An Elf On The Shelf Makeover

So this year it’s already started, as it does every year, the Elf On The Shelf craze. These little guys went from a story book and doll to having accessories, their own Pinterest boards, and a home in what seems like every other house but ours. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy seeing the mischief these little guys get into while kids are sleeping and have laughed many laughs over the ideas and creativity. I’ve even tried to talk myself into getting an Elf once or twice. But we don’t have elves on the shelves in our house.

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So how could we have fun with an Elf on the Shelf in our house without using it how the story suggests?
How can I give this Elf On The Shelf thing more of a true Christmas Spirit?**
I’m thinking out loud here and just decided this year, we’re going to have Christmas Fairies, Kindness Friends, or maybe Giving Elves in our house. I don’t know yet what they’ll be called, but they will be a similar idea to the Elf On The Shelf. They will be cute little dolls maybe (ornament sized to bigger) or maybe the kids will help make them. Our guests will be multiple and will always be moving around, getting into super silly spots to catch our attention and remind us to Give, Love, Be Kind and Celebrate this Christmas. One guest may stand out on the window sill right in front of where mom always looks holding a little sign that says “Bobby helped Sissy with her shoes this morning”. One may be found upside down in a pile of toys , hinting at picking them up. I am picturing one hanging right over my son’s bed so the first thing he sees in the morning is his elf, fairy, friend, dangling right in from of him asking “Let’s pick out some toys to donate today”. I see another swimming in a bowl of little notes with all kinds of ideas (and Bible verses??) for giving, helping and loving activities or things to do. I’ll add in a few super silly things so you never know what you will pull out of the bowl.

My mind is off and running…….help me out! What are some other ideas to turn the focus of this holiday tradition? Add your thoughts or even better, invite An Elf On The Shelf Makeover into your house, share your photos and ideas with us. We’ll post them on Parenting In Northern Kentucky’s Facebook page!

Send Us Your Ideas & Photos!

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**I have never been a big fan of Elf on the Shelf (although creative and very entertaining) or Santa to mold my children’s behaviors. If your family enjoys the tradition of Elf on the Shelf, please do not be offended that our family does not (and please carry on, I love the pics!) For us, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus. While we do Santa, cookies, lights, and all that goes along with it, we try to down play the Santa as much as possible. My children do not ask for gifts. I have never asked my children what they wanted for Christmas or had them write a letter to Santa. Christmas is not for getting, it’s for giving. My questions are more “What do you think we could make to give to ‘so and so’ this year?”, etc. My son has asked a couple of times “Does Santa exist?” or “Santa comes down the chimney, right?”. My answers are “what do you think?” and “That’s what the stories say.” We do not want to take the fun out of Christmas, just try our best to keep the focus on what the holiday truly is; our Saviour’s birthday.