Elf on the Shelf while on vacation

[wdwmoose]

Hopefully this is the right place to post this.

We'll be taking our DL vacation the first week of December; which is about the time Elfkins, our Elf of the Shelf, shows up. Does anyone have any experience keep the EotS thing going while away from home?

I think he'll be hiding somewhere in the car the day we actually start the roadtrip, but I'm kind of at a loss after that. I feel like he'd probably go with us - since the story says he flies back to the North pole every night anyways. It's not like he'd be unable to fly to CA instead of AZ, you know?

 

[larina]

I've decided we'll take ours with us for our Christmas trip. They wouldn't miss a chance to cause mischief at DLR, lol. I was thinking of doing bows all over one night, some sort of food and drink mess one night and that's about as far as I have gotten. I want them to wrap the toilets in wrapping paper this year, but I'll think we'll do that at home (I'm not touching all over a hotel toilet like that). I'm interested in seeing what ideas other folks have.

 

[OregonMinnie]

What about confetti, maybe even Disney confetti? Maybe some of those chocolate gold coins you see for stockings? I don't know much about this elf, although I know of him, so if what I am suggesting is way off base then oh well I do the choc. coinss for St. Patrick's Day in my classroom from the leprachauns, so why not an elf?

Just for fun, I googled Elf on the Shelf mischief, and there was a ton of ideas on Pinterest! They even made me want to get my own elf! Is DD11 too old?

Hope this helps!

 

[Gisele]

okay can someone please enlighten me as to what on earth Elf on the Shelf is? Thanks

 

[Rebekkap]

okay can someone please enlighten me as to what on earth Elf on the Shelf is? Thanks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Elf_on_the_Shelf

Personally I think it's kind of creepy

 

[wdwmoose]

If my kiddos weren't so bought into the magic and enjoyment of it all I'd be creeped out too. Elfkins doesn't go anywhere near their bedrooms, as I try to limit the creep factor.
Also, we do probably a 50/50 split on the mischevious and fun. Sometimes he brings stuff, sometimes he's hanging with other stuffed animals, sometimes he's downright mischevious.
For the poster that went to pinterest: some of the pins you saw probably link back to my blog, as we do posts on EotS every year with creative ideas.
I'm just currently (in June) at a loss as to what he could do in our hotel room without adding in creep factor where's it's never been for my boys.

 

[DLmama]

We brought our elf last December and moved it around the hotel room. DS was 4 at the time and couldn't believe it! He still talks about it. LOL!

 

[larina]

We have a boy and a girl. They cause mischief together, mostly in common areas of the house (spilled flour on the kitchen counter, looking like some strange baking gone wrong, with my smallest bowls out as well - all the toys in the playroom out, in staged scenes or funny combinations). I've never thought of them as creepy, but I'm a Christmas junky, so I have issues in this area. Anyhow, they are fun if you aren't creeped out by them.

 

[Gisele]

The creep factor that some have stated, sounds like a bonus to me, but then I love horror stories.

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

Our elf is pretty smart. If he wants to go with us, he ends up in his box the morning of a trip so that we can just close the lid and carry him along. If he doesn't (weekend trip or something), he moves as usual. I think having him end up in the car is a great idea. He can show up there on the morning of the drive home as well. He can find plenty to do even in a hotel room.

 

[Gisele]

That just cracks me up!
If you really want to give someone in your family a start, wait until you go out for the day, and the little elf shows up in a gas station bathroom. You know I might just have to get in on this.

 

[Gisele]

Ok, so I read more about this elf. And I think it would be fun to choose your own, instead of what comes with the book. Also, I say they should have some fun too during Halloween, but then I love that holiday.

 

[larina]

Ok, so I read more about this elf. And I think it would be fun to choose your own, instead of what comes with the book. Also, I say they should have some fun too during Halloween, but then I love that holiday.

You and I would make good friends. Our elves find there way out to cause mischief throughout the year at random times, just for fun. Actually, I think they may just cause a little summer trouble today or tonight.

 

[lalasmama]

Elfie goes everywhere we go each December, including traveling.... Some of our out of town ideas include:

Chilling in Christmas decor, if any is done

Drinking/eating from take-out containers (if you can keep a DL cup, or napkin, or such)

Riding on any stuffed animals (DD always laughs at that one)

A baking mishap is fun, if possible

Something local can be fun--we spend some Christmases at the coast, so on occasion Elfie is found playing in some sand. This could be *great* at DL if you could make Mickey ears or such!

 

[Gisele]

Gracias Larina

Ah... summer mischief amongst the elves, sounds good.
You can have family movie night with a double feature of those Leprechaun movies, while the elf is looking on and taking notes. And of course don't forget his little box of popcorn, or else.

 

[lk2500]

Nm

 

[wdwmoose]

Elfkins comes out to visit throughout the year. We set up a leprechaun trap every year, and often find Elfkins out just to make sure those sneaky leprechauns don't create too much trouble.

So, I'm thinking that we'll bring along some props, like a dry erase marker to draw Mickeys all over the mirror, or some Mickey ears for him to wear, or something similar. We could likely also have him mess with souvenears as we accrue them throughout the week. Elfkins loves new toys!

 

[d1sneymom]

Our Elf Z is mischievous. He always leaves a tiny note for my kids each night as to why he is bad LOL (I also McGyvered my elf to have bendable arms and legs as well as velcro on his hands). If you can have props packed it can be done! Like you said a dry erase marker (or crayon). On the day you leave have him hanging on the rear view mirror with a sign ("Disney here we come") Make him a tiny mickey hat and on the first morning have him leave a note on the bathroom mirror about how excited he is go to meet Mickey. When he finds out he can't go (as my DS7 would tell him he couldn't) have him get upset and leave all you kid's undies strewn about the room. You can have the kids try to appease him by buying some gold coins (the next morning have him take a bite or 2, smear a little on his face and say he gave a couple to share with Santa). Sometimes I have Z ask the kids to describe their day (via letter or drawing) and they can describe their day at Disney (to send back to Santa). The next day Elfkin can draw HIS (HER?) version of how their day went (or a vision of how his day at Disney would be). You can have him make a makeshift boat (with the hotel soap) and a sinkful of cotton balls (saying he wanted to ride pirates and that would be the closest he could get). You could buy a Dumbo popcorn bucket and do the same (have him inside the popcorn bucket saying he wishes he could ride Dumbo). If you have a fridge in the room have him eating your left overs (or magically have a candy apple from the park appear). If you have a mini Mickey or Minnie have Elfkin asking for their "autograph". You can sprinkle a little bit of "fairy dust" (around the night stand or something) and he can say a little fairy in a green dress came to visit him while you guys were in the park and he wants to know if you know who she is.

HTH! If I can think of anything else I'll let you know.

 

[wdwmoose]

Elfkins is a feisty little GUY, lol.

I love the dumbo popcorn bucket thing! OMG! I'm seriously giddy just thinking about how cute that will be.

Sometimes, Elfkins takes a day off and his sister Snowflake shows up. I bet I could modify some Barbie clothes for a Tinkerbell costume...

Thanks for the awesome ideas!

 

[d1sneymom]

Elfkins is a feisty little GUY, lol.

I love the dumbo popcorn bucket thing! OMG! I'm seriously giddy just thinking about how cute that will be.

Sometimes, Elfkins takes a day off and his sister Snowflake shows up. I bet I could modify some Barbie clothes for a Tinkerbell costume...

Thanks for the awesome ideas!

LOL I figured Elfkin was a HE but I didn't want to offend! You know those elves and their tempers! LOL
Yes, that Dumbo thing had me giddy as well! If you can rig it to where the Dumbo bucket was "flying" THAT. WOULD. BE. AWESOME!