"It's been a year!", "Can we just hit the reset button?", "I'm so over 2020!", "Wear a damn mask!!!" If you haven't said one of those things in the past 9 months, well kudos for all that sparkly joy radiating from your existence, and you should probably start a podcast on silver linings. But in all seriousness, it has been such a rollercoaster of stress physically, emotionally, and mentally for the majority of 2020. So many of us are looking for anything joyful to grasp on to and ride like Jasmine and Aladdin, and currently Christmas seems to be that magic carpet for a lot of us. Even still, Christmas brings its own share of stress, chaos, and unnecessary nonsense, i.e. The Elf on the Shelf. I personally love the creepy, cute, little things, and we have 3 that bring extra holiday magic in to our home; Snow, Sprinkle, and Cocoa. However, I am not sharing all of this information just to ramble on about this colorful season, I'm actually bringing you some FREE holiday cheer, Elf style, to take one thing off your growing to-do list this season! Below is my 25 Day Elf on the Shelf activities+4 BONUS activities in case your Elf comes on Black Friday. Every year I write out my ideas in advance so there is no, "Oh Shit!", moments at 11pm or 4am, depending on when your stress hits you as you sleep, plus it gives me time to buy any small goodies I need before the season gets really busy. I use the weekends to add some fun holiday activities such as scavenger hunts, movie nights, and baking, to give us opportunities to make memories as a family. I'm also adding all my printables to the site, including a "You've Been Naughty" note. I hope this list is helpful to a few busy parents out there that love the idea of magic, but don't love the added stress.
1-We're Back Letter (printable)
2-Write Letters to Santa (sit elves with paper and writing tools)
3-TP somewhere in the house
4-Make Christmas Cards to Send to Family (sit elves with blank cards/cardstock and coloring items)
5-Scavenger Hunt (printable)
6-Let's Make Pancakes
7-Parade of Cars/Dolls/Toys
8-Sledding (popsicle sticks or Candy Canes)
9-Camp Fire (printable+toothpicks)
10-Building LEGOs/Blocks
11-Bring Christmas PJs/Shirt
12-Movie+Popcorn
13-Snowball Fight (cotton balls)
14-Candy Cane Hearts
15-Brought You a Snowman
16-Grinch Trapped Us in a Glass
17-Super Heroes (printable)
18-Rock Climbing with Candy or Bows
19-Bake Cookies
20-Craft
21-Reading Christmas Books
22-Let's Build a Gingerbread House
23-Selfies on Phone or Print Out
24-Baking Cookies for Santa and Reindeer
25-See You Next Year Note (printable)
BONUS
Let's Make Paper Garland (need Construction Paper)
Fishing (need pencil/long stick, string, Goldfish or Swedish Fish)
Snow Angels in Flour
Peek-A-Boo (stuck inside TP rolls)