Elf for Christmas

ad we were kindly gifted an elf and accessories for this review however all thoughts and opinions are my own

Christmas is a truly wonderful time of year. Filled with festive cheer, it is a time when many traditions are upheld. From writing letters to Santa to visiting the man himself, every family has their own ways of enjoying this jolly season.

One of the most modern traditions has something to do with elves, you may have seen a few of them floating around on social media.

A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of welcoming a new member to our elf family, the Elf for Christmas. This sort of present isn't primarily just for Christmas, it is in actual fact an Elf for December, especially if you partake in the tradition that is Elf on the Shelf (something that I'm now into my seventh year of joining in with.).

Now when I was sent my previous Elf for Christmas my children were informed that he was a new Nanny for our baby elf that had also arrived that year. Two years down the line and Nanny is still around - looking after our littlest elf as well as being a tad mischievous.

Elf on the Shelf 2017 Round Up 4

It's nearly time to say goodbye to our elves for another year but before we do here is a final weeks worth of ideas for you store ready for next years antics.

Day seventeen

The count down is on!

Elf on the Shelf 2017 Round Up 3

With just over a week to go until Christmas I'm ever so slightly excited at the prospect of presents, good food and time with family. Are you prepared or panicking right now? However while we wait the elf antics continue.

Day ten

These elves must be quiet as a mouse because they managed to change the kids bedding last night into something a little more festive and they didn't even notice!

Elf on the Shelf 2017 Round Up 2

Week two of the Christmas countdown and we're back with more inspiration for those mischievous elves. Have yours been naughty or nice so far?

Day three

Now I like to make my house festive but the elves have taken it a step further this year by making my bathroom Christmas ready too.

Elf on the Shelf 2017 Round Up 1

This is now my fifth year of taking part with Elf on the Shelf. Last year was slightly easier because my eldest daughter came to know that Santa isn't who she thought it was and this year my second eldest has come to the same realisation so I have another little helper. 

I have to admit coming up with new ideas and not repeating things has become trickier but I'm almost certain that I've managed it. I'll be posting a new round up every Saturday up til Christmas Eve so do keep checking back if you are in need of some elfspiration.

This post is a short one seen as December has only just begun but here are my ideas from day one and two of the festive countdown.

Day one

An Elf For Christmas - a Modern Family Tradition

For those of you that read my blog, you'll know that for the past four years I have partook in the tradition that is Elf on the Shelf and this year will be no different. The trouble is that with each year that passes, I struggle to come up with new ideas because lets be honest kids have fantastic memories and will soon point out to me that Buddy has previously done something.

Well this year I've had a little helping hand, some festive elfspiration if you will from those lovely people at An Elf For Christmas. Unique, these elves are cute yet mysterious and bring a real magical element to the Christmas season.

Elf on the Shelf 2016 Round Up 4

Can you believe it is Christmas Eve, the count down has come to end and so have the elf antics, keep reading to see my final Elf on the Shelf update of 2016. Did Buddy manage to be good this week?

Day seventeen

Buddy and Jovie were being extra nice today, bringing the girls a gift in the shape of Tom Fletcher's book The Christmasaurus.

Elf on the Shelf 2016 Round Up 3

Half way through December and Buddy hasn't been as well behaved as he was in previous weeks, seems he's turned into a bit of a cheeky monkey. Still this Elf on the Shelf is definitely entertaining the kids. My eldest who is well aware that this is all make believe is having fun helping me set up each days antics with me.

Day ten

Seems Jovie fancied a wrap, a Buddy wrap to be precise.

Elf on the Shelf 2016 Round Up 2

Hey everyone, 9 days into December and I have a cracker of an Elf on the Shelf round up for you, Buddy has been both kind and funny, so far he's kept his naughty antics to a minimum. Read on to see just what he's got up to this week..

Day three

The countdown has well and truly begun and Buddy and Jovie wanted to show that he was counting down the days too, not so bad as it meant there was a sweet treat for the girls to enjoy too.

Elf on the Shelf 2016 Round Up 1

Elf on the Shelf has become quite the tradition in our house as has me showing you all of our elf antics. This is our 4th year of doing this and I must say that coming up with new ideas is becoming somewhat tricky. I've decided to pop a post up every Friday with just what Buddy has been up to. Now it's only the 2nd of December so this round up will be short but do come back next week for another dose of elf inspiration.

Day one

Buddy came back to visit with a special delivery inside a special box....

Advent calendars for all the family and .... his new girlfriend Jovie.

Elf On The Shelf Round Up 4

It's Christmas Eve everybody!!! Are you ready? Well while you are waiting for the man in red to arrive why not check out my final Elf On The Shelf round up for 2015.

Day nineteen

Wonder what Buddy will be cooking?

Elf On The Shelf Round Up 3

Wow December is flying by!!! Time for yet another Elf On The Shelf round up for you all, has Buddy been good of has he been naughty?

Day twelve

A fun activity to do at the weekend.

Elf On The Shelf 2015 Round Up 2

We're back with another Elf On The Shelf round up, what has Buddy been up to over the last week?

Day five

We thought Buddy had got lost but turns out he was keeping warm in the airing cupboard.

Elf On The Shelf 2015 Round Up 1

For the past two years I have followed the Elf On The Shelf tradition for my children. It is so much fun watching their faces finding Buddy doing different things each day. This year is a little different for me because my eldest daughter has reached the point where she knows that Santa isn't real and has of course come to the realisation that the elf isn't quite as alive as initially thought. But this means she can help me this year.

So here we are with our first round up for this year…

Day one

Buddy came with gifts in the form of a book advent, they get to open up one each day in the lead up to Christmas

More Elf Antics

Another week closer to Christmas, less than a week to go, are you ready?? Whilst we get used to our new house, Buddy has been making himself at home…

Buddy wanted to leave a message for the girls, he just happened to make a mess of the bathroom whilst doing it.

Elf Update

Wow another week has flown by. I suppose it is time for another elf update, just what mischief has Buddy been getting himself into this week??

On day 6 it took a while to find Buddy, he'd managed to get himself into the fridge, obviously in need of a midnight snack.

Buddy Take Two

So Buddy has come back. Here to keep an eye on the kids and letting Santa know whether they've been naughty or nice.

Last month he sent a postcard announcing that he would indeed be returning and he came back with gifts.

Day one

Advent calendars for all and a surprise gift for Gracie to take in for her class mates, time to grow some candy canes!!

Lets Talk About Elves

We're past mid November so it is safe to talk about Christmas now. Festive traditions, we all have them and one of those Christmas traditions that we've adopted from America is Elf on the Shelf, it seems to be becoming more and more popular each year but is it another one of those things that we spend too much money on?

I done it for the first time last year and I had so much fun coming up with ideas for where our elf could be found each day and just what antics he'd be getting up to. This year I've joined a couple of boards on facebook and honestly I'm shocked at how much money everyone seems to be spending and I think this may start to put others off doing it.

It needn't be expensive.

You don't have to spend £30+ on getting the "correct" elf, I got mine for around £5 in ikea last year but it can be even cheaper than that if you know someone that is handy with a needle/hook and a ball of yarn.

Your elf doesn't have to be bring lots of gifts, infact he isn't expected to bring any. When you watch the Elf on the Shelf DVD you remember that the actual purpose of this activity is to keep your children believing in Santa Claus. If you want to add presents into the mix look to pound shops and charity shops for inspiration.

As for the elves mischievous antics, here are 25 simple ideas that won't cost you an arm and a leg.

Remembering Buddy

I know Christmas is over. It always finishes far too quickly so before I wave goodbye to it for another year, I thought I would look back on December, the month we were introduced to Buddy, that sometimes naughty little elf on a shelf.

Day 1 : Buddy arrived from the North Pole and with him 25 gifts to count down the days to Christmas, the girls later found out that each gift contained a new book to read.

Day 2 : Just so we could know him better, Buddy gave the girls an elf on the shelf DVD which was played repeatedly throughout the month.

Day 3 : Naughty Buddy was caught eating mine and Daddy Hazelden's advent calendar chocolates, we were less than impressed!!

Day 4 : I'm not sure whether he needed to blow his nose but lets just say a tad too much tissue was unraveled from the toilet roll that day.

Day 5 : Buddy redeemed himself slightly by wrapping the lounge door up, he ended up stuck in the sellotape which the girls found hilarious.

Day 6 : When we awoke we found a note from buddy which came complete with some elf seeds, Freya was sure they looked like green tic tacs but they later turned out to grow into candy canes so she was proved wrong ;)

Day 7 : Buddy got caught with scissors in hand making some stunning snowflake decorations.

Day 8 : This naughty little elf just couldn't help himself, getting drunk on golden syrup tut tut.

Day 9 : When we came downstairs we found a lovely scene, Buddy treated all his fellow Christmas buddies to a tea party.

Day 10 : We got to find out exactly what list Santa was putting the children on, to their relief they were all on the nice list, although by the end of that day I'm pretty sure that status had changed!!

Day 11 : Buddy was obviously getting lonely because we found him cosied up to one of the Monster High dolls having a lovely cotton wool bubbly bath.

Day 12 : We really should have taken better care of our elf because we never gave him a bed, he ended up sleeping in the tissue box.

Day 13 : The girls were treated to some Snowman soup (hot chocolate), I managed to persuade them that mummy needed some too.

Day 14 : Buddy was obviously chanelling his inner angel because we found him trying to climb to the top of the Christmas tree.

Day 15 : Obviously not content with his tissue box bed, Buddy managed to sneak his way into to bed with me.

Day 16 : Still in angel mode, Buddy was found making beautiful snow angels.

Day 17 : More gifts, some arts and crafts as well some whistle lollies for my eldest too to take in for their class mates, something the other parents would later curse me for, oops.

Day 18 : Buddy ordered some elf doughnuts from Krispy Kreme, who knew they made doughnuts so small.

Day 19 : I think he was as excited for Christmas as us, joining in with the countdown whilst abseiling down my blinds.

Day 20 : Last day of the school term and the girls were presented with instructions on how to make an elf breakfast.

Day 21 : Story time for the cuddly toys, must have been a good one because they were all very quiet.

Day 22 : Poor Buddy, all these antics made him a little run down, throat sweets, tissues and beechams at the ready.

Day 23 : I think I was more impressed with the gift that Buddy gave us, a stunning gingerbread house, complete with loads and loads of candy, including runts and nerds!!!

Day 24 : This was a sad day, Buddy was going back to the North Pole, as a parting gift, he left the girls with some reindeer food to sprinkle out on the lawn.

We are already looking forward to next December, wonder if the same elf will visit us again?

xxxx