Elf on the shelf, when do you start yours?

[MamaPizza]

Does everyone start on the 1st or earlier? I am too impatient and want to start a week earlier

[wizzler]

1st December for us ..

[MamaPizza]

Thanks for replying wizzler. The 'problem' I have is (I know it's not a problem...) that I have far too many ideas on what to do. Got a spreadsheet et al. Could fit them all in if I started a week earlier. Otherwise I have to ditch some which would make me very, very sad.

[missmapp]

What is elf on the shelf???!!

[iloveholidays]

Oooh... Share ideas mama.

I'm planning on starting on the 1st. He's going to arrive with the advent calendar and a DVD. Very excited

[MamaPizza]

The DVD arrived with my amazon parcel today, our Elf will bring it when he arrives.

I just took ideas from various pininterest and blogs.

In no particular order:

1: Pee in the loo
2: Teaparty with other toys
3: Hang over one of the fishtanks (maybe with a straw as snorkel) and watch fish
4: Raid the adventcalendar
5: Colour in a page in a Christmas colouring book with a message
6: In a Sweetjar, most sweets eaten
7: In the shower with towel wrapped around
8: Take pictures with Kiddizoom
9: Riding dinosaurs (the big brachiosaurus will be ideal for this)
10: Snowball fight Mr Potato Head (Snowballs = Marshallows)
11: Build a tower / castle with Duplo blocks
12: Deliver 'magic seeds' with instructions to water them for three days - lollipops will appear after the 3rd day
13: Fly paper airplanes through the living room
14: Build a tree with post it notes
15: Wear mummy's jewellery and admire self in mirror
15: Fill room with balloons
15: wrapped up in Christmas paper, hanging on tree
16: Have a cinema night with other toys watching the Elf story (popcorn et al)
17: Do acrobatics on the light
18: Read story to other toys
19: Slide down the stair rail, maybe competition style with other toys
20: Create some nice things with Playdoh
21: Build a racetrack with food tins and have a race
22: Visit the Happyland zoo / farm / rocket (one of them)
23: Ride on the Train (Brio)
24: Make loads of stars and paper chains and decorate the room
25: Stick stickers over self, other toys and other random objects
26: Play cards poker style with Toy Story toys

This were the ones I have narrowed it down to, but there are other things I'd like to do. DS is only 3, so wouldn't have a clue about dates hence I'm thinking of starting early.

Tempted to do a blog on this, would be fun.

[AllOverIt]

Wow! Ours is arriving on the 1st. DS's birthday is on the 8th so we don't have decorations up until the 9th. He'll arrive with the advent calendars...

So excited. Going to shamefully steal some of your ideas...

[MamaPizza]

I stole the ideas from the net, so feel free to use them . Some are obviously very 'us' related, like the fish tank one, but everyone will probably come up with their own ideas.

I got no birthday to look forward to, I want it to be Christmas NOW!!!

[MrsChristmasVamos]

Hello, Mama !

It's been a while, can you believe it's nearly Christmas ?!

[WhatWouldWitchesDo]

Mama, do you not need to save some ideas for the following few years?

In answer to your OP, we will start on the first of December, though I do know some in America start after Thanksgiving the week before.

[iloveholidays]

Thanks Mama going to have to jot some of these down. :)

DD3 due next Friday so I'm trying to get as organised as possible. DD1 is 3.9 so I know she'll love it and want to start our traditions. Need easy ideas as will be exhausted but also important I make a fuss for DD1. DD2 will be 21 months so will enjoy copying/following her big sister but doubt she'll get that involved in the build up. So excited!!!!

[MamaPizza]

MrsChristmasVamos Are you Mrs DB? (sorry for being confused)

I think I have stop myself and start properly on the 1st, so I have ideas for the following years. I like the idea of being American, but you are right, need to save some good ideas.

I'm sure your DD2 will also enjoy it Ilove. Hope all goes well with the new baby soon.

Will deffo start a blog, stay tuned

[MamaPizza]

Oh, and missmapp, just do a search here on MN and / or google Elf on the shelf. You can buy them on Amazon for example, but be warned, they come with a hefty pricetag. Will be worth it though, so much fun in the run up.

[buzzgirly]

Our elf, Jimmy, is officially arriving on 1st December, but he did come last night for a quick visit whilst dd was sleeping! We took some pictures of him sitting in her bed while she was asleep. Dd was looking at photos on iPad this morning and was so excited to see him.

Tonight we will be having fairies visit. I will cut up some glow sticks and empty them into a glass jar with some glitter, saw it on pinterest. We will leave it in garden for dd to find when we come back from our walk.

I know I'm getting a bit carried away, but I am so excited for Christmas this year!

[StrawberrytallCAKE]

This is our first elf on the shelf year and I'm very excited, great ideas! I bought a girl from the book depository for around £20...cheaper than amazon and they only had one option of elf.

Dd2 is due on 3rd December so will have to have a set plan and leave it for dh to follow when I'm too tired/in hospital.

[MamaPizza]

How lovely! It's our first visit, so DS won't know him yet, but I love how you are getting yourself and your DD excited before his official arrival.

[StrawberrytallCAKE]

Oh yes And we'll start 1st December.

[buzzgirly]

Have you seen this advert for Elf on the Shelf? We show it to dd to get her excited. It has a very annoying catchy soon which we end up singing all day.

Yes I know I am an elf addict

[buzzgirly]

Oops that should say catchy song!

[MrsChristmasVamos]

Mama

You clever thing, you !

I was sure I'd 'seen' you and you knew my new nn ?

Ah well, you do now !

When do we start the countdown, is it too early yet ?

[MamaPizza]

I found yesterday. Love the names the people have

Mrs, there is a countdowners thread! Join us again! And we will do daily countdowns from the 1st.

[janji]

Bump!

[MrsChristmasVamos]

There is already a countdowners thread, and I'm late ?

Mind you, am I right in thinking we did start one on 26th Dec last year ?

I'll find it...can't wait for the 1st Dec, though.

[izzywizzyisbizzy]

Ours also - papered DCs in their room (stuck them to wall)
Decorated house with toilet paper
Crashed car into hedge toy story style
Had a midnight feast (made DCs cry bad idea)
Tried to escape on a helium balloon (closed window on string balloon outside)
Were found in a parcel with a new Christmas book
Stole older DCs keyboard and had a concert
Made a terrible mess trying to make breakfast
Brought christmas Choccy
Mmmmmmm have a photo diary on FB - I'll look - don't have official elf on shelves though.

[izzywizzyisbizzy]

They went for a ride on a playmobil boat in the bath
Flew on dragons from the lights
Brought Christmas Jamas

They also came lots of places with u's - didn't like the don't touch rule

[FreddoBaggyMac]

We started last year and it's fabulous Our elf arrives on 25th November as I think it's better to spread things out as much as possible (I love Christmas!!) The elf delivers the advent calendars on dec 1st.