Thank me now. Or thank me later.
Either way, do you have an Elf scout in your life? If you have little kids (or anyone for that matter) who could use daily reminders that Santa is coming to town then you need an The Elf on the Shelf. Now.
Happily I am going to send one lucky family an elf. From Santa, to me, to you.
What is an Elf scout? Why do you need this?
The Elf is a small (kinda freaky) looking elf that comes out a few weeks before Christmas to keep an eye on everyone’s behaviors around the house.
Each evening the Elf flies back to the North Pole to report to Santa how the day went.
Tantrums are not acceptable. Good behavior is essential.
The Elf watches everyone carefully. Even you.
Yes, I had lots of fun with this photo shoot thank you very much.
Yes, the recipe for that delicious cake is coming soon. Pinky promise.
The elf is watching me too.
The Basics
- Let the kids choose a name for their Elf scout (girl or boy)
- During the day the Elf scouts your home. It watches everyone closely (even you.)
- Absolutely no one is allowed to touch the Elf or it will lose it’s magical powers.
- At bedtime you can read the Elf in the Shelf book with your kids.
- Every night the elf flies to Santa to report back the days happenings.
- YOU get to be sneaky & move the elf every single night or morning before the kids wake.
- Sometimes you will forget to move it and that is OK. Just think of a very good excuse as to why he landed in the same place as the day before.
- The kids get so excited to look for the Elf every morning.
- Be prepared for the kids to ask you why the Elf’s eyes always look in the same direction. I am not sure how to answer that.
I’ve been on the shelf (ha!) about getting one of these, but the kids seem to really want one. I figure, if I win one, it was meant to be! Thanks for the giveaway!
Just yesterday my son said “Mama, I was good today because I know that the elves are watching….” So I really think that an Elf on the Shelf would help! I have wanted one for the kids since last year! Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds so fun. I’d love to start this tradition with my niece!
oh I have wanted one of these for my house for years!
I think the Elf would help calm my kids down just a little bit during the holidays. If they know that the Elf is actually watching and it isn’t just me then maybe there will be more love and less fighting.
Great giveaway! My little one is 2…it would be a great time to start this!
I’ve seen these but never really knew hoe they worked but now knowing how it works I need one for my kids that way maybe they will see they are being watched and their behavior will straighten out. Maybe I can win one on here.
Awesome Marla! We have one already and it is very serious business around here!
This will be the first year my little guy will even know who Santa is!! It would be great to have an Elf scout to help keep an eye out 😉
So cute!! I don’t have kids and had no idea how Elf on the Shelf worked. I love the idea.
Well I would give this to my son and wife so they can sit it on their shelf and tell the kids he is watching them to make sure the are behaving for Santa.
My sister started using this guy for her kids. It’s so adorable how full-heartedly they believe in “Charlie”. Such a great way to keep them on their best behavior!
The kids would be excited everyday, it would be something fun for us all to look forward too. 🙂
We are moving and in between two houses. My daughter is so bummed we havent been able to decorate because our other house is under construction. I have wanted to buy one but just cannot afford it right now. This will help boost the Christmas spirit in our homes
The Elf on the Shelf looks like so much fun and the creative possibilities are endless! Might have to borrow some of your ideas-too cute!
I have been thinking about getting one of these.
It would help me to keep at the projects that are falling behind during the holiday season.
What a great tradition!
I can’t wait until Caleb is old enough for Elf on the Shelf!
The elf will be a fun new tradition to start with my children and husband while they are still young and won’t wonder why we are doing this.
I’ve been wanting to get An Elf on the Shelf… My girls are grown, but when the grandblessings visit, I think they would enjoy seeing an elf here… I enjoy your blog and your facebook posts…
I would love to have an elf on the ! Some friends of ours have one, and have such a blast with their elf and kiddos. My son is 2.5 and starting to understand Christmas this year. I can’t wait to start some fun family Christmas traditions with him (and next year, our daughter, who we expect to arrive at the end of January)
My daughter saw the movie last year and fell in love with it. She watched it everyday. I would really like to win this for her, she would be so happy. I think this would help her tantrums…hopefully!
I’ve been meaning to get this for my kids – my three year old will really, really love it!
I think it will make it fun every morning
With a 4-year-old and a 3-month-old chaos is reigning in our house. A visual reminder that Santa is watching would be helpful.
I’ve been pinning lots of EOTS ideas. Would love to have an elf to use those ideas 😉
And I think his/her eyes face the same direction for the same reason that all the toys in Toy Story look the same. They turn in to “toy mode” when people are around and always looks the same, but when people are gone, that’s when they look and become “real”.
Of course…he would be so helpful and over see Christmas cheer and fun!
Wow! What a fun giveaway! My kids are always talking about what their cousin’s elf on the shelf is doing. We don’t have one, so I think this would be a fun thing to win for the family. Thanks for the chance & happy holiday wishes to you!
I agree with you that Elf is a little freaky – and I can’t wait for the recipe for that cake – which is exactly what I was thinking as I read your post! We have a little character who climbs the tree at night but no elf reporting back to Santa! Genius!
My daughter Bailey is always asking questions about Santa, she would get a kick out of having an elf in our home!
This is so cute and such a wonderful giveaway. I think the Elf can really help my kids to get more into reading. I’m always on the look to get them interesting new books to read. 🙂
I was really skeptical about how cool this elf could be but I have seen some seriously creative ideas and it makes me want one! I think my son will love it.
Elf would help in our house by making popcorn. 😉
your elf is getting into lots of trouble 🙂
My kids would love the hunt
My kids will love the Elf on the shelf and I will love that it will add excitement to know that Santa is on his way!
Sounds like a fun tradition!
I think it would remind my little ones for sure
This is darling! Lol, I had so much fun reading this post, Marla! I can imagine how much fun it must have been to shoot. (And I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks he’s a little freaky, lol!)
I have been wanting an Elf On The Shelf for my niece. They look so fun!
I like the idea of fewer tantrums and more “brotherly love” with my 3 boys! Please send the elf our way! lol
I have been “on the shelf” on whether to start this tradition. HAHA! I open to giving it a try though!
oops, I got ahead of myself. I think the elf on the shelve might help us establish some of our our own new traditions with our 1.5 year old and baby on the way!
This is just so fun!!!! I love it
What a cute idea to start with our little one! Thanks!
Fun giveaway and with those elf eyes watching, you’d better believe good behavior would happen even more often around here 🙂
My kids would love this! They have been asking about this Elf.
to make it feel more like christmas
He would make my house look festive,
a reminder that someone is watching and reporting back to santa would help my 5 yr old and 2 yr old be on there best behavoir over the holidays lol 🙂
My kids are to old for Elf but my grandson would love him!!!
I think it might make my daughter, who is in the terrible 2 stage, behave a bit better!
This little guy will add a lot more of the Christmas spirit into the house. It will make Christmas fun, remembering how everything was when I was a little girl.
This little elf will definitely keep the kids in line but also add excitement leading up to the holidays. Thanks for the great giveaway!!
I heard about your giveaway on pinterest. Crossing my fingers I’ve got 2 little girls who would love this and soon to have a little boy too. Would be a great family tradition.
I think that he will help my older kids remember how fun Christmas can be and that it’s not all about receiving gifts.
Very cute I would give it to my niece and her 2 yr old-They would love it!
I think my daughter would love this, she’s just the age to start it and I think it would be a great tradition to start in our little family, i think it would def help with the Christmas spirit and to get her excited about Christmas. “D
What a super idea! I just found out about this little guy & now see all kinds of posts from fiends on fb. Too cool & looks like a lot of fun for the adults as well!
What a wonderful giveaway! This is such a fantastic and cute idea. My daughter would be ecstatic if that little Elf arrived at her house. I think it would teach a very good lesson, be fun and exciting and also might bring some calmness to our household. Thank you for having this giveaway. It is sure to bring happiness to the lucky boy or girl that receives it!
I would love one for my grandchildren, what a fun tradition! We all need a reminder to be on our best behavior.
It would help my Grandchildren be more helpful and nice to each other if they knew that someone was watching them and than telling Santa at night..
I think my kids might be a little more aware of certain “behavior” if we had an elf on the shelf!. Ha ha! Great give-away!
I think it will bring adventure and a little more excitement and wonder to this holiday season. I’ve always wondered what the Elf on the Shelf really was but never sought it out. Thank you for this blog and for explaining the details. What a fun idea for families with little kids.
Maybe this would help my kids not be so darn naughty! LOL
My husband and I would love to start this tradition with our little one! I love seeing all the mischievous things he gets into on Pinterest 😉
Would love to win!!! I really want to get one for my son this year !
I know this would add a lot of fun to our home
My daughter just turned one and I was telling my husband just this past weekend that I want to start this tradition with her next year! I came across your blog, and it suited me perfectly! I loved reading your perspective of the Elf on the Shelf! Thanks 🙂
Would love to have this for my grandchildren
Thanks for offering such a cool giveaway! It seems like a fun tradition to start.
What a fun giveaway!! Can’t wait to start this!
Elf might help the girls listen to me at bedtime?! 🙂
My daughter works well with threats. This would be perfect. 🙂
All my Mommy friends do the Elf, I have been doubtful but I am ready to try the shelf now 🙂
I’ve been debating getting one of these guys-it sounds so fun!
My kids are already ridiculously excited about Christmas, santa, elves and all of the magic of the season but maybe just maybe that freaky/curious/cute little guy/girl would help get my kids to behave lol 😉
It will help keep my husband in line (we are empty-nesters), haha;) All eight of our grandchildren (7 and under) will be here at Christmas and I’m sure we could have a lot of fun with the elf! 🙂
I love the Elf on the Shelf, and have wanted one for years – just haven’t gotten one. A great reminder for my son he always needs to be on his best behavior, because someone is always watching!
I think the Elf on the Shelf would help my daughter pick up her toys!!!!
This is the cutest thing!
Maybe my son will stop jumping all over my couch and put on some underwear?? LOL
Oh I think that little elf is just so fun! I don’t have one YET:) but know my kids would get the biggest kick out of him. What a fun new tradition it would be/.
Help us teach our boys about grace
hopefully it would get my kids to stop hitting each other
tcogbill at live dot com
I love the ELF ON A SHELF – such a cute idea!
I would use it as a way to keep the kids in bed at night. That would be a big help.
My husband loves The Elf. I guess there’s always a kid in everyone of us… 🙂
It’s my daughters 1st Christmas so I could start the tradition right away! Even if she’s too little to look for it…
My daughter is on the cusp of not believing and I want to extend the magic of Christmas for as many years as possible.
I think the elf might be a bit more mischievous than helpful – I foresee some snowball marshmallow fights and some Christmas Tree TPing.
We need all the happy we can get in our house.
I look after foster kids as well as my own child, and coming up with innovative ways to motivate them is always tough. I only first read about Elf on a Shelf a couple of days ago, and thought then, that this could be exactly what I need!
Oh my boys would love this! Thanks for the chance to win the Elf
I have so wanted to get one for the kids! My husband hasn’t been convinced yet so maybe winning one would be the key. Sounds like fun!
I think this would really help my girls. They would have a visual reminder that they are being watched. I would love to have one! Thanks!
I want an Elf on the Shelf for my son. He is only 14 months right now, but I will have it when he gets older and it will help everyone around the house get into the Christmas Spirit. 🙂
I really want this, it would be great for our home!!
I have been wanting one of these for my daughter! I think she would love it and I’m hoping it will help with her behavior. Plus I think it would be fun to create fun ways for him to be discovered each day! 🙂
I’d love to have one!
I think this Elf will help me with behavior management…throughout the year 😉
My daughter has been asking me to get an Elf on a shelf and she is 18!! This would make her day:)
I think it would be a fun tradition to start with Liam on his first Christmas! 😀
Cute gift idea!
How will the elf help in our house? I have 2 three year old boys – ANYTHING is helpful or at a minimum can’t hurt!
He’s so cute!! Would love to win it.
We have our own Elf on the Shelf for our daughter that she named Elfie and this is the third year we are following the tradition. I must say it might be one of the cutest traditions invented for the kids.
The elf would help us have a lot of silly fun this Christmas!
My five year old would really like this book so he has a joke for you….
Where do you find elves?
Answer: Depends where you left them!
Happy Christmas!
i think an elf would help my kids keep better behaved and less squirrely as we get closer and closer to the big day
It will make the holidays fun! Also help with some night time behavior, but mostly my kids will be excited.
I have thought about getting one of these but they always seem to be sold out! My kids would love this and hopefully I could put some of those cute EOTS ideas I see on Pinterest to good use!
The Elf would be a good distraction when discipline is needed for the kids. It would be nice to be the good guys for a few weeks and let the Elf take on the responsibility of keeping the kids in line. lol!
I would love to have an Elf on the Shelf! Not only would it help ensure my kids are on their BEST behavior, it’s a great, fun family tradition to start. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I don’t have kids, but I am the biggest kid I know! I think this would be fun for my husband and me.
I think he would help my daughters get into the holiday spirit.
My nieces have had their elf for 3 years now and they love it. I can’t wait to start this tradition with my little boy.
Very cute idea! My kids would love this Elf!
My sons LOVE looking for their elf every morning. I think a new addition to our Christmas tradition would help ensure that the tradition continues by giving us new and exciting ways to incorporate the elves mischievous sides!
It would be another fun tradition to start in our family. As far as helping goes, it would help create a festive atmosphere.
This would be awesome to win! He could help clean the house for me!! 😉
My 2-year-old will just enjoy seeing the elf, but in future years I hope it can be fun and inspire good behavior!
It might convince my toddler to listen to his mama…
I think this little elf would be perfect for my littles ones.
I would love to play with the elf! (and I could really use some motivation for good behavior in my house!)
I’ve been waiting for the perfect time to introduce this tradition to my children — and I feel like this is the year they will all have fun with it and understand it! Christmas is my favorite holiday, and bringing a little more tradition and fun in for the children will make it THAT more special!
It would be a nice tradition to start
I wish he had been around when my kids were young. I would LOVE to win this to send to my granddaughters in Alaska….and their elf wouldn’t have to travel so far each night to report in to Santa :o)
He can help my kids be nice to each other! 🙂
Elf would help bring joy to our household!
I think it’ll help me come up with lots of fun things for him to get into! Plus, it will make my daughter laugh! Can’t go wrong with that!
THINK IT WOULD HELP MY KIDS BEHAVE.
My husband and I are expecting our first and we would love to start this tradition! We LOVE Christmas and all the special little traditions that go with it.
The Elf on the Shelf will definitely keep the young grandkids in line, hehehe.
This sounds like FUN!
Oh, my kids would love this! Thanks for the chance!
I know a lot of people with an Elf…we don’t have one yet because for us they are kind of expensive. My 3 year old loves everything Christmas and Santa, and she is sweet as pie except when she is throwing a “terrible 3s” tantrum. I would love Elf to help us with those tantrums! 🙂
The elf could help us start a family Christmas tradition since we do not have one yet! 😉
He would add a lot of entertainment.
My kids can’t seem to keep their hands off my Christmas decorations. I’d like to pull out some of the ones handed down to me from my grandmother, but I’m afraid they’ll be broken. I’m hoping the scout elf would help my kids do their homework and keep their hands off of the Christmas decorations and clean up their rooms. 😉
Love all the ideas there are out there for the Elf!!!!