Start December with a bang by welcoming back your Elf on the Shelf in style! These 17 return ideas will get your family excited for the holiday season. From playful pranks to festive surprises, each idea will create a sense of anticipation and magic. Get ready for a fun-filled December as your Elf returns with new tricks and festive cheer!
North Pole Zipline Adventure
When your elf’s been cooped up in the same spot for days, it’s time for an extreme makeover—North Pole style. I’m talking a zipline adventure that’ll make your elf forget about being watched constantly. Set up a string or yarn line across your room, maybe 6 feet long, and attach your elf with a tiny paper harness. Use a red marker to draw speed lines around them—whoooosh! Add a small landing pad made from cotton balls at the end. Your elf’s gonna look absolutely terrified and thrilled simultaneously. I positioned mine mid-zip with arms flailing wildly. It’s hilarious and gets your kids laughing immediately. Plus, it’s different enough that they won’t guess what’s happening next. Your elf’s officially had the wildest commute ever.
2. Candy Cane Throne Setup
After all that zipline action, your elf’s probably ready to kick back like royalty—and I’ve got the perfect setup. Build a throne using red and white candy canes arranged in an X-pattern for the backrest. I stack four candy canes about 8 inches tall, then lean them together like a throne chair. Add a seat cushion from a doll’s furniture or fold some red fabric. Position your elf sitting proudly with legs crossed—because apparently elves need attitude. Scatter mini candy canes around the base like they’re guarding this sugary palace. Your elf looks absolutely ridiculous sitting there like they own the place, and honestly? That’s the whole point. This setup screams “I’m fancy and minty fresh.”
Also read: 21 Funny Elf on the Shelf Pranks That Spark Big Laughs Every Morning
3. Hot Cocoa Bubble Bath
Your elf’s been working hard, so it’s time to set up the ultimate relaxation station. Fill a small bowl or mug with brown water and add brown food coloring for that authentic hot cocoa vibe. Grab some cotton balls and fluff them into fluffy bubbles around your elf. Position your little guy lounging in the “tub” like he’s living his best life. Maybe add a tiny washcloth nearby for extra spa vibes. Sprinkle some cocoa powder or brown sugar around the setup for that genuine chocolate smell (your elf will appreciate the aromatherapy). This setup screams “I deserve this” energy, and honestly, don’t we all? Your elf’s basically saying, “I’ve earned my me-time,” and I’m here for that confidence.
4. Reindeer Games Stadium
Since your elf’s been relaxing in that hot cocoa spa, it’s time to get competitive. Build a tiny stadium using a shoebox or paper towel tube rolled into a circular track. Paint it bright red and gold—go wild with it.
Now here’s the fun part: create a “Reindeer Games” obstacle course inside. Use toothpicks as hurdles, cotton balls as snowball toss targets, and a small cup as the finish line. Your elf can judge from the sidelines wearing a whistle you drew on with markers.
Add tiny scorecards made from index card scraps. Watch your kids race their toys through the course, competing against your elf’s impossibly high standards. Nothing says December like determined stuffed animals attempting athletic feats. Your elf’s judging skills? Absolutely ridiculous.
5. North Pole Passport Arrival
The games are over, and your elf’s got a serious case of wanderlust. It’s time for a passport arrival scene that’ll make your kid’s jaw drop. Grab a small piece of cardboard and fold it into a 3-by-5-inch passport. Decorate it with stamps, doodles, and your elf’s name in fancy letters. Hide it near your elf, maybe clutched in their tiny hands or stuffed in a miniature backpack. Leave a note saying they’ve just landed back from an epic North Pole adventure. Your kid will giggle imagining their elf jetting around like some globetrotting spy. This setup takes five minutes, but the excitement? Absolutely priceless. Your elf’s officially a world traveler now.
6. Sleigh Crash Landing Scene
Sometimes an elf’s journey home gets a little bumpy, and I mean *really* bumpy. Create a crash landing scene using pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals scattered across your floor. Position your elf dramatically in the center, maybe upside-down or buried under a small pile. Add cotton balls as “snow clouds” around the wreckage. Leave a note from your elf saying something like, “Rudolph sneezed. We went down hard.” Draw skid marks with markers on white paper leading to the crash site. Sprinkle some glitter to show the magical mishap. Your kids will giggle imagining the chaotic flight home. It’s hilarious, memorable, and honestly? Way more fun than a boring, perfect landing. Plus, your elf’s got some serious storytelling material now.
7. Letter From Santa Display
Your elf’s got mail, and I’m not talking about spam. I set up a red envelope next to my elf with a typed letter from Santa himself. The note says something hilarious like, “Great job not causing total chaos this month!” My kids lose it every time. I use fancy calligraphy pen and red ink to make it look official and magical. Position the letter so your elf’s “reading” it, maybe propped against a small box or leaning on a candy cane. You could add a wax seal for extra pizzazz. Your kids will absolutely eat up this personalized touch. It’s proof that Santa’s watching and actually cares about their specific shenanigans.
8. Marshmallow Snow Angel
How’d you like to wake up your kids with a winter scene that didn’t require shoveling? I created a marshmallow snow angel using my elf and a bed of mini marshmallows. Honestly, it’s genius and hilariously easy.
I positioned my elf face-up on a white blanket, then surrounded it with about three cups of marshmallows arranged in a classic snow angel pose. The white-on-white contrast looked magical, and my kids absolutely lost it. I added blue construction paper “sky” behind everything for depth.
The best part? No melting mess. Marshmallows don’t drip or deflate like actual snow would. Your elf looks cozy and winterish without the cleanup headache. Plus, you can snack on leftover marshmallows guilt-free while watching their reactions. It’s a win-win situation, my friend.
9. Christmas Movie Marathon Setup
If you’re tired of complicated elf setups, I’ve got the perfect lazy-parent solution: turn your elf into a movie theater critic. Grab a tiny popcorn container—seriously, a thimble-sized cup works—and position your elf front-row center on the couch. I drape mine over a throw pillow wearing a homemade ticket stub around its neck. Add a small notepad and pencil for “reviews.” Your kids’ll giggle imagining their elf critiquing Rudolph or judging Frosty’s acting skills. The beauty? You’re done in five minutes. No elaborate scenes. No tiny furniture hauling. Just one sassy elf judging holiday movies harder than your Uncle Bob judges the turkey. Your kids get entertainment. You get sleep. Everybody wins.
10. Ornament Climbing Challenge
After your elf’s done critiquing movies, it’s time to get that little guy moving. Create an ornament climbing challenge using your tree’s lower branches. Hang shiny red, gold, and blue ornaments about twelve inches apart vertically. Your elf’s “climbing” from one to the next like some tiny, pointy-eared mountaineer. Position him hugging an ornament halfway up, looking exhausted but determined. Maybe add a tiny flag at the top he’s supposedly summiting. Kids love imagining their elf’s athletic adventures. You could scatter fake snow around the tree’s base for dramatic effect. This setup screams action and effort. Your elf’s finally doing something besides judging your movie taste. Trust me, the ornament challenge wins big with kids who think their elf deserves a workout too.
11. Candy Store Robbery Scenario
Your elf’s about to turn into a tiny criminal mastermind, and honestly, it’s hilarious. Set up a mini candy store using a shoebox and fill it with wrapped candies. Position your elf near the scene looking guilty, maybe holding a candy bag. You could add a tiny mask made from black felt across the elf’s face. Scatter a few candies around like evidence. Leave a note saying something like, “I robbed the candy store and I’d do it again!” Your kids will absolutely lose it laughing. This setup takes maybe fifteen minutes, but the comedy gold lasts way longer. Your elf isn’t just returning—they’re returning as a pint-sized outlaw. It’s the perfect way to kick off December with ridiculous fun that’ll make your family giggle for days.
12. Winter Wonderland Diorama
Now that we’ve established that elves have a criminal side, let’s show off their artistic side instead. Build a winter wonderland using a shallow box or shoebox base. Grab some white cotton balls and glue them down as fluffy snow. Arrange tiny plastic trees, maybe six inches tall, around the scene. Add a small mirror as a frozen pond. Your elf can pose mid-ice-skate, arms flailing like they’ve lost all balance. Include miniature snowmen made from stacked marshmallows. Dust everything with white glitter for that magical sparkle. Position your elf sitting on a teeny bench, admiring their frozen masterpiece. String some battery-powered fairy lights around the display. Trust me, your kids will think this beats any heist scheme. It’s wholesome, beautiful, and nobody gets arrested.
13. Scavenger Hunt Mission
Time to turn your elf into a detective with a clipboard and a mission. I’m talking full Sherlock Holmes vibes, minus the pipe and the attitude problem.
Hide your elf somewhere sneaky, then leave clues around your house for your kids to find. Maybe tape a tiny note to the fridge: “Look where you keep cold stuff.” They’ll giggle and hunt like their lives depend on it.
Create a trail of five to seven clues using riddles or silly hints. Stick your elf at the final location holding a prize—candy, hot cocoa packets, whatever makes them lose their minds.
Your kids’ll stay busy for hours, and you’ll get peace and quiet. That’s what I call a win-win situation.
14. Ice Skating Rink Creation
After all that detective work, I’ve got another idea that’ll absolutely wow your kids. Create a teeny tiny ice skating rink for your elf using a small mirror or aluminum foil. Tape it down on a shelf or table. Add a couple of toothpick skates—seriously, just glue tiny skates you’ve drawn on paper to toothpicks. Position your elf like it’s doing the splits, which’ll crack your kids up every single time. Scatter some fake snow around it. Maybe throw in a cotton ball snowman the size of a grape. Your elf’s probably terrible at skating (mine always falls), but that’s what makes it hilarious. Your kids’ll beg to see what happens tomorrow. This setup takes fifteen minutes, tops.
15. Cookie Crumb Trail Return
Here’s a setup that’ll make your kids giggle and wonder if your elf’s got a serious snack problem. Grab some chocolate chip cookies and crumble them into a trail leading from your elf’s hiding spot to the kitchen. Sprinkle the crumbs across the counter, down the cabinet, and even onto a plate of fresh cookies you’ve strategically placed nearby. Add a tiny note from your elf saying something like, “I couldn’t help myself—these smelled too good!” Your kids’ll crack up imagining their elf sneaking snacks all night. The best part? You can actually eat the evidence afterward. It’s funny, it’s tasty, and honestly, it requires almost zero effort on your part. Win-win for tired parents everywhere.
16. Gingerbread House Construction
Your elf’s been caught red-handed with cookie crumbs, and now it’s time for something a little more ambitious—like building an entire gingerbread mansion. I set mine up with graham crackers, frosting glue, and candy decorations scattered everywhere. The result? Absolute chaos, but hilarious chaos.
I arranged tiny gumdrops in neat rows along the roof’s edge and stuck pretzel stick “fences” around the perimeter. My elf stood proudly beside its edible masterpiece, frosting smeared across its plastic face like it’d been through an actual construction project.
Here’s the kicker: I added a tiny fondant sign reading “Under Construction” because let’s be real, this gingerbread disaster looked like it needed serious permits. Your kids will giggle for days imagining their elf as a tiny contractor. Your kitchen, however, will smell like sugar forever.
17. Welcome Home Banner Display
Your elf’s comeback tour deserves a red-carpet welcome! I’m talking a genuine banner that screams, “He’s back, baby!” Grab some poster board and markers—nothing fancy needed. Write “Welcome Home [Elf’s Name]!” in big, bold letters. I used glitter pens because I’m apparently five years old, and honestly? Totally worth it.
Drape that banner across your kitchen or living room at eye level. Add some colorful streamers curling down the sides. Maybe toss some confetti on the floor beneath it, making it look like your elf literally partied his way back home. Position him right in front of the banner, maybe holding a tiny sign that says, “Did you miss me?” Trust me, your kids will lose their minds. This simple setup packs major holiday punch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Make My Elf on the Shelf Return Feel Special Without Elaborate Setups?
I’d suggest leaving a heartfelt welcome-back note from your child to their elf, creating a cozy return spot with blankets, or arranging a simple hot chocolate station. These personal touches make your elf’s return meaningful without requiring time-consuming decorations.
What Age Is Appropriate to Stop Doing Elf on the Shelf Returns?
I’d say most kids lose interest around ages 8-10, though you know your child best. When they start questioning the magic or asking directly if it’s real, that’s your cue to gracefully wrap up the tradition together.
Can I Reuse Elf on the Shelf Return Ideas From Previous Years Safely?
I’d definitely reuse your favorite elf ideas! Your kids won’t remember last year’s poses, and you’ll save time and energy. Just rotate through your best setups—they’ll love the familiar magic returning each December.
How Do I Prevent My Elf From Getting Damaged During Creative Return Setups?
I’d protect your elf by avoiding extreme temperatures, sharp objects, and tight poses that stress the fabric. I’d also keep it away from pets and use soft materials in your setups. You’ll guarantee your elf survives creatively intact.
What Should I Do if My Child Doesn’t Believe in Elf on the Shelf Anymore?
I’d suggest shifting your elf into a fun holiday decoration your child helps design and display. You can frame it as them becoming the “elf expert,” letting them create setups, stories, and scenarios. This keeps the magic alive while honoring their growing maturity.
Conclusion
Your elf’s grand December entrance‘ll blow your kids’ minds. Whether you’re ziplining across the bedroom or perching that little guy on a candy cane throne, you’ve got this. These seventeen ideas pack serious holiday magic. Your family’ll laugh, gasp, and maybe even do a happy dance. So pick your favorite setup, grab some props, and watch the Christmas chaos unfold. Your elf’s back in business, baby!
