As December gathers pace, households across the UK are once again playing host to a mischievous festive visitor: the Elf on the Shelf. This beloved tradition sees a scout elf sent from the North Pole to watch over children's behaviour, reporting back to Santa each night before returning to cause playful havoc by morning. For parents, however, dreaming up fresh, daily antics for the elf can become a daunting creative challenge.
Creative Mum Shares Her Viral Elf Antics
Thankfully, help is at hand from inventive parents sharing their ideas online. One American mum, Alina, known as @momhackalina on Instagram and TikTok, has captivated her 84,100 followers with a series of clever and replicable Elf on the Shelf scenarios. Her reels have drawn widespread praise for their simplicity and magical touch.
The first of Alina's ideas presents the elf as a makeshift chef. In this scene, the elf appears to have prepared a bizarre breakfast of spaghetti intertwined with marshmallows, all skewered onto wooden sticks. Her demonstration shows how to thread the skewers through a fork stuck into an apple, drape cooked spaghetti over them, and finish with a sprinkle of marshmallows, a handwritten note, and syrup for drizzling.
Another popular reel, originally reported by the Mirror, features a cheeky bathroom-themed breakfast. The setup involves stretching cling film over the toilet bowl, scattering cereal on top, and adding a note that reads, 'I couldn't find the bowls!' The elf is then perched on the seat, spoon in hand, ready to be discovered by giggling children.
From Prison Breaks to Overwhelming Praise
Alina's third inventive suggestion transforms a kitchen cooker grill into a miniature prison cell. The elf is shown clutching the bars as if trapped, with tiny candy canes scattered around to complete the scene. The response from her online community has been effusive, with followers describing her concepts as "genius", "magic", and "amazing".
While these hands-on ideas spark joy, another innovative parent has developed a technological solution for time-poor families. Kirsten Boisvert, a mum from Essex, has created an app called Elf Watch that uses artificial intelligence to simplify the tradition.
The AI-Powered App Saving Parents' Time
Kirsten, who lives with her partner and their four children aged 4 to 11, developed the app after her son repeatedly asked why they couldn't catch their elf on camera. The process is straightforward: parents upload a photo of a room in their home, and the app digitally generates a scene featuring a mischievous elf dancing and playing. Parents then place a corresponding prop, like cotton wool balls or a banana, in the real-world spot.
In the morning, children find both the elf and the prop, and are then shown a video—created by the app—of their elf interacting with the item while they slept. "All my children still fully believe in the elf thanks to the videos, even my 11-year-old who is in year six," Kirsten shared. She added that when her daughter hears doubts from friends, they simply show another video as "proof", potentially extending the magic for another year.
These innovations, from simple crafty pranks to clever digital aids, ensure the Elf on the Shelf tradition continues to create unforgettable Christmas magic for children, while offering fresh inspiration for parents navigating the busy festive season.
