50 Elf on the Shelf Ideas

*****************************Update**************************** 

Thank you so much for visiting!  For more FREE Printables, Calendars and additional ideas, check out my other posts

--> 2015 Elf on the Shelf Calendar with Free Printables <--
--> Elf on the Shelf 2014 Calendar (25+ NEW Ideas) <--
--> Make your Elf on the Shelf Bendy! {2-Minute No Sew Tutorial} <--

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Some may find it unsettling to have a doll *watch* your every move, but an Elf on the Shelf is SO much fun.  You know that Christmas Day level of excitement?  You get to see this every morning, as your child tries to find their elf. 

Our son named his elf “Reese”, and he arrives the day after Thanksgiving.  We (and the collective retail world) feel this particular date marks the official start of the Christmas season. 

 

I’ve noticed quite a few families enjoy the use of their elf as a behavior modification tool, or a physical reminder of Santa’s watchful eye.  Our scout elf is definitely watching, but we don’t ever use the phrase “Reese/Santa’s watching”.  <-- We prefer to use the same techniques year-round to keep our child on the straight & narrow (timeout, privileges taken away, etc).  

 Our elf is purely there for fun, and a great way to enjoy the days leading up to Christmas.

1. The elf got into the sprinkles and made snow angels

2. Reese took a wet erase marker, and drew on your photos! *Reese wuz here*

3. Your child's LEGO friends aren't too happy about Reese's return, and have tied him up. ~ One of the rioter's signs reads "A... is OURS! Find a NEW best friend!"*

4. The elf took mom/dad's car for a joyride. **Fact** Your neighbors will think you came home drunk and unintentionally parked on the lawn.

5. Reese got into the candy stash and binged on sweets.

6. The stockings were replaced with your kid's underwear!

7. Your milk wasn't festive enough, so the elf turned it red.

8. Reese brought a present with him! {The Polar Express book and a freezing, cold Jingle Bell from the freezer North Pole}

 

9. The elf packed your kid's lunch, but you find out it's not their forte. {He packed: croutons, pickles, cornbread mix, tomato paste, snow cone syrup and cat food}

10. Reese is found zip-lining to the Christmas tree, and brought The Elf On The Shelf movie!

11. You've been TPed, while sleeping!

12. The elf is exhausted from all of the mischief, and decided to take a marshmallow bath.

 

13. You and your pets have been Elfed!

14. Reese has been practicing for his Cirque du Soleil auditions.
15. The elf stayed up late, playing video games and snacking on Beaver Nuggets.
16. Bath time!  Like the washcloth hair wrap?

17. Reese made mini pancakes!
18. Our talented elf made snowflake cut-outs of himself.
19. The elf is found in the manger, cradling baby Jesus.
20. Hot air balloon ride!

21. "Be Good" - spelled out with M&Ms.

22. The elf used a marker, to write a note on the mirror.

23. Reese brought a present: The Elf On The Shelf ornament!

24. Snowball fight! **Note: These are too hard to throw at anyone/anything.  When you make and then freeze them, they turn rock hard {My husband called it an assassination attempt. Haha!}**

25. The elf is dangling from a light fixture.

Most of these took 5 minutes to pull together, and used supplies we already had on-hand {leftover Halloween candy, toilet paper, etc}; others took a little more preparation {purchasing a book, movie, ornament, helium-filled balloon, etc}.  

Last year, we noticed a few keepsakes {Polar Express book, The Elf on the Shelf movie/ornament} were missing from our Christmas collection, so the elf graciously brought these.  Normally, Reese isn’t a gift giver; he’s just there for mischief and fun.

If you are on the fence about using a calendar and don’t know if you want to get *that* involved with the whole elf thing, I cannot recommend it enough.  Your elf activities are more enjoyable & stress-free, when you don’t have to randomly think of something at the 11^th hour.  It’s also much easier to plan the purchase of supplies {when necessary} ahead of time.    

  I created my own calendar for this year's activities {click on it to download}:

If you're looking for Elf related presents, check out these amazing gifts!



Additional printables are available here:


Magic Seeds, Worst Cookies Ever, Plant Me

Creeper Mask

Coloring Page {girl}

Coloring Page {boy} 

What will your elf be doing this Christmas season?

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Chicken Pot Pie

You guys, I just reached over TEN THOUSAND hits on my site, as of last weekend {and only 1,000 of those are from porn site spam-bots #winning}!!! I'm kind of in shock and am so flattered.  I can't believe the Minecraft posts (party, pinata, and shoes) have been *this* popular.  Thank you so much for stopping by and reading.  Every comment you leave is exciting to read and respond to, and is appreciated.

 

**Now onto the Chicken Pot Pie recipe, for which you originally came**
 

What is it about Chicken Pot Pie that makes it taste so heavenly?  Is it the buttery, flaky crust?  The rich, savory gravy?  I'm salivating, just writing this.

A few weeks ago, I baked one of these for a family at our church, and made an extra one for my family {of course}.  It's satisfying, filling, and an easy way to sneak in vegetables to our kid. 

Chicken Pot Pie (adapted from Barbara and Robbie's recipes) Printable Recipe

makes 1 pie

Ingredients (crust):

4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup butter

3/4 cup shortening

3 tablespoons white sugar

2 teaspoons salt

1 egg

1/2 cup water

Directions:

1) Cut the butter into small slices {about ~1/2 tablespoon or less in size}.

2) In a mixing bowl, blend together the flour, salt and sugar.  Add in the butter, shortening, egg, and water, mixing until well blended.

3) Divide the dough in half and roll each section into a ball. 

4) Place one of the balls on a sheet of parchment paper, place another sheet on top, and roll it out, until it's flat.  <-- if you prefer the floured surface method instead, go for it.

5) After rolling out the dough, place it inside a pie dish and trim off the excess (I use this deep pie dish).  Roll out the remaining ball of pie crust dough and set it aside.

** Time for the filling! **

Ingredients (filling):

1 lb. chicken - cubed

1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup chopped celery
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup yellow onion - chopped
2/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
2 1/2 cup chicken broth + ~ 1/2 cup extra to cover the meat, while it cooks
1 1/3 cup milk

 

Directions:

1) Preheat the oven to 375.

2) In a large pan over medium heat, cook the chicken in a little oil, along with garlic powder, pepper and poultry seasoning - to taste.  <-- You can use whatever seasonings you'd prefer; these are just the ones I use.

3) Once the chicken is cooked, add in the carrots, peas, and celery.  Pour 1/2 cup of chicken broth over top, cover and cook for about 20 minutes.  Remove from heat, drain and set aside.

4) In a separate, large saucepan: Melt the butter over medium heat and cook the onions in it, until they're translucent.  Stir in the flour, salt, pepper, and celery seed.  Slowly stir in your remaining broth and milk, and simmer until thickened. Remove from heat.

5) Place the chicken mixture in the bottom of the pie crust and pour the gravy on top.

6) Cover with the remaining crust, seal edges and cut several slits to allow steam to escape, while cooking.  Brush with egg whites if desired, to brown the crust up nicely.

** Note: I used a pie top cutter {in lieu of cutting slits}, which is available for purchase here. **

 

7) Bake for 40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.  Cool for 10 minutes, before serving.

What's your favorite comfort food?

 
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