Jason Deas - 101 Things to Do with Your Christmas Elf

Copyright 2017 by Jason Deas

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Michael Short

Cover photograph by Jason Deas

Interior photography by Jason Deas

ISBN: 978-1-944686-62-8

eISBN: 978-1-944686-63-5

Printed in China

This book is dedicated to magic. To not knowing. To a full imagination.

Its also dedicated to my wife, kids, and knowing.

May all your days, in every season, be merry and bright.

Introduction

I was introduced to the world of elves a few years ago by my sisters children. Thanks a lot, kids! I have to admit that at first it seemed like a bit of a chore to do something special with the elf every night. However, I have seen the joy it brings my own children and decided a few years ago to take on the task full force. I realized we didnt have very many more years of Christmas magic at our house and I wanted to be able to look back on these years with delight, knowing I did everything in my power to keep the magic alive.

I think the first thing you have to decide when you get an elf is what type of elf you have. Is the elf mischievous? Is the elf a troublemaker? Or is he fun-loving? Do you have one elf for each kid or do they share one? We have nine. And yes, I need professional help. All of my ideas will work with one elf or nine. Dont worryIm going to make your holiday merry and bright. Kick back with a cup of eggnog and enjoy.

Some friends of mine have a naughty elf who makes a mess in their house. We dont have those sorts of elves in our house, so you wont find any of those ideas in this guide. It is easy to make a messI am sure most people can figure that out on their own.

Some elves hide. We did this for a couple years. Now that the kids are a little older they know all our spots, and, quite honestly, they dont have much time in the morning before school to play hide-and-seek. If youre ever in a jam and dont have much time, its always a possibility. I use it once or twice during the season.

We have plush elves that the kids are allowed to touch and play with. We set them on the fireplace at bedtime so they can fly home to help Santa make toys, and then theyre back in the morning. Our elves dont spy or tattle. Like I said, our elves are all about fun and the joy of the season.

Our elves are playful and have great imaginations. Some mornings the kids might come downstairs to find them sunning on beach towels with bottles of suntan lotion beside them. Theyll have on sunglasses and swimming goggles. Maybe a raft or boogie board by their side.

Its all about creating a scene. My children love it and I hope yours will, too.

Pretend you are decorating a department store window. A little imagination goes a long way. An elf sitting under an umbrella with some balled-up, blue copy paper and a few blue streamers hanging from the ceiling fan or the umbrella is easily transformed through the eyes of a child.

Most of the things I use are found around the house or come from dollar variety stores. I probably spend less than two dollars a night, and most nights I spend nothing at all. For sixty dollars (give or take) I can fill my childrens heads with memories to last a lifetime. I have provided a list of items I have used the most.

Within this book, I provide additional ways you can embellish and add onto my idea and make them your own! Im sure your closets, garages, and basements are filled with many little treasures to create amazing scenes for your elf.

Have fun with it. Dont feel like you have to do it like everybody else. Make your own rules for what works with your life. With a little bit of pre-planning and scouting around the house for stuff, itll be awesome. Remember to see it through the eyes of a child. Merry Christmas!

Elf Shopping List

Disclaimer: Some scenarios contain small parts and other potential hazards for children, if left unsupervised by an adult. Please take all necessary precautions and do not leave children unattended around scenes.

The Slide

Find anything in the house you can make a slide with, and possibly something for the elf to ride down on. I used a simple ironing board and a tiny float I found in the garage. I propped the ironing board on our piano bench, positioned the elf, and voila! It took me about five minutes. From my childrens reaction, you would have thought it took me hours.

If you dont have an ironing board, you can use a piece of wood, a big piece of cardboard, a baby bed mattress, the leaf from the dining room table that you never use, or anything to create the illusion of a slide.

If you dont have a float, a laundry basket could work, or the elf can just slide on its own. Sometimes, I put the elf on the float and place other stuffed animals in different poses at different points on the slide so it looks like theyre all having fun together.

All of these ideas will work for just one elf, but will be a lot more fun with additional friends. So, go out and buy more elves! Or you can always use teddy bears, dolls, and other stuffed animals as extras.

Supplies:

Mechanical Breakdown

I will readily admit that when it comes to car engines, I am completely lost. When I open the hood of a car, I might as well be staring into the abyss or the eyes of a spaghetti monster.

If you have kids, Im sure you have some sort of large toy car, dump truck, tractor, or other vehicle laying around that your elf can fix. If you happened to have a toy sleigh, that would be even better. Prop the vehicle up, lay your elf underneath, and place a couple tools scattered around so it looks like shes making some repairs.

Supplies: