Aspen the Elf first showed up in my house six years ago when my daughter was almost a year old. The Elf on the Shelf has been a holiday tradition for my family since that time. Aspen has had fun hiding around the house for my kids to find starting on December 1. She even followed us to and from New York two years ago, hitching a ride in our van during her travels!
When Aspen first arrived in her box with her book during our first Christmas season with her, her hands were sewn together, so she was able to hang on her own and sit with her hands in her lap. I eventually clipped the sewing on her hands to allow her arms to move freely and give her more mobility. Last year I made her even more posable by sewing mirror hanging wire into arms and legs. I carefully removed a few stitches in the seams of her hands and feet, inserted the wire, and stitched the opens back up again. For the full instructions for my Elf on the Shelf hack, check out my Elf on the Shelf Hack to Make Bendable Arms and Legs (Plus Elf on the Shelf Ideas).
Family-Friendly Elf on the Shelf Ideas
The Elf and the School Room Lights
On December 1 last year, Aspen the Elf attempted to hang red, green, and white lights in our school room but ended up stringing the lights over the table and around some chairs.
The Elf and the Candy Cane Chain
On December 2 last year, Aspen the Elf constructed a chain of candy canes and rappelled from a cabinet in our kitchen.
On December 3 last year, Aspen the Elf constructed a swing from candy canes and hung from the lights in our hallway.
The Elf and the Toilet Paper Fort
On December 4 last year, Aspen the Elf made a fort of toilet paper rolls on the back of our toilet.
On December 5 last year, Aspen the Elf tucked herself into bed in a tissue box complete with a tissue blanket and pillow.
The Elf in the Fridge
On December 6 last year, Aspen the Elf wrapped herself in a bamboo wash cloth to keep herself warm in the refrigerator.
The Elf in the Shutters
On December 7 last year, Aspen the Elf hid in the shutters on our kitchen window.
The Elf and the Garland on the Bathroom Lights
On December 8 last year, Aspen the Elf hung red garland on my bathroom lights and got herself tangled up.
On December 9 last year, Aspen the Elf hid among the lights decorating our unused fireplace.
The Elf Hanging on the Christmas Lights
On December 10 last year, Aspen the Elf hung upside down on the lights hanging in our hallway.
The Elf and the Cat Treat Container
On December 11 last year, Aspen the Elf hid inside a container of cat treats.
On December 12 last year, Aspen the Elf hauled her own miniature Christmas tree onto our kitchen table using a miniature dump truck.
The Elf in the Magnetic Block House
On December 13 last year, Aspen the Elf built herself a small house from magnetic blocks.
The Elf in the Fruit Basket
On December 14 last year, Aspen the Elf tucked herself among the clementine oranges in our fruit basket.
The Elf in the Lighted Peacock
On December 15 last year, Aspen the Elf hid in our lighted Christmas peacock.
The Elf and the Candy Cane Rope
On December 16 last year, Aspen the Elf rappelled from our dining room light on a rope of candy canes.
The Elf and the Holiday Shower Curtain
On December 17 last year, Aspen the Elf rappelled from our holiday shower curtain using a chain of candy canes.
The Elf on the Curtains
On December 18 last year, Aspen the Elf hung around our living room curtains on a candy cane rope.
The Elf and the Menorah
On December 19 last year, Aspen the Elf snuggled up under our menorah in preparation for Hanukah.
The Elf and the Paper Snowflakes
On December 20 last year, Aspen the Elf hung paper snowflakes from the light in our dining room.
The Elf and the Yarn
On December 21 last year, Aspen the Elf attempted to decorate our hallway with yarn but got herself all tangled up.
The Elf and the Mitten
On December 22 last year, Aspen the Elf snuggled in a mitten on the Christmas wreath on our front door.
The Elf and the Miniature Wreath
On December 23 last year, Aspen the Elf attempted to hang a miniature wreath on our bathroom mirror, but her suction cup lost its grip, and she ended up dozing behind the faucet all day.
The Elf and the Reindeer Food
On December 24 last year, Aspen the Elf brought a bag of reindeer food for my kids to sprinkle outside on Christmas Eve in preparation for Santa.
For even more ideas for posing your Elf, check out four more years of the Christmas adventures of Aspen the Elf.
- The Elf in the Christmas Tree
- The Elf on Elmo
- The Elf with the Peanuts Gang
- The Elf on the Record Player
- The Elf on the Baby Swing
- The Elf on the Mantel
- The Elf on the Miniature Christmas Tree
- The Elf on the Bookshelf
- The Elf on the Cat Tree
- The Elf on the Advent Wreath
- The Elf on the Christmas Gift
- The Elf in the Crib
- The Elf by the Baby Pool
- The Elf on the Rocking Horse
- The Elf on the Wrapping Paper
- The Elf on the Baby Shampoo
- The Elf in the Sleep Sack
- The Elf in the Moose Mug
- The Elf with Snoopy
- The Elf in the Ball Pit
- The Elf with the Bubble Lights
- The Elf on the Pantry Door
- The Elf Under the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree
- The Elf on the Teddy Bear
- The Elf Returns to Santa
- The Elf and the Elf Donuts
- The Elf and the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree
- The Elf and the Peacock
- The Elf and the Harry Potter Figurines
- The Elf in the Freezer
- The Elf in the White Christmas Tree
- The Elf on the Christmas Lights
- The Elf on the Cloth Diapers
- The Elf on the Stockings
- The Elf on the Drum Set
- The Elf on the Christmas Wreath
- The Elf on the Measuring Cups
- The Elf and the Peanuts Gang
- The Elf on the Musical Wreath
- The Elf on Snoopy
- The Elf on the Christmas Duck-oration Wreath
- The Elf in the Refrigerator
- The Elf on the Shutters
- The Elf on the Lights
- The Elf and the Elmo Ornament
- The Elf on the Cabinet Drawer
- The Elf on the Hallmark Sled
- The Elf in the Stand Mixer
- The Elf on the Christmas Star
- The Elf and the Santa Snoopy
- The Elf and the Book
- The Elf and the Lighted Wreath
- The Elf and the Fridge
- The Elf Stuck to the Wall
- The Elf and the Christmas Village
- The Elf Swinging on the Christmas Lights
- The Elf on the Ceiling Fan
- The Elf and the Baby Fence
- The Elf on the Chandelier
- The Elf and the Shutters
- The Elf on the Popcorn Strand
- The Elf on the Christmas Wreath
- The Elf in the Christmas Tree
- The Elf on the Shower Curtain
- The Elf on the Advent Calendar
- The Elf on the Measuring Cup Hook
- The Elf on the Key Rack
- The Elf on the Fireplace
- The Elf on the Tinker Toy Chair
- The Elf in the Elf Tree
- The Elf on the Baby Gate
- The Elf on the Freezer
- The Elf on the Baby Swing
- The Elf and the Reindeer Food
- The Elf and the Christmas Lights
- The Elf and the Cat Tree
- The Elf and the Curtain Rod
- The Elf and the TV
- The Elf and the Refrigerator
- The Elf Sleeping in the Christmas Tree
- The Elf on the Kitchen Cabinet
- The Elf and the Tissues
- The Elf and the Linen Closet
- The Elf and the Circuit Breaker Box
- The Elf and the Coat Hook
- The Elf and the Microwave
- The Elf and the Bathroom Lights
- The Elf and the Lamp
- The Elf and the Door Chain
- The Elf and the Silverware Drawer
- The Elf and the Peppermint Ice Cream
- The Elf and the Seatbelt
- The Elf and the Van Door
- The Elf and the Scotch Tape
- The Elf and the Small Christmas Tree
- The Elf and the Thumbtacks
- The Elf and the Green Light
- The Elf with the Reindeer Food
Which is your favorite Elf hiding spot?
Image Credits
More Family-Friendly Elf on the Shelf Ideas © 2017 Heather Johnson
Elf on the Shelf Hack to Make Bendable Arms and Legs © 2016 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the School Room Lights © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Candy Cane Chain 1 © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Candy Cane Chain 2 © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Candy Cane Swing © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Toilet Paper Fort 1 © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Toilet Paper Fort 2 © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Tissue Bed © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf in the Fridge © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf in the Shutters © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Garland on the Bathroom Lights 1 © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Garland on the Bathroom Lights 2 © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf in the Lighted Fireplace © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf Hanging on the Christmas Lights © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Cat Treat Container 1 © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Cat Treat Container 2 © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Mini Christmas Tree in the Truck © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf in the Magnetic Block House © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf in the Fruit Basket © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf in the Lighted Peacock © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Candy Cane Rope © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Holiday Shower Curtain © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf on the Curtains © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Menorah © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Paper Snowflakes © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Yarn © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Mitten © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Miniature Wreath © 2017 Heather Johnson
The Elf and the Reindeer Food © 2017 Heather Johnson