Easy elf ideas

Easy elf ideas that take the joke literally.

Puns, a bread roll, a rock, a kitchen sponge. These are seven of my family's favourite elf setups, made with stuff you've almost certainly already got. Pick one for tonight, set it up, go to bed.

the elf does the joke. you just do the setting up.

Elf dancing beside a rock and a bread roll with a Let's Rock and Roll sign

elf idea no. 1

Let's Rock & Roll

You'll need: your elf, one rock, one bread roll, and a "Let's Rock & Roll!" sign.

How: Put the rock and the roll side by side. Pose your elf next to them like he's mid-performance, arms up. Prop the sign up beside them. That's it. Two objects, one terrible joke.

Tip: Use a clean, flat rock that won't roll onto little fingers.

Elf proudly building a wonky tower cake made of pink and green kitchen sponges with sprinkles

elf idea no. 2

Piece of Cake

You'll need: your elf, a few coloured kitchen sponges, something white for "icing", sprinkles, and a "Piece of Cake!" sign.

How: Cut the sponges into slices and stack them on a plate into a tall, wobbly "cake". Drizzle the white over the top and add sprinkles. Stand your elf beside it like a proud baker. The second laugh comes when the kids work out it's a sponge.

Tip: It's a prop, not food. Keep it away from anyone who might go in for a bite.

Two elves rolled up in tortillas like burritos with a That's a Wrap sign

elf idea no. 3

Nah… That's a Wrap!

You'll need: your elf, a tortilla or wrap, and a "Nah… That's a Wrap!" sign.

How: Roll your elf up in the tortilla like a burrito, with just the head (and the shoes) poking out. Lay it on a plate with the sign. Perfect for the night you're done with December too.

Two elves partying in a pile of shredded lettuce with balloons and a Lettuce Celebrate sign

elf idea no. 4

Lettuce Celebrate

You'll need: your elf, a bag of shredded lettuce, any party bits you've got (balloons, a party hat), and a "Lettuce Celebrate!" sign.

How: Tip some lettuce out across the bench like confetti. Give your elf the party bits and pose him mid-celebration. Great for the last day of school, a birthday, or any little win.

Tip: Do it on a clean tray if you plan to eat the lettuce afterwards.

Elf caught in a packet of choc chip cookies with chocolate on his face and an I Can Explain sign

elf idea no. 5

I Can Explain…

You'll need: your elf, a packet of cookies, a few crumbs or choc chips, and an "I Can Explain…" sign.

How: Sit your elf half in or right next to the open packet with a cookie in his lap. Scatter a few crumbs and choc chips around. Add a tiny chocolate smudge to his face if you're feeling brave. Let the evidence do the talking.

Tip: Make sure any smudge wipes off and won't stain.

Two elves sitting outside a cardboard box with a Thinking Outside the Box sign

elf idea no. 6

Thinking Outside the Box

You'll need: your elf, a cardboard box, a few toys, and a "Thinking outside the box" sign.

How: Put the toys inside the box. Sit your elf outside it, looking very pleased with himself. The box from your last online order is perfect.

Elf holding a paper hook beside a spool of fishing line and a sinker with a Hook, Line and Sinker sign

elf idea no. 7

Hook, Line & Sinker

You'll need: your elf, a hook cut out of paper or card, fishing line or string, a sinker, and a "Hook, Line & Sinker!" sign.

How: Give your elf the paper hook to hold. Loop the line from the spool up to his hand and pop the sinker in front. Three things, three words, one very proud elf.

Tip: Never use a real fishing hook. Keep the sinker away from little ones who might put it in their mouth.

Two shocked elves next to a spilled jar of beans with a Someone Spilled the Beans sign

From my free guide

Want one more? Spill the Beans.

Uh-oh… someone spilled the beans. This one's in my free guide, 5 Easy Elf Setups, with four more just like it and printable place cards. Join the Elf HQ waitlist and I'll send it straight to your inbox.

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I'm building Elf HQ: a whole library of elf ideas, from 'it's 10pm and I've got nothing' to full-on showstoppers, mostly using stuff you've already got at home. Join the waitlist to be first in.

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happy elfing. x Sammy