Thinkabara

🧝 24 Easy Christmas Elf Ideas

One idea for every night of December — each one takes two minutes or less. Plus a printable arrival letter, a goodbye letter and an elf report card.

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  1. Day 1: Arrival day. The elf arrives with a letter and a hot cocoa kit.
  2. Day 2: Marshmallow bath. Sitting in a bowl of mini marshmallows like a bubble bath.
  3. Day 3: Zip-lined in. Hanging from a string across the room with a clothespin.
  4. Day 4: Toilet paper snowman. Built a snowman out of three rolls of toilet paper.
  5. Day 5: Art class. Drew silly mustaches on family photos (on sticky notes!).
  6. Day 6: Fishing. Fishing for goldfish crackers in the sink with a candy cane.
  7. Day 7: Snow angel. Made a snow angel in flour on the kitchen counter.
  8. Day 8: Stuck in the fridge. Waiting for breakfast in the fridge with a note: “It’s cold in here!”
  9. Day 9: Book club. Reading a Christmas book to the stuffed animals.
  10. Day 10: Cookie thief. Caught with a half-eaten cookie and crumbs everywhere.
  11. Day 11: Kindness day. Left a list: “Today let’s make a card for a neighbor.”
  12. Day 12: Camping. Built a tent out of a napkin and toothpicks.
  13. Day 13: Puzzle challenge. Left a word search or Capy Word challenge for the kids.
  14. Day 14: Paper chain. Wrapped the stair rail in a paper chain.
  15. Day 15: Hide and seek. Hiding in the shoe — the clue says “Look where your feet go.”
  16. Day 16: Movie night. Set up popcorn and tickets for a family movie.
  17. Day 17: Ornament swing. Swinging from the Christmas tree on a ribbon.
  18. Day 18: Breakfast surprise. Green pancakes or milk dyed red and green.
  19. Day 19: Elf mail. Brought a letter from Santa.
  20. Day 20: Dance party. Left a Christmas playlist and a “Dance with me!” sign.
  21. Day 21: Joke day. Left a Christmas joke under every cereal bowl.
  22. Day 22: Gift wrap. Wrapped the TV remote like a present.
  23. Day 23: Christmas Eve. Brought Christmas pajamas for everyone.
  24. Day 24: Goodbye. Left a goodbye note: “See you next year!”

Printable elf letters

Elf arrival letter
Hello, I’m here!Santa sent me from the North Poleto help him this Christmas.Every night I fly back to tell himall the kind things you did today.There is just ONE rule:please don’t touch me, or my magicmight disappear! You can talk to me,and tell me your wishes anytime.Let’s have the best December ever!Your Christmas ElfFree elf printables at thinkabara.com
Elf arrival letter (color-in)
Hello, I’m here!Santa sent me from the North Poleto help him this Christmas.Every night I fly back to tell himall the kind things you did today.There is just ONE rule:please don’t touch me, or my magicmight disappear! You can talk to me,and tell me your wishes anytime.Let’s have the best December ever!Your Christmas ElfFree elf printables at thinkabara.com
Elf goodbye letter
Goodbye for now!Tonight I fly home with Santa.I had SO much fun with you —thank you for being kind, sharing,and laughing at all my jokes.I told Santa all about you,and he is very proud.Be good, keep being kind,and I’ll see you next year!Your Christmas ElfFree elf printables at thinkabara.com
Elf report card
Elf Report CardName: ____________________KindnessSharingHelping at homeListeningSaying please & thank youBedtime on timeBeing a good friendColor in the stars! 3 stars = Santa is VERY proud.

Tips for tired parents

Keep a little “elf kit” in a drawer: mini marshmallows, ribbon, sticky notes, a candy cane and toothpicks. Set a phone reminder for 9 p.m. And on busy nights it’s fine for the elf to just “sit and watch” — kids love finding it, wherever it is.

Questions & answers

What is a Christmas elf tradition?

A toy elf “arrives” in December and moves to a new spot each night, reporting to Santa. Kids wake up and search for it. Our printables work with any elf or stuffed toy you already have.

I’m out of ideas — what’s the easiest elf idea?

Put the elf in a bowl of mini marshmallows (“bubble bath”), hang it from the tree, or have it “read” a book to the stuffed animals. All take less than two minutes.

Does the elf have to be mischievous?

No! Many families use the elf for kindness: each morning it leaves a small kind task — make a card, share a toy, help set the table.

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