elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

thought this might be a cute thread...if you have pics, please post!

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

great idea - we hide him on top of candles, chandeliers, cabinets, wine rack, etc.

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

Our elf gets himself into everything too -he's hidden on the blades of ceiling fans, perched on picture frames, peeking out of lamp shades... can't wait til he arrives this year! My son gets such a kick out of looking for him every morning.

I have just a couple pictures on our blog:http://grahmtheham.blogspot.com/2009/12/our-visitor.html

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

Our elf isn't a sitter......he gets into things, makes messes, leaves small presents, etc.

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

ok so am I the only one who has NEVER heard of an elf on a shelf? I just looked it up and think its a great idea! But, can someone explain it to me a little better...like...do you change the hiding place every day? or he just stays in the same spot until christmas?

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

The elf can be anywher ein the house except the bathroom and bedrooms. We move "Spike" everyday and even though Emmy isn't even 2 yet my husband and I have a blast with trying to find him! It's such a cute and fun game!

He has been in the ceiling fan, on windows, behind pictures, in the oven in cupboards, in the fridge to make sure we;re making healthy choices , in the car, under pillows, or any other random place. We only do the oven or car thing if we know that person is planning to cook or go somewhere and man I have to tell you it can scare the shitt out of you. Last Christmas Morning he was on the tree and then mysteriously landed on our cat's collar for awhile. She wasn't impressed, but man it was funny watching her try to get him off of her.

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

when do you start putting him out? or do you just keep him out?


I remember my BIL used to tell his kids that "Patch" the elf was a very close friend of his and he was going to call him on his cell phone when he would misbehave

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

Posted by medic6809

The elf can be anywher ein the house except the bathroom and bedrooms. We move "Spike" everyday and even though Emmy isn't even 2 yet my husband and I have a blast with trying to find him! It's such a cute and fun game!

He has been in the ceiling fan, on windows, behind pictures, in the oven in cupboards, in the fridge to make sure we;re making healthy choices , in the car, under pillows, or any other random place. We only do the oven or car thing if we know that person is planning to cook or go somewhere and man I have to tell you it can scare the shitt out of you. Last Christmas Morning he was on the tree and then mysteriously landed on our cat's collar for awhile. She wasn't impressed, but man it was funny watching her try to get him off of her.

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

Posted by MrsMeloyellow

when do you start putting him out? or do you just keep him out?


I remember my BIL used to tell his kids that "Patch" the elf was a very close friend of his and he was going to call him on his cell phone when he would misbehave

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

I'm thinking about doing this without dh knowing and making him look for it. Dd is too little yet. It I think it would be fun

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

ok...and what about once they've found him/ her?? they aren't allowed to touch it right? do you wait til they are sleeping to put it somewhere new?

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

Where do you get the elf?

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

I love the elf!!! Ours is named Melvin Bigsby, and last year (our first with him) he was on the tv, chandelier, on top of candle, in our glass cabinet.

To the PP, the fridge is a good one, I would have never thought of that!

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

I never heard of it either. It sounds like a cute idea but I'm pretty sure I'd forget where I put the elf

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

Posted by Beck

I never heard of it either. It sounds like a cute idea but I'm pretty sure I'd forget where I put the elf

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

Barnes and Noble is selling a kit with an elf and the book

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

I LOVE this idea! We hide my DDs lovies at night, so she's going to FLIP in the morning when she learns about hiding elfs!!!!!

I see it on amazon too

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

Saw this list online...
1. Marshmallow fight – marshmallows everywhere
2. Pillow fight – feathers everywhere
3. Nerf gun fight – darts everywhere
4. Laundry fight – clothes everywhere
5. Lipstick on mirror message
6. Crepe paper barricade on their bedroom door that they have to bust through
7. Rearrange story books in ABC order or in a pile of disarray
8. Clean closet or make mess of closet
9. Fill tub with bubbles till the point of explosion
10. Hang from shower nozzle with a towel on
11. Unroll toilet paper roll on the floor, around Christmas tree, etc.
12. Zip down a zip line through the house
13. Caught sneaking candy
14. Eat milk and cookies
15. Organize school clothes – mismatched haha
16. Write a message on the on the snow covered car window
17. Create a paper chain with a bit of a mess to show for it
18. Hang child’s unmentionables on the Christmas tree
19. Hang from chandelier or ceiling fan
20. Make faces on school pictures with a marker
21. Take a spin in toy car/remote control car
22. Play board game with stuffed animal friends or action figures
23. Tea party with stuffed animal friends
24. Read book, newspaper, e-reader, ipad, computer, etc
25. Listen to child’s ipod
26. Play child’s DS/itouch
27. Play video games
28. Draw picture
29. Color in coloring book
30. Dump toybox
31. Create a block tower
32. Switch as out closet clothes (i.e. take chunk of child’s clothes and switch with chunk of sibling or parents clothes) or switch out dresser drawer clothes
33. Hide rocks in shoes
34. Hide one shoe
35. Sit in shoe, holding shoe laces as if going on a sleigh ride
36. Turn everyone shoes into superhero shoes 
37. Plant magic seeds with directions to water once a day. On 3rd day something will grow. Secretly plant lollipops on 3rd day.
38. Make cookies – flour everywhere
39. Make Reindeer food
40. Turn toilet water blue
41. Turn milk blue
42. Take picture of child sleeping
43. Hang out on child’s bedpost
44. Knit a scarf or hat
45. Make paper airplanes and fly them around the house
46. Park the car backwards, down the street, crooked, etc.
47. Put toothbrushes in toilet or clean toilet with toothbrushes– yuck (make sure new standbys are waiting in the wings)
48. Type /write an amazing letter of all the wonderful qualities your Elf has witnessed of your child!!!!!!!!
49. Have a package arrive via UPS/US Postal Service – new clothes for your Elf ordered by yours truly.
50. Hide parents phone, keys, or mom’s blow dryer
51. Recreate your family tree that now includes your Elf
52. Nothing. If your elf didn’t move overnight then perhaps their behavior contributed to their elf not moving.
53. Fold clothes, empty dishwasher, vacuum
54. Dust, sweep kitchen
55. Rake leaves/shovel or play in the snow
56. Dance party – music playing & stuffed friends dancing
57. Game day – playing soccer, baseball, basketball, dance, gymnastics, karate, etc in the house
58. Complete child’s homework or add pictures on homework
59. Make phone call
60. Drink Pepsi & milk
61. Run on treadmill/ ride exercise bike
62. Sew on sewing machine
63. Play cards
64. Learn multiplication facts
65. Play dress up – wearing mini homemade reindeer ears, etc.
66. Cover a room with Post-it notes on EVERY wall
67. Watch movie with popcorn & remote control
68. Build something great with Legos
69. Change all clock times
70. Take all the kitchen cabinet knobs off
71. Unscrew all the light blubs
72. Lock car keys in the car (parents have to have good acting skills & time on their side)
73. Tear up child’s old homework
74. Have a friend or relative call child thanking them for your Elf’s white elephant gift (child’s missing toy, clothes, artwork, etc)
75. Skype a friend/family member as your child is waking up (get someone to play along)
76. Cut coupons
77. Wrap gifts or cut up wrapping paper
78. Cut out toy pictures from toy catalog
79. Try on mom’s jewelry
80. Elf packs school lunches but mixes up everyone lunches (each child receives siblings lunch – great conversation piece at dinner)
81. Short sheet child’s sheets – ha ha
82. Cool off a cup of HOT chocolate with a stationary fan
83. Elf writes his own X-mas list – Elf clothes, Mrs. Elf, candy, etc.
84. Create a scavenger hunt for the kids with clues leading to mischief
85. Leave paper trail (or dog food trail) through house
86. Hang wet clothes on clothesline outside– especially funny in colder climates because their clothes will be stiff
87. Build a family fort with a name on the front
88. Wrap a new gift for the kids to open – exciting and thoughtful
89. Turn all the kitchen chairs backwards
90. Turn all the breakfast plates upside down
91. Swing on outdoor swing set – chilly
92. Sit by warm fire – cozy
93. Sit on toilet OUTSIDE on front lawn –if you happen to have an extra toilet being stored
94. Cover lawn with Easter decorations such as plastic eggs
95. Fill room with lots of balloons or hang them from ceiling
96. Build snowman
97. Write a secret message to child withinvisible ink
98. Create a mask & cape out of paper/cloth – Super Elf! Perhaps he can be hanging from the ceiling by fishing line.
99. Inspire reading, writing or imagination – leave a new book to be read or ask child to write a list things they are thankful for or ask child to finish Elf’s half written story making it as silly and creative as possible
100.Write a message in the snow (better for little ones who won’t notice the obvious footprints)
101.Pin fluffy tail on the back of child’s pjs while sleeping –great for hard sleepers.

Re: elf on the shelf hiding place ideas

becareful putting him on lamps and chandeliers - I put "Joseph" in one of the lights of our chandelier and my DD's OT didn't know and turned the light on. "Joseph" went on fire after about 1/2 hour. Traumatized my DD