Kaboutjie SA Mommy Blogs by Lynne Huysamen
Christmas is a magical time for children and for many adults too. Most families gather together at Christmas time to share gifts and a special celebration. Many families have Christmas traditions that are passed down from generation to generation, with children and adults looking forward to these traditions.
Chances are good that you have heard of The Elf on the Shelf® by now – a magical and exciting Christmas Tradition to fill children with wonder and enchantment during the period leading up to Christmas each year.
Here is everything that you need to know about The Elf on the Shelf (and don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end of the post):
***Disclosure – This is a sponsored post.***
What Is Elf On The Shelf and How Does It Work?
The Elf On The Shelf is a fun Christmas tradition where Scout Elves are adopted into homes all over the world. Scout Elves get their magic by being named and loved by the children. Once named the elf cannot be touched or it will lose its magic.
Each night the Scout Elves fly back to the North Pole to Santa to report back to him whether the children are being naughty or nice. Every morning the elves return to their families and find a new place to settle for the day. When the children wake up they have to seek out their elf’s new spot.
Scout Elves are kind fun and adventurous, but never naughty.
Also Read: Elf On The Shelf, St Bernard Pet & Letters To Santa Review
What Are The Benefits Of The Elf On The Shelf?
The Elf On The Shelf will bring happiness and excitement to your children in a unique and fun way.
Leading up to Christmas many parents tell their children to remember to be good because Santa is watching. Now you will have a Scout Elf to take care of this message for you. Every morning when your kids hunt for their elf they will be reminded to be good for Santa.
Keeping kids busy and entertained is vital during the long Christmas holidays and The Elf On The Shelf will provide your children with many great activities, just check out the list of additional products available further down this post.
Your elf will keep the spirit and magic of Christmas alive and well in your home.
10 Ways To Include The Elf On The Shelf Into Your Family Life
Your Scout Elf moves to a new place every morning when he or she comes back from visiting Santa, but your elf may also decide to get creative and find more fun ways to be included in your family life. It’s all up to your elf and of course you can give your elf some really cool ideas and suggestions.
Be sure to also check the list of The Elf On The Shelf products further down this post which will provide additional activities and fun for your family.
Here are some fun ways you can include your Scout Elf in your family life:
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Tooth Brush Monitor
It is the season to be jolly and indulge in eating lots of tasty things (that are not so great for our teeth). Little children often give a bit of a fight about brushing teeth.
Let your elf know that a good spot to spend the day might just be in the bathroom right next to the toothpaste and toothbrushes to encourage good tooth brushing habits. If you have a spare tooth brush your elf might even like to hold onto one.
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Treat Surprises
Your Scout Elf will love bringing little gifts for your children, a favourite is bringing small boxes of sweets. Your kids will love waking up and finding your elf sitting next to some lovely treats. You may also find your elf has eaten a few.
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Fun Notes & Treasure Hunts
Scout Elves love fun and games, you may find your elf sitting next to a note in the morning letting your kids know the he has hidden some Christmas tree decorations for them to find or hidden some sweets somewhere for them to hunt down.
Always remember not to touch your elf – you need to ensure he keeps his magic!
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Breakfast Time
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and your elf knows this. You may find your elf has all the breakfast goodies ready on your table waiting for your kids to wake up and eat, with him watching nearby. It is a great way for your elf to encourage fussy morning eaters to eat a good breakfast.
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Snow Angel
Your elf loves snow and may just be missing the snowy weather in the North Pole. Don’t be surprised if you find evidence in the morning of your elf making snow angels – its one of their favourite things to do!
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Toy Catalogue
Your elf is going to be trying to find out what your kids love and enjoy when it comes to toys and gifts. It is very common for Scout Elves to bring some toy catalogues home to encourage your kids to talk about what their favourite toys are.
Chances are good your elf will leave one lying around near him so he can watch and see which toys to tell Santa about.
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Movie Night
Many families (ours included) has a family movie night. You may find your elf has brought your family a dvd to watch on your special night. If you find a new dvd in your home placed near your elf you can be sure it was your elf at work.
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Tea Party
Your Scout Elf loves to have fun and any occasion is a reason to have a tea party. If your child has a tea set don’t be surprised if your elf finds it and uses it.
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Advent Calendar
Children love advent calendars and so does your Scout Elf, chances are good that your elf will bring your kids one. Your elf may even wrap it and leave a little list of chores to complete in order to earn the gift.
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Putting Up The Tree
Let your Scout Elf know where you keep your tree and decorations so he is sure to have it ready and waiting for your children when they wake up to set up the Christmas tree and decorate it.
The Elf On The Shelf Activities and Products
The Elf On The Shelf is not limited only to the Scout Elf – there are lots of amazing products on offer that will compliment your Scout Elf and make your Christmas tradition more interesting and fun for your children.
Here is a complete list of what is available:
The Elf on the Shelf ®: A Christmas Tradition
Adopt this beloved family tradition that has captured the hearts of children everywhere, and embrace the magic of having a Scout Elf who reports to Santa each night during the holidays. This package contains everything you need to make lasting Christmas memories!
Includes:
- Adoptable Scout Elf
- Artfully illustrated hardbound children’s book
- Keepsake box
- Official adoption certificate
Elf Pets®: A Saint Bernard Tradition
Adopt an Elf Pets® Saint Bernard to keep Christmas magical at the North Pole! More Christmas Spirit is needed to save the North Pole, so Santa is sending Saint Bernard pups to kids who believe.
Includes:
- Beautifully illustrated hardbound storybook
- Huggable Saint Bernard pup
- Barrel featuring golden heart charm
- Official adoption certificate
Scout Elf Express Delivers Letters to Santa®
With their Scout Elves’ help, kids can quickly get their letters to Santa! Using Mrs. Claus’ Magic Press and Santa’s Special Paper®, shrink letters to elf-size for easy delivery to the North Pole. Once they are read, your Scout Elf will hang yours on the Christmas tree as keepsake ornaments!
Includes:
- 6 pieces of Santa’s Special Paper®
- Mrs. Claus’ Magic Press
- 6 Scout Elf sashes
- 2 markers
- 2 sheets of parchment paper
Buy your Elf On The Shelf early and receive a FREE DVD – A St Bernard Story (while stocks last at selected retailers).
The Elf On The Shelf is available at:
- Toy Kingdom
- Hamleys
- Toyzone
- Toys r Us
- Takealot
The Elf On The Shelf Giveaway
Stand a chance to win Elf On The Shelf products to the value of R1000 by entering your details into the form below.
The prize includes
- 1 x The Elf on the Shelf®
- 1 x Elf Pets® Saint Bernard
- 1 x Scout Elf Express Delivers Letters to Santa®
Increase your chances of winning by gaining extra entries:
- Leave a comment below this blog post sharing your Elf On The Shelf ideas
- Share this post on social networks, tag @Kaboutjie on Facebook and Twitter or @lynnehuysamen on Instagram and include the hashtags #winwithkaboutjie #elfontheshelfsa
The winner will be announced via blog post on Monday 26 November 2018, as well as notified via email.
This competition is open to residents of South Africa only.
Please be sure to check our competition terms.
***COMPETITION CLOSED***
I would love the naughty elf to ply trucks on my two toddlers.. Maybe steal their favourite snack,😂
If I had a Elf on a Shelf, I’d take my daughters clothes and hang them up on the tree and put him in the tree with a note saying he was feeling up to mischief 😂
If I had the Elf on a Shelf I would incorporate it in my and my daughter tea parties and once the tea party is done put by the Xmas Tree till the next Tea party .
A tea party sounds great 🙂 Just remember though that your elf will lose his magic if you touch him!!
I would like our elf to go on an African Safari in my son’s toy Jeep. I would pack al his toy animals along the way and he will bring back a special snack pack with Safari dried fruits for the good boy 🤗
We would make a train with the boys shoes. And hang some undies on the tree lol. Maybe build some Lego or have the superheroes capture our elf 😀
Wow, I would love to have an elf pet <3
My elf would get up to all kinds of mischief :p
I see him painting them as little raindeer and leavi g then hints to find small surprises