This exclusive resource page is dedicated to helping Ottawa Parents create magical mornings without the midnight panic!
Ready to make this the easiest Elf season ever?
Inside, you'll find our popular list of 30 Simple Ideas, downloadable arrival and departure letters, fun coloring pages, and the details on how you can win a prize just for joining the fun!
Elf’s Arrival 2025
The Balloon Drop
Use a helium-filled (red or green works great!) and let it float near the ceiling in the main room. Attach a long piece of twine or ribbon that reaches the floor. Secure the Elf to the ribbon near the top, and tie the Elf's Arrival Letter to the ribbon at child height.
Special Delivery Mail
Place the Elf inside your home mailbox, on the banister, or emerging from a large, brown manila envelope addressed to the child. Have the Elf holding their Arrival Letter as a "delivery slip." Use a festive holiday stamp or sticker on the envelope for an extra touch!
The Suitcase Stowaway
Use a small box, lunchbox, or decorative bag and label it "North Pole Baggage." Place the Elf inside and surround them with a few miniature items (like a doll-sized toothbrush, a candy cane, or a piece of crumpled tissue paper) to make it look like they just finished a long journey. Don't forget their Arrival Letter inside!
Special Delivery Mail
Place the Elf tangled in a festive piece of ribbon, string, or even garland. Set the tangled Elf on top of a laundry basket or a pile of clean (or messy!) clothes, suggesting they got delayed after taking a shortcut down the laundry chute or clothesline from the North Pole. Place the Arrival Letter where the child will see it first.
30 Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Category 1: ⏱️ 5-Minute Setup (Mischief & Pranks)
These ideas use common kitchen and bathroom items and are the fastest to execute.
Toilet Paper Tree: The Elf has "wrapped" a door, the Christmas tree, or even a child's bedroom door with toilet paper.
Banana Minions: Draw Minion faces (or simple smiles/mustaches) on a few bananas and have the Elf posing next to them with the marker.
Googly Eye Takeover: Stick googly eyes on everything in the fridge (milk carton, ketchup bottle, eggs) or on family photos.
Lipstick Message: Use a washable marker or lipstick to write a silly message ("I'm Back!" or "I Love Ottawa!") on the bathroom mirror.
Cereal Box Ride: Cut a small hole in the bottom of a cereal box and poke the Elf's legs through, making it look like the Elf is getting a "box full" of breakfast.
"Frozen" in Ice: Place the Elf in a zip-top bag with water and freeze it. Pose a doll nearby, making it look like she worked her "icy magic."
Spoon Drummer: Give the Elf two spoons and pose them "drumming" on upside-down kitchen pots and pans.
Taped to the Wall: Gently tape the Elf to a cabinet door or the refrigerator with masking tape and a sign that reads: "I was naughty! Trapped me!"
Stuck in a Jar: Place the Elf upside down inside a large glass jar, trying to "climb out."
Shoe Train: Line up the family's shoes and place the Elf in the front one, "driving" a long shoe train across the floor.
Category 2: 🍬 Food & Fun (Easy Props)
These scenes use small treats or simple snacks to create a fun, contained setup.
Marshmallow Bath: The Elf is sitting in a mug or small bowl filled with mini-marshmallows (a "bubble bath").
Doughnut Swing: Loop a ribbon through a chocolate donut and hang it from a kitchen cabinet handle for a simple swing.
Hot Cocoa Dive: Have the Elf "diving" headfirst into a packet or container of hot cocoa mix.
Fishing for Goldfish: Use a string and a pretzel stick to make a fishing rod. Have the Elf "fishing" for Goldfish crackers in a sink or bowl.
KitKat Jenga: Pose the Elf next to a small tower built out of KitKat bars (or other small snack boxes).
Snowflake Cutouts: The Elf is surrounded by paper scraps and a few simple paper snowflake cutouts they "made" overnight.
Tucked in Bread: Gently place the Elf inside a loaf of sliced bread with only the face poking out, like they've made a cozy bed.
Pancake Stack: Pose the Elf next to a high stack of small pancakes or waffles, maybe with a tiny dollop of syrup.
Candy Cane Sledding: Glue a few candy canes together to make a tiny sled and pose the Elf riding it down a banister or a stack of books.
Marshmallow Snowman: Make a tiny snowman out of three stacked mini-marshmallows and have the Elf posing next to it.
Category 3: ✍️ Interactive & Kind (Notes/Games)
These ideas usually involve a note or a small activity the child can participate in.
Reading to Toys: Pose the Elf sitting with a small book reading to a circle of stuffed animals. Note: "Shhh! Story time! Don't interrupt!"
Movie Night Prep: Prop the Elf up next to the TV remote and a small bowl of popcorn (a bottle cap works well). Note: "Movie night starts now!"
Brushing Reminder: The Elf is sitting on the bathroom counter next to a tube of toothpaste and a toothbrush. Note: "Brush, brush, brush! Gotta stay clean!"
Coloring Buddy: Place the Elf with an open coloring book and a few crayons, having "helped" to color a festive picture. Note: "I started this, can you finish it?"
"Elfie" Time: Set the Elf up at a laptop or tablet, looking at a "selfie" picture you pre-loaded. Note: "But first, let me take an elfie!"
Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge: Set up a mini-game of Tic-Tac-Toe using small treats (like M&Ms) on a napkin. Note: "I'm ready for the next game! I bet I'll win!"
Simple Gift: Have the Elf sitting next to a wrapped book or a new ornament. Note: "A little gift from the North Pole."
Laundry Basket Ride: Place the Elf inside a laundry basket (or toy car) with a stuffed animal as a passenger. Note: "Need a ride to the North Pole?"
Wrapped in Ribbon: Wrap the Elf (and maybe a friendly stuffed animal) loosely in kitchen twine or yarn. Note: "I got tangled in ribbon! Help!"
Hiding in the Tree: This is the easiest: simply hide the Elf deep within the branches of the Christmas tree. Note: "Can you find me today?"
Magical Elf Goodbye Ideas
The Magic Key Exchange
Find a small, decorative, or old key (this is the "Magic Key"). Place the Elf sitting next to it, with the Goodbye Letter tied to the key. The letter explains that the key is entrusted to the child to keep the Christmas spirit and magic active in the home until the Elf returns next season.
Sprinkle Good Luck Dust
The Elf is sitting in a small pile of festive glitter or sprinkles (their "flying dust"). The Goodbye Letter explains that the remaining sprinkles are Good Luck Dust for the new year.
The Final Photo Booth
Lean the Elf against a mirror or photo frame and surround them with small, simple photo booth props (paper mustaches, glasses, etc.), suggesting the Elf took one last silly photo.
Wrapped and Ready for Take-Off
Place the Elf partially wrapped in a ribbon or inside a small box labeled "Return to North Pole," clearly signaling they are packed up and waiting for Santa's pickup.
Snap, Tag, and Win!
NOTES FROM THE NORTH
“The true magic of the season isn't in perfect setups, but in the sparkle in your children's eyes each morning. May your mornings be easy and your holidays be full of joy!“
