shelf Easy This Year! ✨
If you love the magic of Elf on the Shelf but don’t love the late-night scramble for ideas, you need to check out Your Best Elf. This all-in-one Elf kit comes with everything you need for a full month of fun, creative setups—so you can relax and actually enjoy the holiday magic with your kids!

I’m going to write this post assuming that you already know how elf on the shelf works. I’m guessing by now you have some idea since that silly elf is all over facebook and pinterest, but if you don’t know you can read about the tradition here.  I want to show you a round-up of my favorite things our elf did last year, but I thought it would be nice to offer a little advice first.

Elf on the Shelf advice:

1. Don’t over do it!

If you do a big thing every single day you are going to get burned out fast. I think Pinterest makes it look like you have to do a huge production every day, but limit those to once a week, twice a week, or every other day. Whatever you think you can handle. Our elf has done some pretty big things, but the thing my kids loved the most is when he was on the curtain rod in their toy room, which happens to be the easiest thing I have done with him. Simple things are still magical and fun.

2. Have a plan

You don’t have to necessarily write down what you are going to do everyday, but maybe have a plan in your head for the next three or four days. Believe me, when all of a sudden it is 11:30 at night and you are tired you won’t know what to do with the little elf. If you have a plan you’ll already know where to stick him. There are a few great elf on the shelf calendars out there. This one is my favorite.

3. Use your kids’ toys

Incorporate your kids’ toys somehow, they are perfect props. I’ve seen elves riding in Barbie cars, reading stories to toys, sharing a soda with Barbie, turning cars into reindeer for a sleigh. My boys think it is so funny when their toys are “interacting” with our elf and it only adds to the magic.

4. Put him up high

Your kids will be less likely to touch him if he’s up high. Once your kids know the rules about not touching him you can get a little more adventurous where you put him.

5. Get ideas from Pinterest

Pinterest is FULL of great ideas for Elf on the Shelf. If you need some ideas on where to start check out these posts:

fun elf on the shelf ideas

easy elf on the shelf ideas

 

6. Have fun!

The Elf on the Shelf is one of my favorite traditions I’ve ever started. I love watching the excitement and wonder on my kids’ faces. I love that their world is still magical and simple things still delight them. Keeping those things in mind makes elf on the shelf so much fun for me. I know the holidays are a hectic time and adding one more thing to list seems crazy, but the elf doesn’t have to take up that much of your time (check out advice #1). My kids still talk about our elf, Streamer, to this day. We write him letters and my kids are counting down the days until he shows up. Believe me, the elf on the shelf tradition is worth it!

Okay, now on to my pictures!

 

When our elf first showed up at our house I knew my kids didn’t know the rules of not touching him, so I covered our front room door with streamer to block them when they first woke up. It is also how our elf on the shelf got the name Streamer. (By the way, our elf shows up the day after Thanksgiving, but your elf can show up when you want. You can start December 1st or wait until the week before Christmas, it’s up to you!)

Streamer drew silly faces on our pictures with a dry erase marker (make sure it’s dry erase for easy clean up!).

 

Streamer brought gifts a few times, but they were things I already planned on giving my kids, I just let Streamer get the credit! 🙂

Oh no! Streamer was captured by Curious George and his friend. At least they’re friendly monkeys.

 

Streamer brought a countdown chain one day with a bag of candy, he also had a letter in his hands that explained that they got to pick out one piece of candy each day after tearing off a link of the chain.

 

On December 1st Streamer showed up with a “North Pole breakfast” to celebrate the month of December.

We ate Christmas lights cereal (Fruity Pebbles), Elf oranges (Clementines), snowballs (powder donuts) and Santa’s favorite hot chocolate.

Streamer is hanging on for dear life to this parachute guy.

 

Streamer has a little mischievous side to him. He painted their noses red while they were asleep.

 

My kids LOVED this (even though my daughter looks a little peaved.)


 

This is on Christmas Eve my kids waving goodbye to Streamer.

 

Make the Holidays Easier (and More Magical!) with Your Best Elf 🎄✨

If you’ve ever found yourself frantically trying to come up with a new Elf on the Shelf idea at midnight, you’re not alone. As moms, we love creating magical moments for our kids—but sometimes, the holiday season gets so busy that even the elf magic starts to feel like one more thing on the to-do list.

That’s exactly why I’m so excited about Your Best Elf—a genius Elf on the Shelf kit that takes all the planning, stress, and late-night chaos out of the equation.

What Is Your Best Elf?

Your Best Elf is a complete Elf on the Shelf kit designed to make your December so much easier. It includes everything you need for 24+ days of creative, adorable, and easy-to-set-up elf adventures.

Each day’s setup comes with:

• Simple instructions (no Pinterest search required!)

• Props and accessories that bring the magic to life

• A ready-to-go layout so you can set it up in minutes

It’s like having your own personal elf assistant—so you can spend less time scrambling and more time soaking up the holiday fun with your family.

Why Moms Love Your Best Elf

Let’s be honest—our time is precious during the holidays. Between wrapping gifts, school concerts, family gatherings, and baking cookies, the last thing we need is extra stress.

Here’s why Your Best Elf is such a game-changer:
🎅 No creativity required – Every setup is already planned for you.
🎁 Zero stress – You’ll never have to stay up late wondering what to do next.
✨ Guaranteed smiles – The kids will wake up amazed every single morning.
💖 Mom win – You’ll feel like a holiday hero with minimal effort.

How It Works

1. Order your kit from Your Best Elf.

2. Open the box when December rolls around—it’s filled with prepped scenes and props.

3. Follow the simple daily guide for each setup.

4. Watch your kids’ faces light up every morning!

It’s that easy. You can even add your own personal touches if you want, but honestly, the kit makes it simple enough to just open and go.

Perfect for Busy Parents

I love that Your Best Elf gives you permission to keep the holiday magic alive—without burnout. Whether you’re a working mom, stay-at-home parent, or somewhere in between, this kit is designed to save you time while keeping the tradition special.

Ready to Make This Holiday Season Stress-Free?

Skip the stress and say yes to a simpler, more joyful holiday with Your Best Elf.

It’s the perfect way to keep the spirit of Christmas alive without losing sleep (or your sanity).

🎄✨ Check it out here → Your Best Elf