ELF ON THE SHELF IDEAS

Five seconds and nothing to buy. For the nights you remember at 11 p.m.

• Peeking from the treeThe elf peeks out between the ornaments on the Christmas tree.
• Chilling in the fridgeThe elf sits on a fridge shelf with an arm around the milk.
• Stocking peekThe elf pokes their head out of somebody's stocking.
• Story timeThe elf sits on the bookshelf with a holiday book open on their lap.
• Fan rideThe elf rides a blade of the ceiling fan. Keep the fan switched off.
• Cereal box surpriseThe elf hides inside a cereal box with only their head poking out.
• Houseplant hideoutThe elf hides among the leaves of a houseplant.
• Sneaker napThe elf naps inside a sneaker by the front door.
• Remote control hogThe elf holds the TV remote with a Christmas movie queued up.
• Window watchThe elf presses their face to the window, looking out for snow.
• Upside downThe elf hangs upside down from a curtain rod.
• Napkin blanketThe elf sleeps on a sofa cushion tucked under a napkin blanket.
• Mug hot tubThe elf lounges in an empty coffee mug like it is a hot tub.
• Dish rack loungeThe elf stretches out in the dish rack as if it is a hammock.
• Ready for schoolThe elf sits buckled into the car or perched on a backpack, ready for drop-off.
• Board game nightThe elf sets up a board game and waits for the family to play.
• Door handle swingThe elf hangs from a door handle by one arm.
• Sock drawerThe elf pokes out of the sock drawer.
• Bath buddyThe elf sits in the empty bathtub next to the rubber duck.
• Hood rideThe elf rides in the hood of a coat hanging by the door.
• Cookie jarThe elf sits in the cookie jar with crumbs on their face.

21 ideas · 4.8% chance each when spun alone

Small, harmless mischief the kids will want to tell everyone about.

• Marshmallow bathThe elf soaks in a bowl of mini marshmallows with a toothbrush.
• Toilet paper tinselThe elf decorates the tree with toilet paper streamers.
• Mustache makeoverThe elf draws mustaches on the glass of family photos with a dry-erase marker.
• Candy cane ziplineThe elf zips across the room on a string, holding a candy cane handle.
• Flour snow angelThe elf makes a snow angel in a patch of flour on the counter.
• Gone fishingThe elf fishes in the toilet with a candy cane rod and gummy fish.
• Underwear ornamentsThe elf hangs everyone's underwear on the tree as ornaments.
• Toy partyThe elf throws a party for the toys, and they are all wearing paper party hats.
• Captured by toysThe toys have tied the elf up with ribbon and left a sign: "The elf tickled us."
• Cookie crime sceneThe elf is caught next to an empty plate with crumbs everywhere.
• Sticky note doorThe elf covers a bedroom door in sticky notes, each with a silly joke.
• Googly eyesThe elf sticks googly eyes on the fruit, the jars and the fridge.
• Blanket fortThe elf builds a blanket fort and hides inside with a flashlight.
• Selfie spreeThe elf takes a dozen selfies on the family tablet.
• Tangled in lightsThe elf is wrapped up in a string of unplugged Christmas lights.
• Banana facesThe elf draws funny faces on the bananas in the fruit bowl.
• Toy car raceThe elf lines up big toy cars for a race with a tape finish line.
• Sock snowball fightThe elf has a snowball fight with rolled-up socks and the stuffed animals.
• Dog sledThe elf rides the dog's bed or a pet toy like a sled.
• Copycat poseThe elf copies the pose from a family photo and sits right next to it.
• Snack heistThe elf is caught raiding the pantry with a flashlight.
• Spaghetti iciclesThe elf hangs dry spaghetti from a shelf like icicles.

22 ideas · 4.5% chance each when spun alone

The elf asks the family to do something nice for someone else.

• Toy donationThe elf asks the kids to choose a toy to give to a child who needs one.
• Thank-you cardsThe elf leaves paper and crayons to make thank-you cards for teachers or the mail carrier.
• Three kind thingsThe elf leaves a card: "Do three kind things today and tell me tonight."
• Food drive bagThe elf leaves an empty bag and asks the family to fill it for the food bank.
• Cookies for neighborsThe elf leaves baking supplies with a note to share a batch with a neighbor.
• Bird feederThe elf leaves a pinecone, peanut-free spread and birdseed to make a bird feeder.
• Compliment jarThe elf starts a jar of kind notes about each person in the family.
• Call grandmaThe elf asks the kids to call or video chat a grandparent today.
• Pet presentThe elf leaves a new toy or treat for the family pet.
• Pictures to shareThe elf leaves crayons and paper to draw pictures for a care home.
• Giving jarThe elf starts a family giving jar for a charity the kids choose.
• Tidy-up raceThe elf challenges everyone to tidy one room before breakfast.
• Mail carrier thanksThe elf leaves a thank-you note and a wrapped snack for the mail carrier.
• Hug couponsThe elf leaves homemade coupons for hugs and helping hands.
• Secret helperThe elf asks each child to do one chore for someone else without being asked.

15 ideas · 6.7% chance each when spun alone

Ways for the elf to show up on the first night.

• Cocoa welcomeThe elf sits in an empty mug next to a packet of cocoa mix and a note that says "Cocoa is on me."
• Letter from SantaThe elf arrives holding a letter from Santa that explains the elf rules: look, but never touch.
• Parachute landingThe elf dangles from a light fixture under a parachute made from a paper napkin and string.
• Balloon rideThe elf floats in on a paper cup basket tied to a bunch of helium balloons.
• Snowy boot printsThe elf stands in a dusting of flour "snow" with tiny boot prints leading in from the window.
• North Pole breakfastThe elf arrives with a breakfast surprise: donuts with sprinkles or pancakes shaped like snowmen.
• All aboardThe elf rides in on a toy train or dump truck carrying a "Back for the season!" sign.
• Passport and suitcaseThe elf brings a little suitcase and a paper passport stamped North Pole.
• Welcome bannerThe elf hangs a hand-lettered "I'm back!" banner across a bedroom door.

9 ideas · 11.1% chance each when spun alone

A send-off for Christmas Eve, or whenever the elf heads home.

• Goodbye letterThe elf leaves a farewell letter listing their favorite moments of the season.
• Bags packedThe elf waits by the window with a packed bag and a sign: "Santa is picking me up tonight."
• Christmas Eve pajamasThe elf leaves new pajamas wrapped up with a tag for each child.
• Season photo albumThe elf leaves printed photos of their best spots with funny captions.
• Reindeer foodThe elf leaves a bag of oats to scatter outside for the reindeer. Skip the glitter: it hurts wildlife.
• One more sleepThe elf sits beside a sign: "One more sleep! See you next year."
• Sleigh bell keepsakeThe elf leaves a small jingle bell "from the sleigh" to keep until next year.

7 ideas · 14.3% chance each when spun alone

No small loose pieces, nothing hot, sharp or breakable, and nothing a little one could swallow. These also appear in the lists above.

• Cocoa welcomeThe elf sits in an empty mug next to a packet of cocoa mix and a note that says "Cocoa is on me."
• Letter from SantaThe elf arrives holding a letter from Santa that explains the elf rules: look, but never touch.
• Parachute landingThe elf dangles from a light fixture under a parachute made from a paper napkin and string.
• All aboardThe elf rides in on a toy train or dump truck carrying a "Back for the season!" sign.
• Passport and suitcaseThe elf brings a little suitcase and a paper passport stamped North Pole.
• Welcome bannerThe elf hangs a hand-lettered "I'm back!" banner across a bedroom door.
• Peeking from the treeThe elf peeks out between the ornaments on the Christmas tree.
• Chilling in the fridgeThe elf sits on a fridge shelf with an arm around the milk.
• Stocking peekThe elf pokes their head out of somebody's stocking.
• Story timeThe elf sits on the bookshelf with a holiday book open on their lap.
• Fan rideThe elf rides a blade of the ceiling fan. Keep the fan switched off.
• Cereal box surpriseThe elf hides inside a cereal box with only their head poking out.
• Houseplant hideoutThe elf hides among the leaves of a houseplant.
• Sneaker napThe elf naps inside a sneaker by the front door.
• Remote control hogThe elf holds the TV remote with a Christmas movie queued up.
• Window watchThe elf presses their face to the window, looking out for snow.
• Upside downThe elf hangs upside down from a curtain rod.
• Napkin blanketThe elf sleeps on a sofa cushion tucked under a napkin blanket.
• Mug hot tubThe elf lounges in an empty coffee mug like it is a hot tub.
• Dish rack loungeThe elf stretches out in the dish rack as if it is a hammock.
• Ready for schoolThe elf sits buckled into the car or perched on a backpack, ready for drop-off.
• Door handle swingThe elf hangs from a door handle by one arm.
• Sock drawerThe elf pokes out of the sock drawer.
• Bath buddyThe elf sits in the empty bathtub next to the rubber duck.
• Hood rideThe elf rides in the hood of a coat hanging by the door.
• Cookie jarThe elf sits in the cookie jar with crumbs on their face.
• Toilet paper tinselThe elf decorates the tree with toilet paper streamers.
• Underwear ornamentsThe elf hangs everyone's underwear on the tree as ornaments.
• Toy partyThe elf throws a party for the toys, and they are all wearing paper party hats.
• Cookie crime sceneThe elf is caught next to an empty plate with crumbs everywhere.
• Sticky note doorThe elf covers a bedroom door in sticky notes, each with a silly joke.
• Blanket fortThe elf builds a blanket fort and hides inside with a flashlight.
• Banana facesThe elf draws funny faces on the bananas in the fruit bowl.
• Toy car raceThe elf lines up big toy cars for a race with a tape finish line.
• Sock snowball fightThe elf has a snowball fight with rolled-up socks and the stuffed animals.
• Dog sledThe elf rides the dog's bed or a pet toy like a sled.
• Copycat poseThe elf copies the pose from a family photo and sits right next to it.
• Snack heistThe elf is caught raiding the pantry with a flashlight.
• Toy donationThe elf asks the kids to choose a toy to give to a child who needs one.
• Thank-you cardsThe elf leaves paper and crayons to make thank-you cards for teachers or the mail carrier.
• Three kind thingsThe elf leaves a card: "Do three kind things today and tell me tonight."
• Food drive bagThe elf leaves an empty bag and asks the family to fill it for the food bank.
• Compliment jarThe elf starts a jar of kind notes about each person in the family.
• Call grandmaThe elf asks the kids to call or video chat a grandparent today.
• Pet presentThe elf leaves a new toy or treat for the family pet.
• Pictures to shareThe elf leaves crayons and paper to draw pictures for a care home.
• Tidy-up raceThe elf challenges everyone to tidy one room before breakfast.
• Mail carrier thanksThe elf leaves a thank-you note and a wrapped snack for the mail carrier.
• Hug couponsThe elf leaves homemade coupons for hugs and helping hands.
• Secret helperThe elf asks each child to do one chore for someone else without being asked.
• Goodbye letterThe elf leaves a farewell letter listing their favorite moments of the season.
• Bags packedThe elf waits by the window with a packed bag and a sign: "Santa is picking me up tonight."
• Christmas Eve pajamasThe elf leaves new pajamas wrapped up with a tag for each child.
• Season photo albumThe elf leaves printed photos of their best spots with funny captions.
• One more sleepThe elf sits beside a sign: "One more sleep! See you next year."

55 ideas · 1.8% chance each when spun alone

How does the Elf on the Shelf idea wheel pick?

The wheel holds up to 24 ideas at a time, drawn at random from the 74 on this page or from the type you choose. The winner is picked with your browser's Web Crypto API before the wheel turns, so every matching idea has the same chance.

How does the 24-night planner work?

Pick the first night and the planner gives every night its own idea: an arrival idea on night one, a goodbye idea on the last night, and easy, funny and kind ideas in between. No idea is used twice. Press the arrow next to any night to swap just that one, then print the plan.

When does the elf usually arrive?

Many families welcome the elf on Thanksgiving weekend or on December 1, and the elf flies home on Christmas Eve. Starting on December 1 gives 24 nights. If your elf arrives earlier, change the number of nights in the planner.

What if I forget to move the elf?

It happens to everyone. Common fixes: the elf "was watching from a great spot and didn't want to move," or leaves a note the next night saying they stayed up late helping Santa. Then pick an easy idea from the wheel.

Are these ideas safe for toddlers?

Turn on "Toddler-safe" on the wheel or "Toddler-safe ideas only" in the planner. Those ideas avoid small pieces, food a toddler could choke on and anything hot or breakable. You know your home best, so check every setup before bedtime.

Is my plan saved?

Yes, in this browser only. The planner keeps your latest plan on this device so it is still there tomorrow night. Nothing is sent to a server.