17 Epic Shelf Elf Arrival Ideas [Yes, It’s That Time of Year Again!]

Ready or not, they are coming! Elf on the Shelf is arriving in homes around the world, including ours, at any time. Mike is both a Christmas lover and a creative powerhouse, and our home is filled with holiday spirit and elves (we have a few).

While I know it can be annoying to come up with ideas day after day, we truly cherish these moments because we know how quickly time flies with our kids. I highly recommend grabbing one Elf Kit Make certain days easier to schedule.

Epic Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas

Let’s dive into some fun Elf on the Shelf arrival ideas to start your Elf’s time at home!

Creative ski trails

Over the past few years, we've introduced our elves to mystical snowy trails. These small, artistic footprints are secret hints of the elves' presence, sparking excitement and curiosity in children.

An added bonus is that it’s super easy to set up while you’re still comfortable using it!

Materials required

• white powder (sugar or salt)
• Q-tip or paintbrush

Family themed postcard prelude

Another idea I love is to have your elves send personalized postcards from their “vacations” that incorporate our family’s unique adventures and memories.

I thought we would use this idea on the first of the year since Liv and Jake would love to share what they are up to disney world vacation! I can imagine these postcards would look great using Mike’s gift of storytelling.

Materials required

Elf's Doorway Dilemma

In a funny scene, our elf pretends to be stuck at the front door and can't find his way in. This humorous setting brings laughter and joy, especially to Olivia and Jake, and starts the day with a smile.

Materials required

Paper Plane Squadron

A family-friendly paper airplane-making class will make a wonderful grand entrance for your elves. Everyone, from teenagers to toddlers, can get involved, show off their origami skills and bring the elves into the holiday season.

Materials required

crash landing comedy

Adding a touch of fun to the paper airplane theme, an elf can make a fun, imperfect landing on the Christmas tree. This may spark stories and conversations about their adventures and flying lesson needs.

Materials required

• Christmas tree
• paper airplane

Candy Countdown Feast

Use candy to create a huge “I'm back” message. This fun collaborative effort will not only welcome your elves, but leave plenty for everyone to enjoy.

Materials required

Wall Climbing Elf

Inspired by daddy's creativity, our elf climbs the wall at least once a year. This imaginative display wowed our kids and added a sense of adventure to our holiday setting.

Materials required

melting snowman scene

The scene where the snowman melts is a classic!

Materials required

• pan
• paper and pen
• eyes wide open
• branches
• button
• carrot
• water

Toy Soldiers Confrontation

Combined with the children's toy soldiers, I was able to create a fun scene where the elves were humorously “caught” by the miniature army.

Materials required

Surprise box unveiled

An elf dramatically jumps out of a surprise box, symbolizing the unexpected joy and surprises of the holiday season. This exciting reveal adds an element of fun and spontaneity!

Materials required

walkway lighting

Led by an elf, we lit up our walkways with holiday string lights, turning our home into a beacon of holiday cheer and creating a magical atmosphere for the entire family.

Materials required

• string lights
• External power socket
• Extension cord (if needed)

Santa's Alert Camera

A pretend camera setup (we might ask a teenager for help) adds a touch of magic to your elf's arrival. This imaginative addition hints that Santa is paying attention to the holiday spirit in our homes.

Materials required

• Paper
• mark
• Bulb-shaped object (used for camera illusion)
• Binder, paper clip, or clothespin (to hold the “camera” in place)

The elf landed smoothly

Are there any aviation enthusiasts in the family? Showing off their expert landing skills, your elf can arrive in a toy airplane!

Materials required

• toy airplane
• paper and pen
• string lights

Reindeer Pudding Snacks

You can transform a pudding cup into an adorable reindeer, overseen by your elf. This creative and sweet activity combines a fun craft with a delicious treat to delight everyone in the family.

Materials required

• Chocolate Pudding Cup
• brown pipe cleaner
• eyes wide open
• red pom poms
• glue

The elves are moving in!

One of the cutest ideas is to have your elf build a mini home to commemorate their arrival, complete with doors and holiday decorations!

Materials required

The holidays are really about building memories. I love being able to create fun moments that we can experience together and running downstairs every morning to see what trouble our elf is in has become a special part of Christmas for us.

How did your Elf on the Shelf debut? Let us know in the comments below!

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Emily is an experienced travel writer and editor who has traveled throughout the American West, calling California, Arizona, Wyoming, Montana, and more home, and now Washington, D.C. 's home. With a passion for exploration and a special love for unique Airbnb properties, she brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to every article she writes.

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