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Home » Blog » Holidays » Christmas » Elf on the Shelf » 12 Last Minute and Free Elf on the Shelf Ideas

12 Last Minute and Free Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Nov 10, 2020 · Modified: Jan 5, 2023 by Pam Dana · This post may contain affiliate links · 19 Comments

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Here are 12 Last Minute or Free Elf on the Shelf Ideas that either need no supplies or things you probably already have laying around the house. No more panic needed when you forget to plan something else!

12 Last Minute or Free Elf on the Shelf Ideas for those nights when we forget until we're going to bed! From www.overthebigmoon.com!

SIMPLE ELF IDEAS

Throughout Elf season, there are always those days where it’s time for bed and you don’t have an idea or plan for your Elf on the Shelf. No worries though, I’ve got you covered! Here are 12 Last-Minute or Free Elf on the Shelf Ideas that either need no supplies or things you probably already have laying around the house. Most of these ideas are relatively fast too!

If you are still needing ideas, be sure and check out my post with 25 Quick and Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas that take under 5 minutes! I also have a ton of fun Elf on the Shelf Free Printables that are worth checking out! For a preview watching the video below!

LAST MIN ELF PRINTABLES

I also wanted to quickly mention that I have some Free Printable Elf on the Shelf ideas. I highly suggest printing off a few sets to have on hand for any other nights that you are scrambling and need a quick idea!
  • Elf on the Shelf Good Deed Cards
  • Free Printable Elfisms
  • Elf Joke Cards

LAST MINUTE ELF ON THE SHELF IDEAS

 An elf on the shelf sitting by a mini countdown chain hanging on a wall!

Make a Mini Countdown using some cardstock or paper! Kids love this idea because they get to continue to take rings off the countdown all the way until Christmas!

An Elf on a tupperware lid, sledding down a stair banister.

Sledding Elf! If you don’t have an actual elf-sized elf, no worries! Just use a Tupperware lid or a frisbee! Idea from Crazy Lou Creations

An Elf on the Shelf in a paper airplane by a window.

Take 1 minute and channel your inner child to fold a paper airplane! If you have the time, it’s fun to draw on it and write the name of your Elf on the side! Then stage your Elf laying in it, near a window!

An Elf sitting by a white porcelain nativity.

Elf worshiping Jesus! If you have a Nativity in your home, have your Elf jump into the Nativity scene! Idea from Ten Cow Chick.

An Elf sitting on top of a mirror that says Smile! Be Good Today in lipstick.

Message on the Mirror from your Elf! Grab some lipstick and write a message from the Elf on your bathroom mirror! Idea from Come Together Kids.

An Elf sitting on a countertop cutting snowflakes out of paper. He's holding scissors with blue handles.

Naturally, all Elves love snowflakes, so it only makes sense that they love making snowflakes too! Make some snowflakes using paper and stage your Elf next to them with some scissors! Idea from Yvette’s Photos on Flicker.

An elf sitting on a coloring page coloring.

Grab a Christmas themed coloring page and stage your Elf coloring the picture!

A hand full of mini Hershey Kisses made from chocolate chips. A hand is holding one of them.

Make mini Hershey kisses with chocolate chips, foil, and Kleenex. You can stage them around your Elf! Idea from Maya Made.

www.pinterest.com

Elves Rule, Gnomes Drool signs! My kids got a kick out of this idea! Just make the signs and stage your Elf by them!

IMG_1717

Hang some underwear from your fireplace or on your Christmas tree! Then put your tree in the underwear! Kids get a kick out of this funny idea! Idea by Small Town City.

An Elf laying in the silverware drawer.

Generally we stage our Elf in plain sight, so I loved watching my kids scramble looking for Jasper. Then they went to get a spoon to eat their cereal with and viola there he was!

An elf sitting on a table with a sign that says Elf on Strike. Then next to the elf, there's a note that ays "Please listen to your Mommy & Daddy - Cleo"

If your kids have been naughty, this is a silly and playful little way to try and get them to be nicer! Just make a quick Strike sign out of paper and a straw.

One more way to make the Elf Season simple is to buy a few fun Elf Accessories! I literally just change their outfit and put them in the center of our kitchen island a few times each year! Just click the link — Elf on the Shelf Outfits and Accessories Shopping Guide.

I hope these ideas help you simplify your Elf Season!

* This post was originally published in October 2011 and has been updated with more detailed step-by-step instructions and new pictures.

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If you love these ideas, then don’t forget to pin the image below!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. rebeeka white

    September 14, 2019 at 10:37 pm

    hi lisa i want to buy the “ultimate elf” , do you give deliver in india.

    Reply
    • Lisa

      December 06, 2022 at 8:25 pm

      I ´ m sorry it took forever (as in years to respond)but I ´ m so sorry no we don ´ t :c

      Reply
      • Braydon

        December 08, 2022 at 7:09 pm

        Hi

        Reply
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    June 30, 2019 at 3:16 am

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    June 30, 2019 at 3:15 am

    All the ideas are so charming,Great post.

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    April 27, 2019 at 8:16 am

    I really like and appreciate your work. The points you have mentioned in this article are useful. I must try to follow these points and also share others.

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  5. Dianne

    November 30, 2017 at 1:23 pm

    Hi there,

    I have made repeated attempts at purchasing your EOTS e-book and it will not accept my method of payment/visa; might this be because I am Canadian and perhaps you do not accept international methods of payment? Any altetnative suggestion as to how I could go about doing so?

    Reply
    • Pam Dana

      November 30, 2017 at 3:20 pm

      I see that the order went through! Let me know if you need anything else! Thanks so much!

      Reply
  6. Jamie

    November 30, 2017 at 10:16 am

    Great ideas! Our elf will make her appearance tomorrow so I need to come up with a few ideas quickly!

    Reply
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    March 06, 2017 at 11:48 pm

    All the ideas are so charming,Great post

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    March 06, 2017 at 11:21 pm

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  13. Ava Eakins

    December 27, 2015 at 9:03 am

    That was cool I just did one and we taped it to the wall and put army soldiers around it

    Reply
  14. Beverly Baughman Cravath

    December 08, 2014 at 8:38 am

    These are cute ideas. I do good to remember to move the thing! Ours just hides somewhere up high–the top of a cabinet, peeking out of a lamp shade, etc.

    Reply
  15. Alyssa

    November 19, 2013 at 1:16 am

    My daughter is only 1 but I am planning on hopefully getting an elf at after christmas sale or next year and “starting the tradition” next year. I think it is so fun.

    Reply
  16. Kami Brough Kilgore

    November 06, 2013 at 7:53 pm

    These are adorable ideas! My daughter is still pretty little, but I’m tempted to get her an elf this year. It’s such a fun little tradition.

    Reply

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Welcome! I’m Pam, a mom of 3 and a lover of reading, TV, the sun, and Mexican food! Here I love sharing easy everyday recipes, printables, Cricut crafts, holiday fun, and kids activities! Learn more about me over on my About Page or on Instagram! Have a fantastic day!

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