Is this your 1st year with an Elf? Or maybe your 10th and you just want to be more prepared this holiday season? No more scrambling or panicking at midnight!
This is what I do in November to prepare for our Elf’s arrival making it easy, fun, and smooth every day of December!
First
Gather a plastic tote or big bag that is not clear. Don’t want kids to easily see the contents!
We use a red and green 18 gallon plastic tote (pictured below, our elf’s name is not buster, that’s left behind from a previous use). It looks just like all our other Christmas items so it never peaks our kids interest. Our kids are still young enough they don’t carry items up from the basement yet on their own.
Next find a writing utensil and piece of paper. Or if you are into all things in a word document or excel sheet, grab that computer!
But it’s time to create your list. Figure out how many days you need your elf to move and number your paper accordingly. We start on December 1st, so I start with arrival and then followed by numbers 1-25, ending with a line for departure day. Yes that does add a few more days than you actually need!
But…….
Life gets crazy sometimes and having a couple prepped ideas up your sleeve for life’s surprise moments you will thank yourself for.
Before you actually start to compile that list, take a few moments to consider these questions to make the best choices that will actually work for you family.
1. Can your kids read?
2. Are you ok possibly not using the area your elf is in? (stove, toilet, counter space…etc) We have a magic glove for this reason.
3. Are your kids able to easily resist the urge to touch the elf or do you have pets that might want to carry away your elf friend? If you have small todders or a curious dog, spots down low or right in common locations may not be the best
4. Will you move your elf to the next location at night or in the morning? Some things don’t work well overnight and some take more time and may not be ideal to attempt before all the kids are awake.
5. What is your budget? Do you want to splurge and be a bit over the top, or focus on keeping it low cost.
I prefer to write a title for each day, it might say “Elf swings from the fan” and then in another column begin a supply list. You may want to have a divided supply list for things around the house to simply gather and things you need to purchase. Make sure you have a short description, photos, or a pinterest board for ideas that might require a reminder or example.
Once your list is complete, leave it inside the bin! Tape it to the top, put it in a folder, leave a whole notebook in their! Whatever works best for you.
Finally……..
Collect all the supplies needed, go grocery shopping, and purchase all the items you need for the whole month. Don’t forget some blank paper, pens or pencils, tape, and any other items that will come up often during the month. Its so nice to find them all in the bin each night!
Here is the current state of mine before I plan for the 2024 year. Paper, old props, holiday bows, a strand of lights, ziploc bags, cotton balls and other random things! All tossed in from previous years.
I use a lot of blank paper and red/green markers to write any notes or signs being left by our elf.
………..Now once December comes, you open that bin, pick something off the list and you are ready to move that Elf! It will only take 5 minutes at the beginning or end of the day. You spent the time, gathered the materials, and have plenty of ideas ready to go.
It also may allow your spouse or another adult in the home to easily help too! My husband likes to help, and this makes it easier for him to help with the set up/moving at night. I can send him a photo or tell him my plan and he knows right where to find any supplies he needs!
And now its time for you to get to planning, and gathering!! I hope this season brings lots of joy and memories to your home and family.
Leave a comment and let the rest of us know, help spur on ideas, what one or two things your elf be doing this holiday season??