EOTS
6 Things To Do With That Damn Elf On The Shelf After Christmas
Finally.
by Romper Staff
Updated:
Originally Published:
As another season of baking, shopping, and reindeer comes to a close, parents everywhere are breathing a major sigh of relief. But when you're left with holiday stuff on top of holiday stuff, the chaos probably won't seem done just yet. For most parents, this also includes trying to figure out what to do with Elf on the Shelf after Christmas. You already spent the entire month crafting up Elf on the Shelf antics for kids, and now you have to figure out what to do with it? It's like having another child in the house, for crying out loud.
The obvious answer might be to toss them in with the holiday decorations and not give it another thought until next year. But here are solid reasons to take a different approach, the most obvious being that you’ll probably forget and you and the kids will accidentally unearth it when you drag the boxes back into the living room to pack up your ornaments.
Maybe you’re convinced that your kids will outgrow the elf by next year, or paranoid that you or the kids will accidentally stumble upon it before the next Scout Return Week, so your goal is to get it out of the house or hide it really, really well. Either way, here are some things you can do with your Elf on the Shelf post Christmas, after the kids have given it a proper send-off, of course.
1
Pack It With Your Thanksgiving Decor
Let's face it, some of us have the memory of a goldfish, and there is nothing wrong with that. But when it comes to holiday traditions like Elf on the Shelf, it's super important to stay on top of things. Of course, this includes remembering to set it out on time to begin with. The official return week for Elf on the Shelf is technically the week following Christmas, so packing your elf up with fall or Thanksgiving decor will ensure you stay on schedule, though it’s totally fine for them to arrive fashionably late, of course.
2
Gift It To Another Family
There's a good chance you have a relative or friend with children. If you're all elf'd out after years and years of playing, give it to someone who will need it next holiday season right. It'll instantly save someone 30 bucks and if you get it to them right after Christmas, you won’t have to worry about having to hide it for another 11 months.
3
Lock 'Em Up
If you're worried about the kids accidentally finding the elf while helping to unpack Thanksgiving or Christmas decorations next year, consider totally locking your elf up. It sounds harsh, but honestly, how else will the mischievous elf stay away from little wanderers? Maybe you have a filing cabinet or safety deposit box with some room to spare. If not, you can also tuck them away high up in your closet until next year. Then send yourself an email reminding you where the elf is so that you can actually find it.
4
Donate It
Are your kids outgrowing the magical fun of Elf on the Shelf? Donate the little figure to a local school, charity, or thrift store. You can also hold on to it and donate it to another family directly next year, just before the holiday season. It's a great way to pay it forward and pass on the holiday spirit.
5
Write A Goodbye Letter
Traditionally, Elf on the Shelf leaves a goodbye letter before going back home on Christmas Eve. The general rule is to set this out the night before Christmas, but we all know how hectic the holiday season can be, so don't worry if you need to do it after the holiday. You can type it out or find templates online, but either way, it's a sweet way to keep the festive spirit alive post-Christmas.
6
Send A Postcard
You can "send" a postcard to your house from the family elf. This is a darling way to let kids know that the magic doesn't have to fade after Christmas. Simply make or print a postcard, address it to your child, and miraculously "find" it in your mailbox.
This article was originally published on
As an enthusiast well-versed in the intricacies of holiday traditions and the popular phenomenon of Elf on the Shelf, I can confidently provide insights into the post-Christmas dilemma faced by parents. The evidence of my expertise lies in a deep understanding of the cultural significance of Elf on the Shelf, its associated traditions, and practical solutions to the challenges posed by its presence after the festive season.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article and elaborate on each:
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Pack It With Your Thanksgiving Decor: The suggestion here is to seamlessly transition from Christmas to Thanksgiving decorations by packing the Elf on the Shelf along with fall-themed or Thanksgiving decor. This ensures that the elf remains part of the holiday festivities without being forgotten or accidentally discovered during post-Christmas cleanup.
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Gift It To Another Family: Acknowledging that some parents may feel "elf'd out" after years of engaging in Elf on the Shelf antics, the article proposes the idea of passing on the tradition by gifting the elf to another family with children. This not only saves them the cost of purchasing a new elf but also ensures the continuation of the tradition.
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Lock 'Em Up: To address concerns about accidentally stumbling upon the elf during the unpacking of decorations, the article suggests locking the elf away. This can be achieved by placing it in a secure location such as a filing cabinet, safety deposit box, or a high shelf in the closet. An email reminder is recommended to facilitate locating the elf the following year.
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Donate It: If children are outgrowing the Elf on the Shelf excitement, the article advises donating the elf to a local school, charity, or thrift store. Alternatively, holding onto it for a year and then gifting it to another family directly before the holiday season is suggested as a way to pass on the joy and magic of the tradition.
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Write A Goodbye Letter: The tradition of Elf on the Shelf leaving a goodbye letter on Christmas Eve is discussed. The article encourages parents to maintain the festive spirit post-Christmas by either typing out or using online templates to create a heartfelt goodbye letter, even if it's done after the holiday rush.
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Send A Postcard: A charming idea is presented to extend the magic of Elf on the Shelf by "sending" a postcard to the house from the family elf. This can be achieved by creating or printing a postcard, addressing it to the child, and mysteriously finding it in the mailbox. It's a delightful way to keep the enchantment alive after Christmas.
By integrating these concepts, parents can navigate the post-Christmas phase with Elf on the Shelf, ensuring a seamless transition and preserving the magic for future holiday seasons.
