No apologies from me - I love doing elf on the shelf every year. My kids' faces light up every morning in December when they've seen what the elf has been up to overnight. You can't tell me that it's not making beautiful memories for them that they'll remember for the rest of their lives!" Sarah, mum of twin boys aged 7 Truth time - I couldn't find any kids who hated elf on the shelf, making me think that it could be a tradition almost every child can enjoy. But here's what the parents had to say... Elf has all of the ingredients ready for a cup of hot chocolate including marshmallows! Kids can enjoy the treat! 48. Elf vandalises the family photos

Get all the stuffed animals involved in a homemade game of Twister. Aside from a homemade Twister board (colorfully placed dots on a piece of printer paper), this scene requires a few stuffed friends and a DIY spinner. 40. What's popping? They are a nice reminder that giving goes both ways. Bonus – they are so easy to make, that they are perfect for beginning bakers and little helping hands.Get out your child’s toy dinosaurs and make it look as if Elf is feeding them. I used mini marshmallows but you could use sweets or chocolate. Make some paper chains so that you have a few loops, then leave some extra so it looks like Elf has been caught in the middle of making paper chains! Via Me Becoming Mum 39. Cowboy Elf

What's not to love about a classic snow angel? Whether you use rice, coconut, flour or sugar, you can keep the mess minimal by making it happen in a large baking dish or on a sheet pan. Courtesy Ashley Bryant 20. Climbing to un-bow-lievable heights. Try draping him over a branch, or have him hanging upside down! A really simple but effective last-minute Elf on the Shelf idea. 21. Sliding down the stairs You’ll need to stuff the Elf into the balloon then blow it up. Push it in head first – its quite hard to do feet first!DIY With My Guy has created a printable letter from your Elf to help make this idea work. 62. Use these fun FREE printable notes

Your elf has raided the chocolate stash! Elf is sat in the middle of a box of chocolates with empty wrappers surrounding him and chocolate smeared around his mouth! 9. Elf has made mini pancakes!Poor old Elf on the Shelf gets a lot of hate these days. Ours is called Elvis and he brings some of the best laughs to our household every December. My youngest is ten now but we still look forward to the Elf’s arrival every year and December just wouldn’t be December if I didn’t sit bolt upright in bed after lights out every single night and hiss at my husband ‘Dammit, I forgot to move Elvis, it must be your turn’. So, Elf-haters, do you really not have capacity to indulge your kids in this gloriously silly bit of festive fun. No? Ok Scrooge, but I think you need to take a long, hard look at yours-elves…." Heidi Scrimgeour , Deputy Editor of Goodto and mum-of-three Ask your child to do a drawing for the elf. The next day have the elf holding a drawing in return for your child’s drawing. 20. Elf is hiding in a houseplant

Get a cheap plastic mini toy parachute and attach it to the elf, then make it look like the parachute is tangled in the tree or on one of your ceiling lights. 31. Taking Santa hostage Elf has tipped over the fruit bowl and fruit is scattered all over the kitchen counter. Leave the Elf lounging in the empty fruit bowl as if he’s using it as a bed. 29. Elf goes online Everyone is a pro at video messaging these days, so bring the fun to your elves with a simple printout of a magical Zoom call (complete with Santa!) and a laptop set-up. 36. Cirque du Elf-e. I'm not convinced about Elf on the Shelf... I know it can be magical and a lovely memory for kids to have as they grow up - but I'm not too fond of how so many people use it as a behaviour strategy - telling kids the 'elf is watching you and will tell Santa' for instance - hard disagree. Plus I forget most things most days, so adding one more to fail at and feel mum guilt over isn't the one for me, thanks." Stephanie Lowe , family editor at Goodto and mum of one Grab some marshmallows or blow up a couple of small white balloons and make the ultimate bubble bath for your North Pole visitors. If your elves wear clothes, make sure to put them over to the side prior to "jumping in!" Courtesy Jessica N. Turner 46. M-elf-e Kalikimaka!Three years old is a good age, or as soon as they start to understand the magic of Christmas. Of course, if there are older siblings in the house, the tradition will start even sooner than that. There's really no harm in starting earlier—your child just might not be as engaged at an earlier age. What naughty things can an elf get up to? Grab some cooked pasta, syrup and a collection of sugary sweets to bring this Elf on the Shelf scene together! The only thing you need to add is a homemade sign to pull off this play on Buddy the Elf’s favorite dinner from the Christmas movie “Elf.” 43. Pool and floaty required.