30 Elf on the Shelf Ideas That’ll Have You Tipping Your Santa Hat

Is he putting it together, or taking it apart? In typical Elf on the Shelf style, this guy’s up to a little midnight mischief!

This elf has been dispatched to a sewing machine, where he appears to be sewing his own stocking that can be hung by the chimney with care, as the iconic holiday poem goes.

Who needs a shelf when you can prop your elf next to a tiny elf-sized door complete with teensy Christmas lights?

This little guy decided to hang out in a stocking hung by the mantel, a crafty hiding spot if ever there was one.

Even elves need to stay hydrated, and this one is enjoying a sip of water as he hides (in plain sight) on the kitchen counter.

What better hiding spot for an elf than snuggled up amongst all the family Christmas presents?

Hang on, little elf – Christmas will be here any day now…

This elf may be sitting on a shelf, but he’s keeping himself busy by cutting paper into decorative snowflakes. Elves, right?

Striking a casual pose, this elf looks right at home in front of a decorative “Home” display.

Once off the shelf, this elf hides out in the middle of some construction-paper holiday decorations.

It’s pretty much a given that elves love candy canes, as this one proves by guarding an entire box of them.

If popping some popcorn, it’s probably a good idea to make a bit extra if you have a hungry elf in your kitchen.

Along with candy canes, elves have been known to enjoy Christmas cookies – which explains why this elf is hiding under the kitchen cupboard where the cookie ingredients are stored.

What better place for a shy elf to hide out than within a decorative holiday gift bag?

This acrobatic elf demonstrates the art of hanging upside down from the branches of a Christmas tree – does Cirque du Soleil hire elves?

This elf came out of hiding to strike up a conversation with Barbie as she zooms by on her blue scooter.

Looks like Barbie ditched the scooter and hopped aboard the elf’s flying sleigh instead!

This football-loving Southern elf cried himself to sleep after watching his beloved University of Georgia Bulldogs lose a big game.

This sneaky elf picked a bright hiding spot, right atop a lamp.

Look how effortlessly this Elf on the Shelf blends into the holiday decor when perched upon a small statue depicting a sports-loving Santa.

We can imagine the Mission: Impossible theme playing in the background as this thrill-seeking elf travels high above the living room via homemade zip line.

An Elf on the Shelf captured in its natural habitat, at home on a shelf reading a good book!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas when elves start peeking out from behind corners.

There’s no finer place for an Elf on the Shelf to be, than hiding among the gifts beneath the Christmas tree.

If you’re short of shelf space, than take a page from whoever decided to improvise by taping this elf to the wall instead.

This sneaky little elf is concealing himself behind ornaments on the tree.

Sometimes an elf just needs to bust loose and sing some karaoke – this one apparently has a thing for Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”.

This elf has spelled out an important message out of M&Ms that is of high importance to kids.

Here’s an elf who’s found a clever hiding space wrapped up in lights in a Christmas tree.

Looks like this elf is a little worse for wear after facing off against three of the WWE’s finest pro wrestlers.