Making Elf on the Shelf magic!
The Magic of Personalizing Elf on the Shelf Traditions
The Elf on the Shelf has become one of those beloved holiday traditions that families everywhere look forward to. For many, it’s the perfect addition to Santa’s story, bringing that extra sprinkle of magic to the Christmas season. I’ll be honest though, when I first heard about it, I was a bit nervous. The idea of hiding elves every night, coming up with creative scenes, and keeping it all fun without driving myself crazy felt like a lot. I know I’m not alone in feeling this way so many parents have mixed feelings about the tradition.
For some, it can seem like an added stress during an already busy time of year. But here's the thing: it doesn't have to be a big production every night. It’s about intentionality. Over the years, I’ve found that when I tailor the elf's antics to reflect what’s already going on in our lives, it feels less like a chore and more like an opportunity to create meaningful moments with my kids.
Take, for example, the night my son had his choir concert. Instead of scrambling for a clever scene, I made the elves match the choir shirts the kids would wear, and set them up wishing him good luck. It wasn’t overly complicated, but it was personal. And when I saw the joy on my son’s face when he found the elves, I realized that those small, intentional touches made the tradition even more special. I also loved adding a little extra meaning by having the elves “pray” for him he’d asked me to pray with him for something, so why not make it part of the elf magic?
For me, these personalized moments are what make Elf on the Shelf so wonderful. It’s not just about the silly antics or elaborate setups (though those can be fun too!). It’s about tying the tradition into the lives, hopes, and dreams of your children. When the elves are present in a way that resonates with your family's unique story whether it’s wishing good luck, celebrating a big win, or just being part of something that matters it transforms into something truly meaningful.
So, how can you make your Elf on the Shelf tradition work in a way that sparks joy and connection? Here are a few of the ways I've personalized the tradition in our house:
1 Reflecting Their Interests: If your child is into sports, have the elves try their hand at playing a game! For my son, the elves once set up a little basketball challenge, complete with mini hoops and a ball. It was simple, but it spoke directly to his passion.
2 Celebrating Milestones: Just like I did for the choir concert, if your child has a big event be it a dance recital, school play, or a big test let the elves acknowledge it. This not only builds excitement for the event, but it shows your child that you see and value their hard work.
3 Spreading Gratitude and Kindness: One of my favorite moments was when the elves helped us come up with ideas for random acts of kindness. They left little notes encouraging my kids to do something kind for others that day whether it was helping a friend, donating a toy, or just saying something nice.
4 Making It About Connection: If there’s something your child is going through emotionally or spiritually, bring that into the mix. Whether it's a prayer request or a supportive note from the elves, it can be such a beautiful way to help your child feel heard and loved during a busy and sometimes overwhelming season.
I’ll be honest, there have been nights where I’ve had to come up with something last minute, but the best moments have come from being intentional and thoughtful in my approach. The work is still there, yes, but it doesn’t feel overwhelming when it comes from a place of love and connection.
When the elves finally “leave” for the season, I want my kids to remember not just the goofy stunts, but the way we made it special to them. It’s all about creating memories that will last and making the tradition something that fits seamlessly into your family’s rhythm.
If this post inspires you to add a little extra magic to your Elf on the Shelf routine, I’d love to hear about how you make it personal for your family. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect it just needs to be meaningful.
