Forgotten to move your Elf on the Shelf and need to find him a new position – quickly! – before the kids get up? We’ve got you…
It’s one of the most stressful Christmas moments for parents everywhere: the sudden, panicked realisation that you’ve forgotten to move your Elf on the Shelf. Coupled with the sound of your child getting up … aagh.
Stress no more.
We’ve been there, done that (many times!) and have mostly managed to pull it out of the bag in time.
To help you sail through those Elf-tastrophe moments, we’ve compiled 7 Elf on the Shelf ideas that can be done in 60 seconds or less.
And if you’ve run out of time, we’ve also got tips on how to explain why your child’s Elf hasn’t moved.
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1. Clingfilm Nintendo Switch
What you need:
- Nintendo Switch (or anything you don’t want kids using that day!)
- Clingfilm
This quick Elf on the Shelf position can be done in less than a minute ... and gives your kids a device-free day. Win, win!
Grab the Switch and wrap it as quickly as you can in clingfilm. Then sit the Elf next to it with the clingfilm roll under his arm. Your kids might not be overly impressed but this is a definite parent-pleaser!
2. Toilet roll Elf
What you need:
- Toilet roll
It doesn’t matter what you do with the toilet roll, your child will find it VERY funny seeing it flung around the room by their Elf.
It only takes a few seconds to wind the paper around your Elf, or unroll it down the stairs. Just make sure your Elf is holding one end so it looks like he's behind the mischief.
3. Elf and the magic eggs
What you need:
- An egg
- A bowl
- Sprinkles
- Kinder Egg
This is a genius 2-for-1 Elf move.
Sit your Elf on the kitchen worktop and put an egg in a bowl in front of him. Next to that, add a pack of sprinkles. You can either write a note (if you have time) or tell your child that the Elf gave you special instructions to pass on...
The Elf has set them a magic test. Your child has to pour sprinkles on the egg and, if they pass, something incredible will happen overnight.
The next morning, simply swap out the real egg for a Kinder Egg.
No need to move your Elf at all. Now that is magic.
4. Christmas pants Elf
What you need:
- Christmas tree
- Underwear (ideally clean!)
This is a guaranteed crowd pleaser and is one of the quickest Elf on the Shelf positions to do.
Grab a selection of pants and throw them on your Christmas tree. Then pop your Elf on one of the branches.
It's really effective and an Elf on the Shelf trick your kids will find very funny.
5. Prime Elf
What you need:
- Empty bottle of Prime
This quick and easy position will earn your Elf extra kudos with the kids!
If your child has empty Prime bottles in their room, wait for them to start hunting for the Elf in the rest of your home.
Then, run in, grab one of the bottles and lie it down next to your Elf. When they eventually find him, they'll be very impressed.
6. Snow angel Elf
What you’ll need:
- Flour
Tip flour on your worktop and lie your Elf down in the middle of it. Then do ‘snow angel’ movements to make it look like he’s been playing in the ‘snow’.
Just remember to wipe your hands clean before the kids come in!
7. Cereal Elf
What you need:
- Cereal
- A bowl
Kids having cereal for breakfast? A quick way to position your Elf in a hurry is by adding him to their bowl. Pour cheerios over him (other cereal is available), and he's ready for them to find.
Top tip: you'll need a separate bowl for your child to actually eat out of. You don’t want milk on your Elf!
What if you forget to move Elf on the Shelf?
Not got time at all to move your Elf on the Shelf? Don’t panic. There are a few reasons you can give your child as to why their Elf is still in the same spot.
He liked his position so much ... he didn't want to move
He heard someone getting up ... and didn't want to be spotted moving around
You were a bit naughty yesterday ... so Elf didn't fly back to the North Pole yet (he wanted to give you a chance to be good)
He's probably saving his magic ... for something EXTRA special tomorrow.
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