I am sure by now the Elf on the Shelf has come to your house, right? You are scrambling for what to do each and every day and some mornings you might even wake up panicked because you forgot to move your elf and make some extravagant presentation. Instead of the naughty behavior and silly pranks, let your elves be “kindness elves” and spread the joy of Christmas my challenging your child to an act of kindness.
Christmas Elves: Kindness or Elf on the Shelf?
At our house we have decided to do Kindness Elves all season instead of the Elf on the Shelf. There is absolutely no judgement for those of you who participate in the silly antics of Elf on the Shelf. This is just what works best in our home and something my husband and I agreed upon.
When I posted on my personal Facebook page that this was what we chose to do, I had many questions about if we ever let the elves display naughty or silly behavior and the answer is no. Not because we think it is bad or against it, it is just what we choose.
You see, for us, we know the days of influencing our children are numbered and we only have so many chances to teach our children the true meaning of Christmas. Instead of the Elf on the Shelf, we have chosen the Kindness Elves as a fun way to teach our children about Christmas and also incorporate some of the family traditions we were already doing.
By no means do I think that you can’t teach the true meaning by doing the Elf on the Shelf- you can. Some of the ideas for our Kindness Elves can also be sprinkled in to your Elf on the Shelf. Here are some ways all the elves can help our little ones show kindness and prepare their hearts (and ours too) for the ultimate gift this Christmas: JESUS!
20 Acts of Kindness
Each morning our elves are in a new spot with a note stating the act of kindness for the day. Some days the elves leave the materials to go along with the task. For example, when it is time to make Christmas cards the elves will “drop off” all the materials to make the Christmas cards. Pick some of these acts of kindness to spread the love of Christmas this year.
- Have a Birthday party for Jesus
- Make a list of people and things to pray for- keep referring back to it.
- Go shopping to pick out warm pajamas for those in need.
- Deliver a book of Advent devotionals to do as a family every morning.
- Make Christmas cookies and deliver to neighbors.
- Deliver coffee to the police and fire stations.
- Drop off Christmas books and take some to the shelter.
- Make a point to open the door for people today.
- Say “good morning” to three people at church today.
- Help clean up breakfast.
- Make homemade Christmas cards and send to special people.
- Deliver toys to the children’s hospital.
- Leave “Merry Christmas” notes in the bathroom or locker room.
- Let the kids choose the act of kindness
- Invite friends over for dinner.
- Read a story to your sibling today.
- Sing & record Christmas carols and have mommy & daddy send them to family members in a text.
- Pick out a poinsettia and deliver to a loved one.
- Pay it forward by buying a drink or lunch for someone when you are out to eat.
- Share the story of Jesus with a friend or act it out with you nativity scene.
- Compliment your friends today.
- Share your toys with a new friend or invite someone new to play with you in a social setting.
- Make a list of all the things you have been blessed with this year.
- Surprise a loved one by bringing lunch to their place of work.
- Go shopping to purchase a gift for your sibling.
If you choose to do any of these, or have your own ideas, I’d love to see it! Use #kindnesselves on Instagram and join in on the fun!
Other fun things the elves can do:
Of course there are other things we do too that our holiday traditions in our house. The elves like to also give gifts or leave notes of a fun holiday activity that we can do as a family.
- Leave Christmas pajamas to wear for the holiday season.
- Each week our elves leaves a new Christmas book to read at bedtime.
- Deliver a nativity scene. Or you could also create your own nativity scene. (I love this one you can print! And instead of on fabric, print it on paper and glue to the cardboard toilet paper inserts.)
- Go for a family drive to look at Christmas lights- make sure you stop and get hot chocolate.
- Attend a Christmas event like Breakfast with Santa or Breakfast with Baby Jesus.
Christmas is such a fun time of the year for people of all ages. Whether you choose Elf on the Shelf, the Kindess Elves, or no elves at all that is your choice. I encourage you to bring traditions from your own childhood into your family, create some traditions of you own and spread the joy of the season with those around you. Take some time this season to prepare your heart, and the hearts of your children for the ultimate gift on Christmas: Jesus.
Your turn- tell me!
Are you an elf family?
What is your favorite elf activity that you think others should try?
What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Love it, Hollie! Great ideas! 🙂
Great ideas! We have an Elf…but I basically just move it to a new location in the house every morning…nothing fancy over here, and it’s enough to make the kids excited in the morning. Our Elf did bring a nativity scene toy for the kids this year, but doesn’t usually bring gifts.
We are an elf family, love your ideas!