My brothers put Jimmy out early this year (since it is our first year) and we have had so much fun with him already! I made a list of ideas to do throughout the next few weeks. They do not cost much and it is fun to see my brothers reactions!
Our story for Jimmy is that Santa made him special for our family. He also has a sister named Trixie that is still at the North Pole (She will appear closer to December since the elves are $30...). We got a special elf because ours goes to the North Pole to deliver our letters and pictures to Santa every night. Then, he returns and starts playing until someone wakes up- then he freezes where he. He also likes to move around during the day if noone is home - unless the boys are not behaving. Jimmy likes to play Mario Kart and dresses up like he is in a movie. It is fun to wake up to Jimmy reenacting Mission Impossible! Here is a few things you can do with your Elf on the Shelf...
1.) Give your elf a personality... Jimmy has a personality and as time goes on we learn more and more about what Jimmy likes to do. (Santa said Jimmy likes Mario Kart). Asking Santa what your elf likes to do is a good way to find out more about his little helper! Or you can leave him doing things that hint towards what he likes
Here is a few ideas - drawing, cooking, drinking coffee, dressing up, eating candy, swinging, bouncing in a slinky, holding baby Jesus, fishing in the fish tank, riding a horse, riding a boat, playing pirate, watching tv, playing board games, playing DS games, riding in a car, holding a balloon and eating cotton candy, playing ninja, skiing on popsicle sticks, sleeping... and so many more!!!
2.) Treats - If you have well behaved children then maybe you can reward them by moving Elfie during the day ( If you can) before the kids get home. Or if you are unable to do that then maybe in the mornings you can leave a candy cane from the elf or Santa. Just an extra treat to say thank you for being a great kid!
3.) Get a mail box - I got a mini Christmas mailbox from Walmart for only $2. My brothers were excited because now they can leave their notes/pictures and raise the flag up so Jimmy will know to take them. They check the mailbox every morning to see if Santa sent a letter.
Our mailbox is over the fireplace where our stockings hang every year - Jimmy will also being trading stockings for underwear... they will think that is so funny!
4.) Elf names - We asked Santa what our names would be if we were elves. Brayden's name is Tinsel, Brennan's is Figgy and Mine is Winter. Of course I am the one writing the letters to the boys but it is still fun to hear them read theirs to me every morning.
5.)Write elves letters - We write Santa every night, Brayden has asked him all kinds of questions, I thought it was be fun to write to an elf. "Santa" gave each of us an elf to write to. Brayden writes the head elf - Pepper Minstix ( I love this name!!). Brennan asked for the clumsiet elf, his name is Jingle. I asked for the most artistic elf so I got snowflake. I just looked at a list online because I was falling asleep while writing the letters. Later on I am going to leave mini presents for everyone (including my mom and stepdad) from their elf. Brayden will get a giant candy cane, Brennan will get a jingle bell.. which is a horrible idea, I will recieve mini pencils for drawing... I am still working on my mom's and stepdad's present ideas...
5.) Make reindeer and elf food - for reindeer food we just use oatmeal and red & white glitter. We also have reindeer confetti that I like to add to the bags. Elf food is really just marshmallows but you can add some glitter or peppermints if you like.
6.) Remember the true meaning of Christmas - It is fun to write Santa letters but I do not want my brothers forgetting the true meaning of Christmas. Brennan, the seven year old, is all about getting presents so
We explained that Jesus recieved presents on the day he was born and since he is unable to give presents (because he is busy performing miracles and watching over everyone) Santa is the one that makes sure the children has presents and to always thank Jesus for every present they recieve. There are a few more details but it is hard to explain while typing.. but we made sure that Jesus remains #1. 7.) Elf traveling - We pulled out the rule book with Jimmy when we came home with him so that we make sure that Jimmy is not harmed and that he is not moved or lost, so we can continue the tradition and have fun. I told them that I am the only one who can touch and move Jimmy because Santa chose me. It is bending the rules a bit but I wanted it to be fun.
I think that your elf should be able to go with you every now and then. Why not take him to the Christmas parade? That way he can keep an eye on you while you are out and about. You can take a few pictures of his first trip and send them to Santa. BUT make sure you make it clear that when you return home he must be placed in the same spot he was before you left.
8.) Dress up - I am a big fan of dressing up dolls, especially if it is in Disney Princess atire... I feel that it gives your elf more of a personality if he is dressed up. I bought Ken doll clothes from Walmart and that night Brayden asked Santa if Jimmy could have a sweater, pants and shoes so he wouldn't just be wearing the same thing every day. It was amazing actually, I did not say one word about clothes for him... what a weird coincidence! So, when the boys woke up the next morning Jimmy was fully clothes while on his mini tire swing! When Trixie visits maybe she'll be wearing a Diney Princess dress... depending on Santa's budget of course.
9.) Have fun! - There are so many fun things you can do with your elf, use your imagination and be silly! I will be posting more of my ideas on here as the days go on. The items I use come from the dollar section at Target, holiday stuff at Walmart or from the dollar store. You can also use many objects around your house. Jimmy saw me playing with my slinky the other day and when we came home he was found bouncing in it. He has also gotten into my expo markers and drew on our mirrors. He is silly but very fun, even if your kids no longer believe in Santa or the elves, they will enjoy waking up and seeing where the elf is. Jimmy's shower time
Bra swinging ( I did this to make my mom laugh... it was her bra)
Jimmy hiding with a mini bag of marshmallows
Bring in a new elf...
When they are super behaved, Santa and Jimmy leave them small treats. They have gotten Mario Kart note pads ( On sell at Target for $1.50), candy cane pens and the three of us got Grinch cups! :)
Last week, I made the mistake of getting overly excited and "Santa" wrote the boys saying Jimmy had a sister named Trixie. Well.... I am just not wanting to pay $30- $35 for another elf so I decided to just look for a little elf. I just wanted Trixie to make an appearence every now and then so I wouldn't have to worry about moving 2 elves every night. There is a nice little antique shop a few minutes from my house so I just looked there. Since it's close to Christmas they had decorated and gotten tons of Christmas merchandise out.
I walked in and immediately found a small bowl of 5 littles elves, how lucky! They were old/vintage elf on the shelves. There was 3 really small ones, a bigger green one and a big one in red. They were all pretty old and honestly kind of ugly (sorry Santa...) but the biggest one stuck out to me. He was actually kind of cute! So after walking around I couldn't help but go back and buy him. The first name I thought of when I saw him was "Bernard" so I suppose that's what his name will be... Bernard was only $8.
So, of course the big question is - What about Trixie? Well, Bernard will be making a guest appearence tomorrow with a note saying Trixie has taken his place as the elf in charge of the hot cocoa at the N.P.because he is too old now, so Trixie asked him to visit us. Hahaa... I know, I may be taking this too far...
Bernard
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