For so many of us, the Elf on the Shelf has become a holiday tradition our kids love. But let’s be real—as much as we love seeing their little faces light up, coming up with a new idea every night can start to feel like a marathon! We've all been there—those late-night moments, frantically searching Pinterest and Instagram for inspiration, only to realize you’re fresh out of ideas (or energy) by December 8th.
That’s why three years ago, a group of us moms decided to do something about it. We launched our own “Mama Elf Fun” group, and let me tell you, it has completely transformed the Elf on the Shelf experience for all of us! Now, what was once a source of stress is one of the best parts of our holiday season. Here’s how we made it happen and how you can too.
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How the “Mama Elf Fun” Group Works
In our group, we gather around 8 to 10 moms, each taking on a couple of Elf days, instead of trying to come up with 24 new ideas by ourselves. Each of us picks two or three days in December to plan for the Elf, and we create a little scene, activity, or fun mischief idea for those nights. It takes so much pressure off each of us individually since we’re only responsible for a handful of nights rather than the entire month.
But we don’t stop there—oh no. To make it extra easy, we each put together the materials and instructions for every mom in the group. So, if one mom has the snow angel made from flour idea or a marshmallow bubble bath, she creates little kits for every family in the group. For each day throughout the month, everything you need is ready to go, and it’s as simple as opening a bag and setting up!
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The Meetup and Exchange Night
About a week before December 1st, we plan a meetup at a local brewery (a coffee shop works too) to swap our kits. Honestly, this night has become a holiday tradition in itself! We laugh, share ideas, and sip on drinks as we exchange each other’s hard work and creativity, packing our bags with a little holiday magic. Seeing what each mama comes up with is always so much fun, and we get excited thinking about how much our kids will love each other’s ideas. Shhh… we secretly look forward to this night as much as (or maybe more than!) the actual Elf days!
The Daily Group Chat: Our Secret Weapon
One of the best parts is our nightly group text. We share pictures, laughs, and occasionally ask for a quick reminder of who had what setup idea! It’s become a fun way to support each other and share our kids’ reactions. You know that feeling of catching up with mom friends who get it? This group chat brings that feeling every day in December!
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How to Start Your Own “Elf on the Shelf” Group
If this sounds like the answer to your Elf-on-the-Shelf prayers, here’s how to get started:
1. Find Your Group: Gather your mom or parent friends who are also into the Elf on the Shelf, or could be persuaded with the promise of less stress and more laughs! Don't have your own special group of moms friends just yet, this could be a great opportunity to reach out to local moms in your area to connect!
2. Create a Calendar: Choose your dates for December, assigning each mom a few days. We like using a shared calendar app so we can keep track of who’s responsible for which nights.
3. Put Together Your Activities: Come up with your fun Elf activity or scene and make little kits for each family. Think baggies labeled with each family’s name, with instructions and materials ready to go!
4. Plan the Exchange Night: Pick a fun spot to meet up, relax, and do the exchange. Add in some snacks, drinks, and lots of laughter—it’s the best part of the whole thing!
5. Have Some Elf Fun!: Enjoy the daily surprise of setting up someone else’s idea, and share the magic (and the hilarious moments) with your group.
Trust me, this has been one of the best ways to keep the Elf on the Shelf tradition fun and manageable. Our “Mama Elf Fun” group has truly become one of my favorite holiday traditions, and I hope you find the same joy in it with your friends. Happy elfing!
