Repurpose Christmas Elf: 30 Days of Kindness
Whether you think the Elf toy tradition is cute or creepy, more and more elves are sitting on shelves (or actually hanging from chandeliers, Christmas trees, and pretty much getting into all sorts of trouble) than ever before. Honestly, starting the Christmas elf tradition all together was a struggle for me and it soon became something I was repeatedly forgetting about.
That is until my kids started asking why “Elfie” was in the same spot for five days in a row. Errrr… let’s just say my parental elf on the shelf duty was most often times a fail. So, I’ve changed the tradition just a bit and repurposed the ordinary Christmas elf to be a kindness elf to keep me motivated to keep up this tradition.
The new, repurposed elf on the shelf, has been coming to our home for the past several years bringing us messages and inviting us to do daily acts of kindness for others. I figure if I am going to go through all the trouble with having an elf tradition in our home, he might as well teach us something right?
He writes to tell us when he sees us doing something kind and also encourages us to do things for others. One of our favorite things is to bake treats for the neighbors, ring the doorbell and run! Elfie reminds us to do this!
He also reminds us to hand write letters and mail them to someone who could use some encouragement during the holiday seasons. My kids love to send out snail mail!
I know, to some, this idea seems like it would be more of a hassle, but let me assure you that the daily tasks can be as simple as a smile or giving someone a compliment. And to make it even easier for ya, I have thought of a month worth of things the elf can encourage your family to do this holiday season! I even already typed them up so all you have to do is print and have the elf sign! You can find the link to the printables by going here.
30 ideas to spread kindness this holiday season:
-
Bake a treat and take it to a neighbor
-
Write a handwritten letter to someone
-
Take someone’s shopping cart back for them
-
Do what is asked by your parents the first time
-
Do an act of service for a sibling
-
Smile at a stranger
-
Take the time and listen to someone today
-
Call or visit a grandparent
-
Do a job at home without being asked
-
Make someone’s bed (that’s not your own)
-
Help with dinner
-
Shovel someone’s sidewalk
-
Write a thank you note to your teacher
-
Give someone a compliment
-
Invite someone new to play with you
-
Draw a picture and give it to a friend
-
Leave a kind note on someone’s windshield
-
Let a sibling or friend choose a game they want
-
Let someone else take a turn first
-
Take some snacks and water to the waiting room of an emergency room
-
Leave a dollar bill and a snack at a Redbox
-
Bring dinner to a family
-
Donate a few of your toys to someone in need
-
Ask to watch someone’s little ones while they run errands
-
Wash and vacuum someone’s car
-
Donate some clothes and shoes to someone in need
-
Make a care kit and give to someone in need
-
Donate some canned food to the local food bank
-
Tell someone you love them today
-
Write a thank you note to Santa clause for all his hard work
Usually, My rowdy boys who would rather wrestle than hug (this is their idea of a gentle loving hug!) and at times they get annoyed with each other and begin to bicker, but I have noticed throughout the month of December when they are focusing on others and serving one another, there is less contention and more peace in our home.
So, give this variation of a tradition you might already be doing and let us know how it goes!!
xo,
Find more ideas for Christmas traditions visit me at weedstowishes.com and
For more ideas on how to make this Christmas extra special for your family and others, check out some of these great ideas:
20 Christmas Traditions for Kids: Ways to Make it More Meaningful
21 Ways To Be a Little More Giving This Season
Gratitude Boot Camp- Just what your kids need before the holidays
Anji says
Great idea to turn the elf in the shelf to a kindness elf. I’m doing 24 random acts of kindness with my children this year for the advent calendar. I was going to knit kindness elves but maybe I’ll steal your idea and get the elves to be kindness elves.
Cristi says
Anji- I love that you are doing that! Let us know how it goes! I am preparing to do a post on random acts of kindness and have a printable for that as well coming soon! So stay tuned!
nicole says
PROBLEM: when i clicked over to Weeds to get the printables, there is no link to pull them up to print. It says click HERE- but no link attached to HERE.
This is a great idea- our elf brings the advent candy/toy without tricks, so this is a great transition from that idea
THANKS
Cristi says
Thanks Nicole for catching that! Somehow the link went missing but I have just added it again!! Please let me know if you have any further questions!! I want to know how it all goes- so please share any ideas or photos you have with us!!
Crystal says
Same problem as Nicole above…the link to the printable isn’t working. Love this idea though!
Cristi says
Hi Crystal- try it now and let me know if you have further problems and I can email them to ya!!
Crystal says
Working now – thank you!
Cristi says
Okay great! Let us know if I can help you with anything else!!
Stephanie says
We have the Christmas Angel instead of the elf, and she encourages kindness too! https://thechristmasangel.com/
Cristi says
Love this idea as well!! Such a great message for kids to focus on! Thank you for sharing!!
Kristin says
I love how you’ve changed this into a “service elf” of sorts! Thanks for sharing the long list of service ideas. Perfect!
I always forget in the night, too, so I told my kids (who are all in school) that the elf moves while they’re at school. So I have some time to set things up. Then when they get home they like looking for the elf.
Cristi says
I forget as well!! I’m always racing to get to it before they wake up in the morning so I like the idea of him moving while they are at school!!