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Free elf ideas

Easy Elf Ideas

Quick setups that take five minutes or less, using things you already have at home.

Picture guide: Marshmallow Bubble Bath elf idea

🛁 Marshmallow Bubble Bath

About 5 min · Marshmallows

  1. Grab a bowl or the bathroom sink.
  2. Fill it with marshmallows.
  3. Nestle the elf in with a washcloth 'towel' on its head.
Picture guide: Sugar Snow Angel elf idea

❄️ Sugar Snow Angel

About 5 min · Powdered sugar

  1. Sprinkle powdered sugar on a baking sheet or countertop.
  2. Lay the elf down and wiggle its arms and legs.
  3. Lift it gently and sit it next to its 'snow angel'.
Picture guide: TP the Christmas Tree elf idea

🧻 TP the Christmas Tree

About 5 min · Toilet paper

  1. Loosely drape a roll of toilet paper over the tree.
  2. Leave the empty tube in the elf's arms.
  3. Pose the elf looking guilty.
Picture guide: Mirror Message elf idea

🪞 Mirror Message

About 2 min · Dry erase markers

  1. Write 'Good morning! Only __ days 'til Christmas!' on the bathroom mirror.
  2. Sit the elf on the sink holding the marker.
Picture guide: Candy Cane Fishing elf idea

🎣 Candy Cane Fishing

About 4 min · Candy canes

  1. Lay a blue towel or dish towel flat as the 'pond'.
  2. Hang the elf's candy cane over the edge as a fishing rod (hook it on a sock, spoon or toy as the 'catch').
  3. Scatter a few spoons, bottle caps or toy blocks as 'fish' around the pond.
Picture guide: Cereal Snow Sledding elf idea

🛷 Cereal Snow Sledding

About 5 min · Cereal

  1. Pour a cereal 'hill' on the table.
  2. Sit the elf on a spoon or lid as a sled.
  3. Scatter a few pieces as if it just crashed.
Picture guide: Flour Footprints elf idea

👣 Flour Footprints

About 5 min · Flour

  1. Lightly dust flour on the counter.
  2. Press the elf's feet in a walking path.
  3. End the trail at the cookie jar.
Picture guide: Cotton Ball Snowball Fight elf idea

⛄ Cotton Ball Snowball Fight

About 4 min · Cotton balls

  1. Scatter cotton balls around stuffed animals.
  2. Pose the elf mid-throw.
  3. Make a small 'fort' from a pillow.
Picture guide: Elf vs. Toys Game Night elf idea

🎲 Elf vs. Toys Game Night

About 5 min · Board games

  1. Set up a board game mid-play.
  2. Arrange toys as opponents.
  3. Put the elf in the 'winning' position.
Picture guide: Midnight Cookie Bakery elf idea

🍪 Midnight Cookie Bakery

About 4 min · Cookies

  1. Arrange cookies on a plate.
  2. Sprinkle a few crumbs around the elf.
  3. Leave a note: 'Taste-testing for Santa!'
Picture guide: Sock Drawer Sleepover elf idea

🧦 Sock Drawer Sleepover

About 1 min · nothing extra

  1. Open a sock drawer a crack and build a sock 'sleeping bag'.
  2. Tuck the elf in with a mini paper sign: 'Do Not Disturb — Elf Recharging'.
  3. Line up a few socks beside it like sleepy sleepover buddies.
Picture guide: Houseplant Jungle Explorer elf idea

🌿 Houseplant Jungle Explorer

About 2 min · nothing extra

  1. Hide the elf peeking out of a houseplant.
  2. Add a spoon 'machete' if you like.

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