Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. News

What is Elf on the Shelf?

25 hiding spots to get you started. - by Eunice Oh
  • 01 Dec 2021

Whether it's putting up the Christmas tree or hanging a wreath on your front door, every family has their own Christmas traditions they celebrate in the lead up to Christmas.

WATCH: How to make your own Aussie Christmas tree

Have you spotted the Elf on the Shelf at the shops and always wondered what it was? The skinny Elf, donning a red Christmas suit, has become a classic Christmas tradition for many families, especially with young children.

Elf on the shelf tree

What is Elf on the Shelf?

Scout Elves help Santa take care of his Naughty or Nice List by watching over families in their homes to ensure that everyone is on their best behaviour! Every night, the Elf reports back to the North Pole to keep Santa updated - and each morning, the Elf returns to the family home that they're monitoring, hiding in a new spot and awaiting the kids to find them.

Where the tradition came from?

Originally, the Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition that started from a book of the same name back in 2005. Like an Advent calendar, the Elf on the Shelf usually begins on December 1.

How do you play Elf on the Shelf?

If you're starting Elf on the Shelf for the first time, you can either read the book or explain the concept to your children. Once you've introduced your Elf to the family, the hide and seek begins. Pick a new place to "hide" the Elf every day. Each morning, the games reset and kids will look around the house to find your Elf - but it's important that they leave the Elf where he is without disturbing him because he's hard at work spying on Santa's behalf.

Depending on the age of your children, the Elf doesn't have to be well concealed in high bookshelves or places that will be hard to spot. The older your children are, the more you can make it more of a challenge.

Hiding elf

25 ideas on where to hide your Elf:

  1. Hanging off a branch on your Christmas Tree
  2. On top of your fireplace near your other Christmas decor
  3. Camouflaged in a glass cabinet or cupboard
  4. Concealed within your Christmas wreath, or hanging upside down performing as a gymnast
  5. On top of a dresser, or in a drawer that your kids frequently open
  6. Wrapped in a toilet roll and rolling down the stairs
  7. Fill your bathroom sink with cotton balls for Elf to have a little bath
  8. Have a spare phone? Get Elf taking some selfies
  9. Up to mischief and wedged in between the blinds
  10. When you set up your breakfast table, have Elf armed with a knife and fork ready to tuck in
  11. Take the labels off some cans and have Elf playing a makeshift drum set
  12. To tempt your kids to eat their lunch, have Elf hanging out of their lunchbox
  13. Keep Elf warm and toasty by wedging Elf in between two pieces of toast
  14. Gather dolls and plushies and have Elf busking in your home
  15. Have Elf walking the dogs by making a few yarn leashes around your favourite paw patrol figurines
  16. Open a few books and have Elf reading to the kids
  17. Build a play pen with Lego and throw in some plastic balls for Elf's own ball pit
  18. Give your Elf a job as a mechanic. Using a toy car that's around Elf's size, have Elf take a look under the car
  19. Set up a few bowl of popcorn, chips and lollies and have Elf hosting a movie night
  20. Throw some flour onto your kitchen counter and have Elf making a snow angel
  21. Set up a mini beach scene with a towel, sunscreen and sunnies
  22. Pop elf between the juice and milk in your fridge to surprise the kids at breakfast
  23. A cutlery drawer is the perfect size for Elf to lie down in
  24. Utilise the shower curtains in the bathroom and have Elf hooked onto the top
  25. Who doesn't love a cuppa? Have Elf enjoying a cup of tea through a straw

Where you can buy your own Elf on the Shelf:

1. The Elf on the Shelf boy, $59.99, Myer

The Elf on the Shelf BOY Skin

This boxed set has everything needed to get started on your own Elf on the Shelf tradition. It includes: an Scout Elf, storybook and a keepsake box.

2. The Elf on the Shelf girl, $59.99, Myer

The Elf on the Shelf girl

There's also a girl version of the exact set above with the same contents, just with a girl elf instead. Perfect for the little girl in your life!

3. Elf pets arctic fox, $49.99, Myer

Elf pets arctic fox, $49.99, Myer

Your child will love cuddling up to this adorable arctic fox plushie and reading the beautifully illustrated storybook.

4. Magnet set and Christmas countdown calendar, $21.28, Amazon

Magnet Set and Christmas Countdown Calenda4

Bring The Elf on the Shelf to your fridge thanks to this nifty magnetic set. The included Christmas countdown is also magnetic as well!

5. The Elf on the Shelf snow globe, $21.81, Kogan

The Elf on the Shelf Snow Globe

For a nice touch to your fireplace. sit this precious snow globe alongside your other Christmas stocking and decor.

We'd love to see where your hiding your elf, share your pics with us using #bhgaus on instagram.

You may also like:

What is a Christmas Eve box?

Best Christmas baubles in Australia 2021

The 15 toys your kids will want for Christmas this year

  • News
  • Decorating
  • Christmas Decorating, Tips & Traditions
Eunice Oh

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

24 show-stopping Christmas dessert recipes

24 show-stopping Christmas dessert recipes

This mum’s Christmas Kmart hack is next level

This mum’s Christmas Kmart hack is next level

10 of the best Christmas advent calendars of 2021

10 of the best Christmas advent calendars of 2021

8 ways to decorate the outside of your house with Christmas lights

8 ways to decorate the outside of your house with Christmas lights

{headline}

{headline}

My Festive Spin To Make Christmas Special This Year

My Festive Spin To Make Christmas Special This Year

10 Christmas plants for your garden

10 Christmas plants for your garden

11 best Advent calendars for foodies

11 best Advent calendars for foodies

{headline}

{headline}

Christmas table decorations that will impress your guests

Christmas table decorations that will impress your guests

How to play Christmas family trivia

How to play Christmas family trivia

9 matching Christmas pyjamas for the whole family

9 matching Christmas pyjamas for the whole family

22 best Christmas gifts for cooks for 2021

22 best Christmas gifts for cooks for 2021

5 Christmas-themed tea towels that ring in the festive spirit

5 Christmas-themed tea towels that ring in the festive spirit

The 4 new looks for Christmas decorations at Big W

The 4 new looks for Christmas decorations at Big W

You can now buy mini Santa hats for chickens this Christmas

You can now buy mini Santa hats for chickens this Christmas

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription