This is Kathryn.

I went to University with Kathryn. Kathryn has the skill of making Elf on the Shelf not just for kids. Every year I look forward to her Elf on the Shelf coming back. I want her elf to visit my house! I don’t know where she gets her Elf on the Shelf ideas! My elf… well the stress of coming up with ideas every night makes me want to cry. Not to mention that I have kids with ADHD/Anxiety which makes the Elf on the Shelf even harder.

Now before anyone starts, I am sharing about Kathryn as an inspiration, not to make parents jealous or feel inadequate. She works outside the home, has 2 kids with their own things that consume her time like all the other moms out there. But she puts in the extra effort every year to make memories with Eric her Elf on the Shelf and her kids that they will always cherish. Her kids are getting older now, but they still love and look forward to what the elf will bring. I love that every year I can just look in her facebook photos for easy elf on the shelf ideas. Her elf on the shelf ideas are so awesome, I decided to share with everyone. With her permission of course!

What makes her elf so awesome?

Every year I am left shaking my head trying to figure out how she comes up with these ideas. What I have noticed over the years is that her elf makes everything personal. her family loves the polar express, so her elf usually incorporates that idea. If her daughter is sick her elf is there delivering medicine and keeping her company in bed. One year they had no snow and their garden was still growing so her elf landed on their garden. Another year they got a lot of snow, so her elf went sliding int he kitchen. The point is, her elf incorporates the things that is going on in their lives. Making it personal makes it more fun and most importantly easy!

Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Here are some of Kathryn’s Elf on the Shelf Ideas that are creative, can work with any family and requires no special items or printing.

Don’t Release the Critter!

This is a fun one that only requires a styrofoam cup.

Need a Boost?

Is there anything more Canadian than Tim Hortons? If you aren’t in Canada you can use any keurig and a few googly eyes and your kids will love this silliness. If your smart, use a used cup so you don’t waste the precious coffee!

Sliding anyone?

Who doesn’t like sliding? This easy elf on the shelf idea can be done with graham crackers, or really any cracker you have in your cupboard.

Helping Decorate

This one is easy and can be done with any cereal you have … although you have to remember elves do like sugar!

Your Elf on the Shelf LOVES sugar and cookies

Just like in the popular Christmas movie Elf, Elf on the Shelf loves sugar. There are so many easy Elf on the Shelf ideas that you can do just using the food you have around for the holidays.

Let your Elf on the Shelf go digital

There aren’t many kids who don’t love technology. To have their elf play some pranks using devices they will love it.

Build a fort

Every kid loves forts. A cat for is even better. When they are made for pets that makes it even more fun. Get creative, make one for your cat, dog, hamster or bird! If you don’t have any pets, you can always make one for your kids!

Let your Elf on the Shelf play with friends

If you have a kid then you have toys! Let your elf have fun with them! If your kids are like mine, they probably have toys hid they haven’t seen in awhile, take a moment to incorporate the toys they haven’t played with in awhile.