A Christmas Elf Moves In – Tips & Tricks for a Magical Holiday Season

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For five years now, a little Christmas elf has been visiting our home, keeping my kids and me on our toes throughout the holiday season. Our little elf girl delights my kids with magical tricks, fun challenges, and cheeky pranks.

If you’re planning to invite a Christmas elf into your home this year, here are my best tips & tricks to make your first elf Christmas an unforgettable experience!

Preparing for Your Elf’s Arrival

Before your little elf moves in, it’s helpful to think about a few practical things:

Where’s the Best Place for the Elf Door?

Choose a spot where your elf won’t be disturbed during everyday life — somewhere safe from vacuum cleaners, curious toddlers, or swinging chair legs! Great places include: Corners of rooms, Windowsills, Bookshelves, Dressers or sideboards.

What Should Your Elf’s Name Be?

Let your kids get creative! They can choose a name themselves, or you can have your elf introduce themselves in their first letter. This strengthens both imagination and emotional connection.

Elf Supplies for Beginners

What you’ll need depends on how elaborate you want your elf setup to be.
Personally, I love crafting — it relaxes me. In our first year, I made a lot of our elf accessories myself:

• A ladder from toothpicks and string
• Kitchen utensils and food from modeling clay
• A table from wine corks and popsicle sticks

Don't worry - that is absolutely not necessary!
For the start, just a few basic items are enough to get creative:

Basic Elf Equipment

• Elf door
• Mini boots or shoes
• (Knitted) ladder
• Mailbox
• Elf hat
• Elf letters (you can find printable templates here on the blog)

Mini-Tip: You can find ready-made elf starter sets at stores like Tedi, Action, or Woolworth, or in many craft shops. Here you will find a list with equipment for your elf.
If you prefer DIY, check out the blog All around Family for great ideas and free downloads!

(*The links marked with an asterisk (*) are affiliate links. I can recommend suitable products that do not cost you more and I receive a small commission that helps me finance my blog. Thank you!)

Tips for Parents

Planning Ahead

Before Advent begins, take a little time to plan what your elf will do during the season.
You don’t have to schedule every single day, but having a general outline helps — especially for tricks or pranks that need materials.

Some parents plan everything down to the day; others go with the flow.
Do whatever feels right for you and your family.

Does the Elf Need to Be Active Every Day?

Not at all!
Some families love daily elf surprises — others keep it simple.
If it starts feeling stressful, that’s totally fine. Even elves need a break! 😴

Your elf can:

• Do some household chores
• Rest up from a “cold”
• Go into the forest to collect firewood
• Or go on a little “elf trip” for a few days

That way, the magic stays alive without pressure.

Involve Your Children

Kids are naturally imaginative!
Encourage them to come up with their own ideas — maybe invent little tasks for the elf, write letters, or craft gifts.
It makes the elf experience even more personal and exciting.

The Elf Should Bring Joy, Not Fear

The Christmas elf tradition is full of wonder and imagination, but it should always stay child-friendly. Avoid pranks or scenarios that could scare your child — the goal is laughter and delight, not fear or pressure.

Take Photos!

Some of my favorite holiday photos are from moments when my kids discovered a new elf scene or opened one of the elf’s letters. Those reactions — wide eyes and giggles — are pure magic and make such beautiful memories!

Conclusion

A Christmas elf brings magic, laughter, and imagination into the holiday season — for kids and grown-ups alike.
Whether you craft everything yourself or buy a starter set, what matters most is the fun you have together.
Because in the end, that’s what it’s all about: magical family moments.

I wish you and your little ones a truly enchanting elf season!

Yours, Lia

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