{Elf on the Shelf // How we do it + Planning}

Let me preface this by saying that Mason is still a believer. I'm holding on as long as I can and will do everything in my power to be a magic maker for him! With that being said, I've shared on the blog before about how we do the Elf on the Shelf around here. Our elves are used to encourage good behavior, help bring extra magic to the season, teach random acts of kindness, etc.,  all while pointing Mason back to Jesus and the reason for the season.  Sure, our elves may get a little silly at times but they are not here to make messes and bring mischief. They are used as a tool to spread light and love throughout the Christmas season. 

{Christmas Magic // Max, Millie, & Cubbie // 2022}

They're back...

{Elves and Christmas Cookies // 2021}

 Mason's elves brought him a cookie decorating kit, so we spent a sweet afternoon together decorating cookies! I love these tender moments with him and cherish every second. I know time is fleeting and he's growing entirely too fast. I just pray that I still have a few more years of this! 

{Guess who's back...}

 Our favorite elves (and Cubby) made their way back during our Palestine (camping, The Grinch's Lair, and Polar Express) weekend, just like they always do! Mason always anticipates them over this special and magical weekend. They just add that much more sweetness to the weekend.

{Elf Magic // 2020}

 Our Elves {Max & Millie and their pet, Cubby} made their 2020 Christmas season appearance on December 1st. They brought Mason all the things needed for a North Pole style breakfast and brought him a Funko Harry Potter Pop Advent calendar! Mason was so excited to see his favorites!!

{Pinterest to Project // vol. 6 // DIY Ribbon Skirt for Elf on the Shelf}

In all seriousness, what did we do before Pinterest? I've always considered myself a crafty person, but Pinterest just takes it to a whole new level. Last year an 'elf in training' was brought to our family for the Christmas season. Max was showing her the ropes on being an Elf on the Shelf, but after such a fun time with our family, Millie decided she wanted to become a permanent elf of Mason's. We were so excited she wanted to stay! Millie is a sassy little thing and always calls herself "Princess Millie". And, we all know that a Princess needs special clothing. I turned to Pinterest to find her something special. I came across this adorable DIY Ribbon skirt and decided to turn this Pin into a Project!

{How we do Elf on the Shelf}

I am in full on Christmas mode around here!! I've had the Lauren Daigle Christmas station playing on Pandora every day since the day after Halloween and it's putting me in the holliest jolliest of moods!! I absolutely love this time of year and do everything in my power to make it special and magical for my family. As I was preparing for the next two months I started thinking about our Elves that visit us each year and wanted to share how we do the Elf on the Shelf around here.

{Elf on the Shelf Shenanigans // Part 2}

Our elf, Max has been so much fun this Christmas season! Mason jumped out of bed each morning with eager anticipation to see what shenanigans Max was up to. Max sure does make mornings easier and better! I wish that little guy could stay year round for that reason alone. Today I am sharing the 2nd half of what our Elf on the Shelf has been up to. Well, I was going to...

{Max Shenanigans // Elf on the Shelf}

Max, our elf returned on December 2nd making our Christmas season so much fun! He arrived a little later this year because he was needed at the North Pole for a special project. Mason has been anticipating his arrival since the day he left last year. He loves Max so much and wishes he could stay with us the whole year. I'm not so against that either since Mason jumps out of bed so easily every morning so eager to find Max. Thank you Max!!!

{Elf on the Shelf Sunday // Week 2 Recap}

Another week of having our sweet elf, Max around. Each day Mason loves him more and more. Here is what he has been up to this week:



On Day seven Max was riding one of Mason's tractors and brought some snowballs for an indoor snowball fight!!

We found Max maxing snow angels!! He left a note asking Mason to be an angel at school!





Max got a little silly and made Olaf the Snowman using some of our toilet paper!





Day ten was one of Mason's favorites so far! Max decided he wanted to learn how to play Minecraft! He made himself a mask, got one of our old iPhones and downloaded Minecraft and even left Mason two little Minecraft gifts! Mason was ecstatic!







On day eleven we found Max riding on a Rudolf that he made! He also left Mason a Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer book! Mason was excited because that is one Christmas book that we do not have!




Max knew that we were going to breakfast with Santa so he brought Mason a new pair of pajamas to wear! Max must have also known that Mason's mama is obsessed with buffalo plaid right now. ;)






On day thirteen Max decorated our fridge! Now it's all festive and cute!


That was our week! What has your Elf been up to lately?

{Elf on the Shelf Sunday // Week 1 Recap}

On Monday I mentioned that I was going to implement Elf on the Shelf this year and shared our calendar for the month {here}. I am going to post every Sunday to recap our week and all of our Elf's Shenanigans!!

We are having so much fun with our elf and now I am wondering why I didn't do this sooner!!

Mason met his elf on December 1st and was in complete awe of him!! He was so excited that he actually got an elf this year. He just wishes soooo bad that he could hug his elf. He says things like "I love my elf" and "I don't want him to go back to the North Pole after Christmas!" It's the sweetest thing.

Now for the recap of week one...{ps - I found this awesome elf font on day 2 and downloaded it so that I can keep his little notes consistent! I just printed them on cardstock and cut them out}




Our elf arrived and had tied himself to one of my Christmas tree decorations with lights. He left a welcome letter for Mason and asked that Mase name him. Mason originally chose the name Leroy, but I had to remind him that he had a pet frog named Leroy. So, he chose Max. Mason was instantly smitten with him. He talked about him all the way to school {about a 20 minute drive} and said he told his teacher and friends all about him! We think Max may have tied himself to the tree with lights because he knew that we were going to our town's Christmas tree lighting event that night. ;)

On day two Max made a little Winter Wonderland and built Mason a snowman out of marshmallows. Mason got a huge kick out of it. He asked me if he could hug the bowl since he can't touch Max. And Mason was pretty excited that Max brought back a little magic dust from the North Pole.







On day four we found Max inside of a rocketship. He left a note saying that he lost track of time and almost didn't make it back to the North Pole in time so he had to build a rocket to get there quicker. There was magic dust from the North Pole sprinkled all the way around the rocket ship. Mason said, "Max really is magic-full because he built a rocket. I have the coolest elf ever."

On day four we found Max reading to Mason's Nativity set. He was reading them the Christmas story. He must have known that Bethlehem Revisited kicks off this weekend in our little town!! He left us a sweet little reminder that said "Jesus is the Reason for the Season".






On day five Max brought us a gingerbread house {with extra candy} to build as a family. This is one of our favorite yearly traditions!! Mason was super excited. But...I  am certain that's because of all of the candy!







On day six Max sent us on a candy cane scavenger hunt!! He hid 6 candy canes around the house for Mason to find. I didn't take many pics because we had a funeral to go to and we were rushed.




Are you doing Elf on the Shelf? What has your elf been up to?