50 Easy, Last-Minute Elf on the Shelf Ideas

It was one of the simplest yet most creative Elf ideas I have ever done. Took me all of 10 seconds to grab the Xbox controllers and put them with the Elves, right before I work him for school.

[{"selector":"#anim-c04c7e75-07f3-46b6-beba-82ddbdec395b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c6ab4b79-488b-4c87-91ac-9814ac843c8a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -95.23297%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6d9fd7d9-9633-4e89-8742-79604a98f2f3","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-b780b335-2aca-4a84-a048-23d7a8bc37a9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b3633c5d-a27b-49bd-a16d-a3b954bc9040","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 116.30263%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

And let’s be honest, most of the complex vignettes that you see on social media are NOT for kids. That’s adults having fun and trying to outdo other adults.

[{"selector":"#anim-3daa0d55-260a-442f-a24a-1e2450b54633","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d73191b4-b46f-42e2-bf8d-7521c9a8df98","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -101.86622%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eeeb0f1b-91fa-4b77-9962-b9b829617c5a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6e43eaa8-98af-4d1b-a188-f820fa37181f","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

Here are some simple, creative, and hilarious Elf ideas using everyday items. No need to buy anything special or set up beforehand.

[{"selector":"#anim-180b61f0-df0b-4b9f-8c8b-cabe63d39f90","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ce886807-9462-4471-8564-9d0641f974c3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4c4fe809-663e-4540-9ec2-9758d687a36e","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e979777a-dde0-4406-9897-6086c78ed69d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-13.880776532587142%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Elf for Teens

[{"selector":"#anim-3abf4994-1067-4cfa-a568-5d82924d24a9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ab1aa842-04d6-4b4c-84e6-bd18a8698781","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fe1ec163-b8f1-47e3-8329-8c879eed6ba8","keyframes":[{"offset":0,"transform":"translate3d(0, -671.63723%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.29,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.45,"transform":"translate3d(0, -188.864389076%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.61,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.71,"transform":"translate3d(0, -64.20851918800001%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.8,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.85,"transform":"translate3d(0, -24.111776557000002%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":0.92,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"},{"offset":0.96,"transform":"translate3d(0, -10.477540788%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(.5, 0, 1, 1)"},{"offset":1,"transform":"translate3d(0, 0%, 0)","easing":"cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1)"}],"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1b22aeb0-d10b-4c5e-bcb7-0fa9ebd7c705","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas

[{"selector":"#anim-c84ecff3-b184-4da9-a3c4-f7899faeee6f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(115.18987%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-06ecdd29-bcb3-4cbc-889e-2e4a34530f8f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-84cf57f9-39f3-4203-b511-9a8ee5b0baf1","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5e053c54-061e-4b99-9541-31badbe9c4b1","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-21be1a7f-4f19-4311-aa49-432ba08c0ac6","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.3333333333333333)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d64951e3-d143-416e-abcc-43c3239654c9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-eccebe42-c99b-4dfa-ad82-43a76fdd2838","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Elf on the Shelf Hiding Ideas

[{"selector":"#anim-b3e5b5ec-a764-48dc-8577-061b05baac56","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-ea8676e6-af56-4aab-a882-906cf3f9c1af","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -222.71981%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d5eb0051-9668-4b77-9cf9-1d9e0781d735","keyframes":{"transform":["rotate(-540deg) scale(0.1)","none"],"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-4323f7ef-f73c-4c66-9227-4fe64c4ee9bf","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

Easy Elf Ideas: Bedroom

[{"selector":"#anim-68982828-3b8a-4e6a-bc95-75646ad9604b","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(1)","scale(1.5)","scale(0.95)","scale(1)"],"offset":[0,0.33,0.66,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1450,"easing":"ease-in-out","fill":"both","iterations":1}] [{"selector":"#anim-dfcceb4c-14b2-4f7a-9c3b-81df5815d31c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-175146b7-0f56-40ae-9d4c-f6de1e0ed66b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 166.98414%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9c1b2be0-ef32-49a2-9956-27b68208b4f5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-99.04762%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-410f2c81-7634-463c-bb15-75c9daf2d872","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c9d12ed5-c2ca-4c63-82c2-ed3be58eddac","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.15)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more

Swipe Up to Learn More!

[{"selector":"#anim-ff0527d2-4098-4551-9c2f-ccae7f2c6d96","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-67e14dd6-cd9b-4f04-84af-283a8cb7d730","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 239.83232%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-daca7516-ab39-4138-a731-acf266aa0a07","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fe6e2d11-7ccc-44ea-b19b-e1903814bb6d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 97.44991%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Learn more

50 Easy, Last-Minute Elf on the Shelf Ideas

adayinourshoes.com

It was one of the simplest yet most creative Elf ideas I have ever done. Took me all of 10 seconds to grab the Xbox controllers and put them with the Elves, right before I work him for school.

And let’s be honest, most of the complex vignettes that you see on social media are NOT for kids. That’s adults having fun and trying to outdo other adults.

Here are some simple, creative, and hilarious Elf ideas using everyday items. No need to buy anything special or set up beforehand.

Elf for Teens

Teens will enjoy this one. They won't tell you, they may just roll their eyes at you. But, deep down, I know mine likes it!

Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas

The kitchen and the bathroom Elf ideas can be some of the funniest.

Elf on the Shelf Hiding Ideas

– Does your child pour their own breakfast cereal in the morning? Put him inside the box. – Put him through the handle of a jug of juice or milk in the fridge.

Easy Elf Ideas: Bedroom

- If your child plans out their outfits the night before, stick Elf in the sleeve or pocket. Guess they’ll have to pick something else! - Put it in the sleeve or pocket of a coat.

Swipe Up to Learn More!

More Posts