The 2026’s Mum’s Guide To Elf On The Shelf Ideas

Christmas


It’s time to welcome the Elves back on December 1st. Are we ready?  Probably not, but I wanted to write The Mum’s Guide to Elf On The Shelf Ideas for those quick and easy set ups.

Meet Zippy & Trixie the naughty little elves that have visited us for a quite a few years now. They keep us entertained with their antics in December.

First of all…..Join the waitlist for my 2026 Christmas Portrait Sessions in Surrey and be the first to secure your spot before they sell out HERE.

photographer surrey zoe

Zippy & Trixie aren’t those Pinterest-fancy kind of elves. They are the laid back kind of elves which is perfect. So we don’t usually have to clear up too much mess from their naughtiness in the morning.

Christmas will come around quick now firework night is over! If you’re looking for creative ways to make each morning fun, these Elf on the Shelf ideas will make your children laugh. As a family photographer in Surrey, I know how special these years are, and moments like these are perfect to keep forever.

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These photos are the ones that our Elves have got up to over the years. Enjoy!


1. The Welcome!
Write a welcome note to your child/children and tell them to find them every morning. This was our one.

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

2. Elf Movie Night
Set up a little spot on the sofa with a popcorn box, a cosy blanket, and a few of your Elf’s toy friends.

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

3. Nose Rejection Area
Grate half a carrot and leave next to the grater. Add a note saying “Nose Rejection Area”

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

3. Elf’s Cosy Reading Corner
Create a reading nook for your Elf with books. If your little ones love story-time, this is a cute way to encourage them to join the Elf for some cosy reading moments.

4. Croc-Infested Water
Put the Elves on the side of the bath and put your family’s crocs in the bath with some water and a note saying “Croc-Infested water!”

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

5. Countdown to Christmas
Give your Elf a countdown on an A4 piece of paper and stick it on the fridge. It will help your children keep track of the days until Christmas.

6. Shiny Shoes
Cover your child’s shoes in tin foil and leave a note next to them saying “we’ve shined your shoes”

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

7. Elf Movie Night
Set up a little movie scene with a popcorn box, a cosy blanket, and a few of your Elf’s toy friends.

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

8. Toothpaste Prank Elf
Children will love finding their Elf left a “message” on the bathroom mirror with toothpaste, like a smiley face or “Happy Christmas!”

9. Elf Toilet
Add some chocolate spread to a glass or mug and also some orange squash or juice. Sit your elf on top with a sign saying “Elf Toilet.”

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

10. Elf Snuggle
Snuggle your Elf up with other toys or baby elves (ours magically came from Amazon), and add a note saying “we’re so tired, help us look after the babies”

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

11. Roller Coaster Ride
Set your elf up in the washing machine….going on a roller coaster ride!

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

12. Booby Trap
Put your Elf in the Christmas tree in a bra with a note saying “We are in a booby trap.”

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

13. Games Night
Set up your elf with some playing cards and coins for some night time gaming.

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

14. Nose Rejection Area
Grate half a carrot and leave next to the grater. Add a note saying “Nose Rejection Area”

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

15. Naughty Cereal Words
Spell out some words with cereal on the kitchen table. We chose some naughty ones!

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

16. Walking On The Ceiling
Stick their feet to the ceiling with soft tape mind the paint. They are now magically walking on the ceiling.

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

17. Toilet Roll Decoration
Cover your tree in a whole toilet roll as decorations and hide the elves in the tree too.

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

18. Elf Angels
Sprinkle flour on your kitchen top and place your elf on their back and make “elf angels”

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

19. Just Chillin’
Sit your elf on a shelf in the fridge with a note saying “Just chillin”

family photographer in surrey ideas for elf on the shelf

20. Elf Train
Line lots of your shoes up in a long train line. Put your elf at the front with a sign saying “All aboard the elf train”

21. Marshmallow Fight
Surround your elf with mini marshmallows like snowballs like he/she has had a snowball fight.

22. Zipline Adventure
Create a zipline using string across the room or hallway and hang your Elf on the wire coming down.

23.Toilet Roll Sledding
Roll out some toilet paper going down the stairs and put your elf on it like they are sledging down.

23.Good Bye Note
Write or print a note out saying goodbye as the Elves are all going back with Father Christmas tonight when he delivers the presents.

Give me a follow on Instagram & stay a while : HERE

 


If you are getting an elf for the first time this year, just go simple first of all. Your children will be amazed at what ever they wake up to. You can get one magically from AMAZON.

DON’T FORGET: Set your alarm to move the elf before you go to bed!

I hope this blog The Mum’s Guide to Elf On The Shelf Ideas helps you create family fun this Christmas.

Family Photography your thing?

family photographer surrey

View the Family Photography page: HERE

Lots of love

Zoe xxx

photographer surrey

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