Elf on the Shelf Survival Plan for Busy Moms

Are you ready for the Elf Survival Plan that will help you actually enjoy having an Elf on the Shelf in your home?

Keep reading to learn the 4 easy steps you need to take to rock your Elf this year.

Don’t worry the steps are super easy!

It takes just a little bit of your time to organize all your Elf on the Shelf ideas, accessories and plans.

You’re probably thinking that the Elf in the above photos looks kind of blah. That he isn’t doing anything too exciting.

That’s ok. It’s the point of this article!

These are examples of nights our elf, whose name is G by the way, almost didn’t move because I almost forgot about him.

My boys can be pretty forgiving if Elf G is just hanging out in a new spot the next morning. However, two mornings in a row and their eyes just don’t shine like they would if he had been zip-lining across our living room.

That’s why having an easy plan makes surviving Elf Season so much easier!

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Why an Elf Survival Plan?

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Most nights our Elf is mischievous or creative – because I remember him and still have energy when the last child is finally asleep.

Then there are the nights he simply moves to a new spot, perfectly content to just chill on the back of the toilet, hang onto a ceiling fan, or take a ride on a fire truck.

All perfectly acceptable Elf Things, just not super creative.

After enough mornings of my kids looking a little sad, the realization hit that a better plan for Elf G‘s evening adventures was needed.

Especially as my boys have gotten older! The “wow” factor needed to be considered after my boys are on year 5 of Elf antics.

After several years of winging it, I figured out a way for me to survive the month of December with an Elf in my home. Hopefully some of these ideas can help you survive it too.

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Need a fun Elf on the Shelf idea that’s also a free printable? Use our Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt printable!

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The First Step in the Elf Survival Plan

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I fall into the category of those who love the concept of the Elf, except for those nights when my eyes are almost closing and I realize that the little red guy hasn’t moved yet.

Out of bed the tired Mom springs to frantically search Pinterest for the easiest/quickest/simplest yet still fun elf antics she can find. Then begins the process of searching for “props” to pull off that midnight elf escapade.

At the beginning of our Elf tradition, this was me nightly.

Some nights this is still me because life is crazy.

However, I’ve fine-tuned my Elf Survival Plan and things typically run much smoother now.

#1 Remembering the ELF

One way to avoid the dreaded getting back out of bed scenario is by putting move the elf on your daily To-Do List App or Calendar. You can see an example above.

Of course there are other, easy ways for you to remember to move your Elf!

Ways to Remember to Move your Elf

• Use a To-Do App on your phone

• Set a phone reminder for at least an hour before your bedtime

• Have a friend who struggles with Elf Survival? Text each other nightly reminders! You’ll probably be able to snag some fun ideas from them too!

• Write it in your planner

• Place a sticky note somewhere you will see it every night – by your toothbrush, by the coffee pot if you prep it the night before, etc.  Be aware of kids learning the word ELF. – Possibly writing #supermom on the sticky note will be a good reminder to not only move the elf but that you are an awesome mom since you are committed to this Elf thing!

The Second Step in the Elf Survival Plan

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Once you have a plan for the first step of Elf Survival – REMEMBERING THE ELF – you need a solid plan for execution.

Not execution of the Elf… but of your plan.

Nothing zaps away those feelings of accomplishment at remembering to move the Elf, then skimming through Pinterest and realizing you have nothing “super cool” to use.

Your Elf might be ready to go fishing in the toilet, but you don’t have any goldfish.

Or you can’t grab your kids’ underwear so your Elf can decorate the tree with it because their drawer squeaks so bad it could wake the dead.

Putting the kids to bed and scanning Pinterest can lead to finding great ideas, but you might not have the things you need to pull it off.

So while you have all these amazing ideas, you aren’t prepared for the execution.

#2 Creating an Elf To-Do List/Cheat Sheet

So the second step is to create an Elf To Do List or Cheat Sheet. There are several ways to create this as well.

First, you could store it in your Planner or Christmas Binder.

Also, you could type it up in the notes section on your phone.

The below list was done over a few afternoons sitting in the school pick-up line by simply looking at Pinterest.

Creating an Elf Cheat Sheet

First, find a place to record all of the amazing things you are hoping for your elf to do. Some places include:

• Notes section in your phone

• Envelope you found on your car’s floor

• In your planner

• Piece of notebook paper

• Document on your laptop/computer

• Christmas Planner

• Our free printable, blank Elf on the Shelf Calendar

Now you will need to search for Elf on the Shelf ideas. Typically, a simple Pinterest or Google search can provide you with tons of them.

Finally, write down all the ideas you love and that will work for your family.

The Third Step of the Elf Survival Plan

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When you feel like you have a good list put together, simply go through it and make a note of what you have on hand.

You’ll also want to write down what you need to buy or find to create those magical Elf moments.

If you are still stuck with finding ideas, make sure you check out our Elf on the Shelf Accessories & Clothes Guide.

Once you know what you will be needing – Go ahead and find it or buy it!

#3 Gather all your Supplies

So when it’s been a crazy night of practices, homework, and Christmas concerts, you will be ready with all your supplies.

Again, once you have a good list of ideas going, make sure you organize – make, buy or find – the items you will need.

Elf Survival Plan – The Last Step

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We are almost done. This step is actually the easiest; I promise!

Once you have all the Elf outfits and props you need to put them in one place. This part seems simple and skippable, but it is so important.

Know something else that’s important to put in your “Elf Box” – our Magical Elf Tongs for Moving your Elf! Click here to learn more about how they convince your kids it’s ok for you to move the Elf if needed.

#4 Organize the Elf Accessories

There’s no point in buying an item and then not being able to locate it when you really need it.

This advice is from someone who has searched late at night through numerous Amazon boxes for a hot-coco mug the size of a quarter.

This box is like the Elf’s little apartment in your home. A secret place, full of his outfits & accessories.

If you worry your kids might find the Elf Apartment, we have a solution for that.

If they do stumble upon it, tell them that Santa sends it the first night the Elf arrives so that he doesn’t have to carry all the stuff in the cold & snowy North Pole weather.

Now, decide if you are going to add the food or candy items to your Elf’s box. I personally hold off on the food and candy treats, but our Elf box is stored in our cold garage.

The best part about this is that every year your Elf box will have more and more options.

Those sparkly pom-poms surrounding the monster trucks, well they have worked well for snowball fights and general destruction by your Elf.

So that is pretty much the Elf Survival Plan!

As a recap of the plan:

1. Find a way to REMIND yourself to REMEMBER the Elf
2. Create a CHEAT SHEET of fun ideas
3. GATHER, FIND or BUY all the things you will need
4. Finally, place everything in the ELF APARTMENT

Also, don’t forget about our other helpful Elf articles! Make sure you print out your free Elf on the Shelf Calendar & take a peek at our Elf Accessories Guide.

Hopefully having a plan for your Elf will help you, as it did me, enjoy the Elf on the Shelf a little more this Christmas.

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