60 Last-Minute Elf on the Shelf Ideas That Take 5 Minutes or Less

I wanted to be the mom who did Elf on the Shelf. I really did. But I also knew I needed a little flexibility.

So instead of the traditional Elf on the Shelf, we got a Jellycat cat elf named Leffy. Eventually, we added his friend, Eldo. Lots of kids meant lots of sharing! They came with sweet little books, and while I believe they’ve since been discontinued, we’ve been using them loosely in the same way families use Elf on the Shelf.

More recently, we added Missy, a girl elf from Mon Ami. After four boys, our first daughter needed a little pink in her Christmas celebrations, too! And with our second daughter arriving in February, the girls will get to share Missy just like the boys have shared Leffy and Eldo over the years.

Our elves arrive sometime around when we put up the Christmas tree. Usually, my husband and I find them in a box of Christmas decorations and hide them for the kids to discover the next morning or before bed. They might bring a new ornament for the tree, a holiday book, a seasonal treat or something related to Advent. Some years it’s a little more elaborate. Other years, it’s something small.

And unlike the traditional Elf on the Shelf rules, our kids can touch the elves. They play with them, read to them, take them along to look at Christmas lights and even sleep with them.

Which means that most nights, I’m sneaking into bedrooms before I go to bed, carefully prying an elf out of a sleeping child’s hands so I can move it somewhere clever for them to discover the next morning. And sometimes? I forget.

But that’s OK. Our kids know Santa has a lot going on this time of year and doesn’t necessarily need a daily update. Besides, elves need their beauty sleep, too!

One of my favorite parts of our tradition happens on Christmas Eve. We get everyone loaded into the car for church, and before I head out the door, the elves make one final delivery: a gift and Christmas pajamas for each child. When we get home from church, everything is waiting for them to open. It’s become such a fun part of our Christmas Eve routine.

For our family, the tradition is supposed to be fun, not another thing on my already long December to-do list.

So whether you’re the parent who plans elaborate Elf on the Shelf scenes weeks in advance or the one who wakes up in a panic because the elf hasn’t moved in three days, I’ve rounded up 60 easy, last-minute Elf on the Shelf ideas that take five minutes or less.

Most use things you already have around the house, and several require absolutely no setup beyond moving your elf to a new spot.

When Should You Start Elf on the Shelf?

Whenever you want! Some families bring out their elf the day after Thanksgiving. Others wait until December 1, when the Christmas decorations go up or even the week of Christmas.

Maybe your elf arrives the first time you turn on Christmas music for the season. Or maybe it shows up when you pull the Christmas tree out of storage. There’s no reason to feel like you’ve missed your chance if December 1 comes and goes without an elf in sight.

In our house, the elves usually make their appearance whenever we get around to decorating for Christmas. We don’t have a specific date, and that works just fine for us.

Whether your elf visits for 24 days or just a handful of days leading up to Christmas, you can make the tradition work for your family.

Little Surprises Our Elves Have Brought Over the Years

Our elves don’t bring something every day, but throughout December they’ll occasionally show up with a little surprise. Nothing extravagant, just fun seasonal things we probably would have picked up for the kids anyway.

Over the years, our elves have brought:

• Holiday-scented bubble bath
• Christmas bath bombs
• New ornaments for the tree
• Christmas coloring books, crayons and other art supplies
• Advent calendars
• Holiday books
• Christmas stickers
• Cookie decorating supplies, like festive sprinkles or cookie cutters
• Special lunchbox treats, like Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cakes or seasonal candy
• Christmas shirts (usually found second hand or in our hand-me-down box)

Sometimes the elves bring something for everyone to share, like a new Christmas book or supplies to decorate cookies. Other times, it’s a little individual surprise.

I don’t feel like they need to bring gifts every time they show up. Some days it’s a treat, some days it’s an activity and most days they’re just hiding somewhere new.

It’s really just another fun way to sprinkle a little Christmas excitement throughout December without making it a big production.

Easy Elf on the Shelf Hiding Spots

Sometimes all you need is a clever hiding place. No props, no mess and no explanation required.

1. In the Christmas tree. Tuck your elf between the branches, peeking out from behind an ornament.
2. Inside a stocking. Have your elf pop its head out of a Christmas stocking hanging from the mantel.
3. In the refrigerator. Sit your elf on a shelf next to the milk or yogurt. A little chilly, but apparently elves don’t mind.
4. In a shoe. Place your elf inside one of your child’s shoes by the front door.
5. On the bookshelf. Tuck your elf between a few books, preferably the Christmas ones.
6. Inside a cereal box. Open the top of a cereal box and have your elf peek out at breakfast.
7. In the bathroom. Sit your elf on the bathroom counter with a toothbrush nearby.
8. In the car. Buckle your elf into an empty seat or have it waiting in a cup holder before school. The kids love this one because they spend all morning looking for the elves only for them to be waiting in the car!
9. In the laundry basket. Nestle your elf among a pile of clean clothes. Maybe it’ll even inspire someone to put them away.
10. Hanging from a doorknob. Position your elf so the kids spot it as soon as they open their bedroom door.
11. Peeking out of a cupboard. Leave a kitchen cupboard door slightly open with your elf peeking out. Bonus points if it’s the cupboard your kids open every morning.
12. Sitting on a stack of plates. Have your elf waiting on top of the plates in the kitchen cupboard. Just make sure it’s somewhere the kids can spot before anyone starts unloading dishes!
13. Hiding in a backpack. Tuck your elf into the top of a school backpack with its head sticking out. Just don’t forget to rescue it before your child leaves for school!
14. Inside a lunch box. Have your elf peeking out of an empty lunch box when the kids get ready for school. Another fun surprise that takes about 10 seconds to set up.
15. Riding in a toy stroller. Buckle your elf into a doll stroller, wagon or toy car. Maybe it needed a ride after a long night!
16. Peeking out of the Christmas wreath. Tuck your elf into a wreath hanging on an interior door or wall, with just its head and arms showing.
17. Playing in the pantry. Sit your elf on a shelf surrounded by snacks, or have it holding a favorite treat.

Funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas

These are especially fun for kids who appreciate a little silliness.

18. Toilet paper hammock. Stretch a small piece of toilet paper between two sturdy objects and let your elf lounge in it. You might need a few layers to be strong enough. Feel free to use other items like scarves!
19. Marshmallow bath. Put your elf in a mug or small bowl filled with mini marshmallows. Pair it with some packets of hot cocoa and you have yourself an easy, festive experience.
20. Caught eating cookies. Sit your elf beside a plate of cookies with a few crumbs scattered around.
21. Silly faces on bananas. Use a washable marker to draw funny faces on banana peels and leave your elf holding the marker. Then eat them for breakfast or pack for school lunch!
22. Playing video games. Sit your elf in front of the television with a game controller.
23. Movie night. Position your elf on the couch with a tiny bowl of popcorn and the remote. I bet your kids wondered how they passed the time at night!
24. Wrapped in toilet paper. Wrap a little toilet paper around your elf like a mummy.
25. Taking a selfie. Prop your elf next to a phone or toy camera as though it’s posing for a picture.
26. Hiding in a snack bag. Have your elf peek out of an empty chip or pretzel bag.
27. Wearing doll clothes. Borrow an outfit from a doll or stuffed animal and give your elf a quick wardrobe change.
28. Having a snowball fight. Scatter a few cotton balls around your elf and position a stuffed animal across from it with its own pile of “snowballs.”
29. Whoops! We Just Couldn’t Wait! Have your elves sitting around a partially unwrapped gift with wrapping paper and ribbon scattered around them. Leave a note that says, “Whoops! We just couldn’t wait!” Use something you were already planning to give the kids, like a Christmas book, holiday bubble bath, coloring supplies or a special treat.
30. Caught in the cookie jar. Position your elf peeking out of an empty cookie jar or sitting beside it with a cookie in its lap.
31. Playing dress-up. Put a doll hat, scarf or pair of toy sunglasses on your elf and leave it in front of a mirror.
32. Making a mess with the wrapping paper. Sit your elf among a few scraps of wrapping paper, tape and ribbon as though it tried to wrap a present.

Elf on the Shelf Ideas Using Things You Already Have

No special shopping trip required. Most of these can be put together with toys, books and other things already around the house.

33. Reading to stuffed animals. Arrange a few stuffed animals around your elf and prop open a Christmas book.
34. Building with LEGO. Sit your elf beside a small LEGO creation or a pile of bricks.
35. Playing Go Fish. Sit your elves around a small table with a few playing cards spread out. Give each one a hand of cards as though they’re in the middle of a game.
36. Doing a puzzle. Place your elf next to a partially completed puzzle.
37. Coloring a picture. Leave your elf with crayons and a Christmas coloring page.
38. Making a paper snowflake. Set your elf beside a folded paper snowflake and child-safe scissors.
39. Playing with toy cars. Sit your elf in a toy car or surround it with Hot Wheels.
40. Having a tea party. Arrange a few toy cups, stuffed animals and your elves around a pretend tea party.
41. Playing hide-and-seek. Hide two elves together and place the third somewhere nearby, looking for them. The kids have to find all three!
42. Sleeping in a tissue box. Use an empty tissue box as a bed and tuck your elf under a washcloth blanket.
43. Having an elf sleepover. Tuck your elves together into a doll bed, shoebox or pile of blankets. Maybe they stayed up too late talking!
44. Playing a board game. Set up Candy Land, Trouble or another favorite game and position the elves around the board.
45. Riding together. Pile your elves into a toy wagon, doll stroller or larger toy truck and park them somewhere unexpected.
46. Playing school. Sit one elf in front of a small chalkboard or piece of paper with the others lined up as students. A few crayons make perfect school supplies.

Sweet and Simple Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Not every elf visit has to involve mischief. Sometimes a little holiday fun is enough.

47. Delivering a Christmas book. Have your elf waiting beside a favorite Christmas story to read together.
48. Bringing hot cocoa. Set your elf next to a few hot chocolate packets and marshmallows.
49. Leaving a kind note. Have your elf leave a quick message like “I love how you helped your brother yesterday!”
50. Bringing a new ornament. Place your elf beside a small ornament for the Christmas tree.
51. Suggesting a Christmas lights drive. Leave a note from your elf inviting everyone to put on pajamas and go look at Christmas lights.
52. Starting a family movie night. Have your elf deliver a bag of popcorn or a favorite Christmas movie.
53. Encouraging a good deed. Leave a simple note suggesting the kids make a card for someone or help a neighbor.
54. Delivering an Advent activity. Set your elf next to the day’s Advent calendar or a simple family activity.
55. Bringing Christmas pajamas. Have your elf sitting on a folded pair of holiday pajamas.
56. Taking a day off. Leave your elf exactly where it was yesterday with a note: “Even elves need their beauty sleep!”
57. Leaving a Christmas joke. Write a silly holiday joke on a piece of paper and leave it beside your elf. Even better if it’s one the kids can share at school.
58. Delivering a candy cane. Have your elf holding a candy cane for each child, or leave a few hanging from the Christmas tree for the kids to find.
59. Bringing Christmas stickers. Have your elf sitting beside a sheet of holiday stickers and a few pieces of paper for the kids to decorate.
60. Planning a cookie decorating day. Leave your elf beside a container of Christmas sprinkles, cookie cutters or a tube of icing with a note suggesting it’s time to decorate cookies.

What to Do When You Forget to Move the Elf on the Shelf

First, don’t panic. It’s supposed to be fun!

There are plenty of perfectly good explanations for why your elf stayed in the same place overnight.

• Santa didn’t need a report. Not every day requires a trip back to the North Pole.
• Your elf was tired. All that Christmas magic requires a good night’s sleep.
• Your elf loved that spot. Maybe the view from the bookshelf was just too good to leave.
• Your elf was watching something important. Perhaps it was enjoying the Christmas tree or keeping an eye on the cookies.
• Your elf took the night off. Even North Pole employees deserve a break.

Or you can simply say nothing. Kids don’t always notice when an elf hasn’t moved, and there’s no reason to draw attention to it if they haven’t!

Do You Have to Follow All the Elf on the Shelf Rules?

Absolutely not.

Some families follow the traditional Elf on the Shelf story, where the elf visits each night and children aren’t supposed to touch it. Others create their own traditions.

In our house, Leffy, Eldo and Missy are part of the family Christmas fun. The kids carry them around, cuddle them, take them on outings and look forward to finding them somewhere new.

And I LOVE seeing the elaborate Elf on the Shelf ideas other parents come up with. Some of them are absolutely hilarious, and the creativity is incredible. If you have the time and enjoy putting together those big setups, more power to you!

I just know myself. I don’t have the time (or creativity!) to come up with something elaborate every night. And honestly, I’m afraid if I start that expectation, I’ll have a hard time keeping it up. What starts as one really fun idea could quickly turn into 24 nights of trying to outdo myself.

So we keep things simple. Some nights our elves do something funny. Other nights they just move to a new spot. And sometimes they don’t move at all.

I especially love our Christmas Eve tradition. While everyone’s getting settled in the car for church, I make one last trip inside to set out the gifts and Christmas pajamas from the elves. When we get home, the kids have something special waiting for them, and we can settle in for the evening together.

The fun of the tradition isn’t necessarily how elaborate the setup is. For our kids, it’s finding their elves tucked into the Christmas tree, riding in a toy car or waiting with a new holiday book.

And if the elves stay in the same spot for two nights? Well, Santa’s busy. And elves need their beauty sleep, too.