Many families love Elf on the Shelf, a December tradition in which a plush elf gets into mischief each night while watching over children’s behavior and reporting back to the North Pole.
Not everyone is a fan, though. Some parents find moving the elf into new locations every night exhausting (especially when other families are creating Pinterest-level magic each day), and some find the notion of an elf spy unappealing as a behavioral tool.
Still, sharing and passing on traditions is fun and meaningful. These Elf on the Shelf alternatives work better for some families. Which do you like?
The Kindness Elves
If your objection to the Elf on the Shelf is that you feel a naughty, spying elf teaches all the wrong lessons, the Kindness Elves may be the perfect substitute.
Instead of unwinding bathroom tissue or pulling all the pots and pans out of the cabinet, these little elves show up each morning with a good deed card. This offers your kids a suggestion of something nice to do for others. (The accessory pack includes 50 pre-printed good deed cards plus blank cards for parents to create their own.)
After the deed is done, the elves produce (also included in the accessory pack) a special postcard thanking your child for their kind actions.
Santa’s Lazy Gnome
Suppose you love the idea of a magical critter watching to make sure your kids aren’t peeking in closets for packages or spending their Christmas break picking fights with their siblings, but you hate having tomove a plush toy aroundevery night. In that case, Santa’s Lazy Gnome is the answer.
Like Elf on the Shelf, Santa’s Lazy Gnome has a storybook, but his story is slightly different. Instead of moving around to watch your kids’ behavior, the gnome is said to be a bit more omniscient — he can see your kids’ behavior whether they’re home or away. He doesn’t even have to move around!
Mensch On A Bench
The Mensch on a Bench is Hannukah’s answer to the Elf on a Shelf.
Like the elf, he hangs out in your home and can be moved around to engage in overnight activities. By contrast, however, he’s a true Mensch — someone who is honorable and can be trusted to do the right thing.
Instead of sneaking cookies or painting toothpaste messages on the mirror at night, families share photos of the Mensch painting pottery, hanging laundry, or washing windows.
He’s an all-around good guy whose creator wanted a sweet new tradition that he could use to “bring more Funukkah to Hanukkah ” and engage the kids with their religious traditions.
Reindeer In Here
The Reindeer In Here is one of the most heart-melting elf alternatives around.
The idea is that this precious little plush reindeer has mismatched antlers, but he’s still here to be your child’s best buddy and go on adventures. According to the creator:
“At holiday time, a special little reindeer with mismatched antlers shows up as an early gift from Santa to stay with each child and go on daily adventures with them. The reindeer learns the child’s true Christmas wishes (and makes sure Santa does as well), all the while encouraging the child to celebrate their own differences.”
He also has his own show, with a cast of characters like Candy the Snowman (with a candy cane for a nose) and Pinky the bedazzled reindeer, who encourage kids to embrace their differences and never be afraid to stand out.
Hide & Hug Olaf
Check out this winter tradition based on theFrozenfranchise for Disney fans.
The set includes a plush Olaf and a book. His story centers on a game of hide-and-seek, and the recommended play involves parents hiding the plush for kids to find. Just don’t hide him anywhere near the Christmas present stash!
The bad news is that the kit has been discontinued, so you won’t find this Olaf at major retailers. However, you may locate one on eBay or in a secondhand bookstore.
North Pole Ninjas
If you focus on teaching your kids to be kind and helpful, the North Pole Ninjas may be your new favorite Christmas book.
The book is available alone or with a cute plush ‘sensei.’ The story tells kids about the secret ninjas of the North Pole, who carry out missions of helping others and spreading kindness.
For instance, one of the mission cards with the full kit suggests that your child take out the trash without being told and enjoy their family’s surprised reactions to the empty garbage can.
Christopher Pop-In-Kins
Some moms describe Christopher Pop-In-Kins as “the original Elf on the Shelf.”
Christopher wasreleased in the 1980sand, like the newer versions, came with a book. Like Hide & Hug Olaf, Christopher was intended for a family-friendly hide-and-seek game.
The bad news is that he’s pretty hard to find these days. His official site links to two toy shops whose websites no longer exist, and secondhand Christophers on Amazon are being offered for more than $150.
Still, we have to give Christopher and his creator, Flora Johnson, credit for being ahead of their time. If you can get your hands on one, he’s utterly adorable.
Create Your Own Tradition
If none of the boxed elves, Mensches, or other plush friends quite suit your needs, you can always create your own story and use any plush or figure that works for you and your kids.
Elves, reindeer, snowmen, and Santa are traditionally associated with Christmas. Still, there’s no reason that Batman, a plush elephant, or a Barbie in a Christmas dress can’t visit your kids to spread cheer. You can decide whether your visitor makes messes, brings messages, or collects wish lists to take back to Santa.
Your version could be connected to Christmas, the winter solstice, a holiday of your choice, or just because.
One great example comes from Little Page Turners, where instructions for creating your own Christmas Mouse are complete with a list of 25 activities the mouse could be connected to, like baking Christmas cookies or reading a book together.
Advent Calendars With Activities
Advent calendars aren’t quite the same as a plush visitor, but if you’re creeped out by the idea of a winter watcher in your house and still want a tradition that involves daily activities, an Advent calendar based around activities could be a great option.
One excellent example is the Lego Disney Advent Calendar — each day from December 1st through December 24th, your child will open a new packet of Lego blocks with instructions to build scenes from some of their favorite Disney movies.
However, other activity-based Advent calendars offer various options, including science projects, arts and crafts, clay, and many more.
Choose one that meets your child’s interests and join them in a daily project!
