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How to Make the Switch to Kindness Elves from Elf on the Shelf

November 15, 2016 By Deb Chitwood 20 Comments

Previous article: Where to Get the Best Kindness Elves with Options for Skin, Hair, and Clothing Color
Next article: How to Have a Kind Classroom with the Kindness Elves {for Teachers and Parents}
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Have you been wondering how to switch from Elf on the Shelf to Kindness Elves? You’re not the only one. Many of us find Elf on the Shelf a bit creepy. He doesn’t promote the values we want at Christmas. Who has time to pose him every day? And, really, who has the time to clean up after an elf during the holiday season?

How to Make the Switch to Kindness Elves from Elf on the Shelf

 

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links (at no cost to you).

Of course, if you and your kids love Elf on the Shelf, you don’t need to switch. But if you’re not quite sure about that pesky elf, there are resources to help you make a gentle switch to Kindness Elves this Christmas.

The 12 Days of Christmas Kindness with the Kindness Elves are traditionally from December 13-24, although you can do them (or as many as you want) whenever works best for your family or classroom.

How to Make the Switch to Kindness Elves from Elf on the Shelf

Anna of The Imagination Tree, the original founder of The Kindness Elves™, answered that question recently at The Kindness Elves Facebook page. You can read her suggestion (and the suggestions of others who’ve made the move.

Using Kindness Elves Just Got Easier!

There’s something new that makes the Kindness Elves easier and even more fun!

The Kindness Elves™ Accessories Pack

The Kindness Elves™ Accessories Pack

There’s a new Kindness Elves™ Accessories Pack! It contains:

  • Visual Step-By-Step Guide for Parents about using the Kindness Elves and Accessories
  • 50 Acts of Kindness Cards (including 10 blank for your own ideas)
  • Little Book of Big Kindnesses
  • Mini Postcards for the Kindness Elves to write to the children
  • 8 Sheets of Stickers
  • Bottle of Magic Sprinkles

I’ve already ordered my accessories pack! I know my granddaughter will love it!

Kindness Elf Resources


 

There are lots of great resources and free printables for Kindness Elves. You can find links to them in the posts below.

Using Variations of Elf on the Shelf to Encourage Kindness

I was so excited when I learned there were variations of Elf on the Shelf that encourage kindness. You can find a roundup of ideas in my post “Using Variations of Elf on the Shelf to Encourage Kindness.”

Using Kindness Elves to Encourage Kindness - Ideas and Free Printables

In my post on “Using Kindness Elves to Encourage Kindness {Ideas and Free Printables},” I added more resources and free printables.

New Kindness Elf Ideas for Building Character This Christmas

In my “New Kindness Elf Ideas for Building Character This Christmas,” I added new ideas from the 2015 Christmas season.

Sweet and Simple Kindness Elf Activities for Toddlers

“Sweet and Simple Kindness Elf Activities for Toddlers” tells what my granddaughter and I did last Christmas.

The Kindness Elves Meet Pete the Cat_Christmas

“The Kindness Elves Meet Pete the Cat … and Go on a Great Adventure” tells about one of our favorite activities with the Kindness Elves (along with one of our favorite children’s book characters)!

20+ Acts of Kindness Advent Calendars and Christmas Countdowns {Free Printables}
You’ll find more ideas to use with your Kindness Elves in my post with “20+ Acts of Kindness Advent Calendars and Christmas Countdowns {Free Printables}.”

Where to Get the Best Kindness Elves with Options for Skin, Hair, & Clothing Color

I have a post about where to get Kindness Elves.

The Ultimate Guide to Kindness Elves

And here you’ll find all my posts about the Kindness Elves!

Wishing you fun and kindness this Christmas season!




 

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Montessori at Home or School - How to Teach Grace and Courtesy eBookLearn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy!

 

 

Photo Credit: Background photo at top of post by Mark Baylor.

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Related Posts

  • Where to Get the Best Kindness Elves with Options for Skin, Hair, and Clothing ColorWhere to Get the Best Kindness Elves with Options for Skin, Hair, and Clothing Color
  • The Ultimate Guide to Kindness ElvesThe Ultimate Guide to Kindness Elves
  • How to Have a Kind Classroom with the Kindness Elves {for Teachers and Parents}How to Have a Kind Classroom with the Kindness Elves {for Teachers and Parents}
  • New Kindness Elf Ideas for Building Character This ChristmasNew Kindness Elf Ideas for Building Character This Christmas
  • Using Kindness Elves to Encourage Acts of Kindness in the FamilyUsing Kindness Elves to Encourage Acts of Kindness in the Family
  • Sweet and Simple Kindness Elf Activities for ToddlersSweet and Simple Kindness Elf Activities for Toddlers
  • Using Kindness Elves to Encourage Kindness {Ideas & Free Printables}Using Kindness Elves to Encourage Kindness {Ideas & Free Printables}
  • How to Add Kind Words from Books to the Kind Words ChallengeHow to Add Kind Words from Books to the Kind Words Challenge
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Previous article: Where to Get the Best Kindness Elves with Options for Skin, Hair, and Clothing Color
Next article: How to Have a Kind Classroom with the Kindness Elves {for Teachers and Parents}

Filed Under: Character, Character Education, Holidays, Kindness Elves, Parents' Role Tagged With: building character, character, character education, Christmas, Elf on the Shelf, encourage kindness, kindness elf, kindness elves, Kindness Elves Accessories Pack, parenting, where to get Kindness Elves

Previous Post: « Where to Get the Best Kindness Elves with Options for Skin, Hair, and Clothing Color
Next Post: How to Have a Kind Classroom with the Kindness Elves {for Teachers and Parents} »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenifer Lim says

    November 15, 2016 at 4:39 pm

    For Christmas every year, our family tradition is to make and decorate an ornament for each family member. Love Christmas traditions!

    Reply
  2. Mihaela says

    November 16, 2016 at 12:44 am

    Doing 24 activities with kids during advent countdown. Great family bonding time!

    Reply
  3. Debra Guillen says

    November 16, 2016 at 10:02 am

    My family has a tradition of making tamales at Christmas.

    Reply
  4. Irene Eichler says

    November 17, 2016 at 5:51 am

    My most favorite thing about the holiday is having all my kids at home together for some family time !

    Reply
  5. Stephanie says

    November 17, 2016 at 7:42 am

    Our familiy tradition is that each child chooses a new ornament relating somehow to the past year/event. When the girls “leave the nest” they will each take with them a set of ornaments from their lives.

    Reply
  6. Lee-Ann says

    November 17, 2016 at 11:56 pm

    My favourite tradition is cutting down the Xmas tree and then decorating it. 🙂

    Reply
  7. Reno SEO says

    November 21, 2016 at 12:36 am

    Indeed, we should give love on Christmas day and this is a genuine idea of showing kindness and love for others.

    Reply
  8. Lisa at Dreams and Caffeine says

    November 21, 2016 at 7:08 am

    Great idea! This will be our first year including the Elf for Christmas, so I’m glad I ran across your post. Since I’m new to this tradition, my husband and I have been researching ways to include it. I think utilizing it as a teaching tool is the perfect twist to a very fun tradition. Thank you for sharing!

    Cheers,
    Lisa at Dreams and Caffeine

    Reply
  9. Jocelyn says

    November 21, 2016 at 10:24 am

    One of my favorite Christmas traditions is playing the Christmas chimes. My brother made a set of chimes from pipes. Every year, we gather and play or favorite Christmas songs on the chimes. Everyone gets one or two chimes and my dad directs the music. Good times.

    Reply
  10. Heather D says

    November 21, 2016 at 10:51 am

    My parents always let me open one present on Christmas Eve then we would watch holiday movies. I do the same with ny kids now.

    Reply
  11. Barrie Bismark says

    November 21, 2016 at 8:46 pm

    I hadn’t heard of kindness elves before. Very cute idea! My favorite Christmas tradition is baking cookies with my kids. They just love it and so do I!
    #MMBH

    Reply
  12. Valerie says

    November 25, 2016 at 12:54 pm

    Christmas crafts, night hikes in the falling snow, christmas carols!

    Reply
  13. Lisa says

    November 27, 2016 at 12:49 pm

    The kindness elf seems to be a better alternative to elf on the shelf. I’d rather teach kindness than mischievousness. Can’t wait to read more and give it a try. I think I might try it at home and in my preschool class.

    Reply
  14. Karma says

    November 28, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    My favorite tradition is having the children recite a verse or poem or sing a song at our church and for the family.

    Reply
  15. Katherine Klomp says

    November 30, 2016 at 6:17 pm

    One of my favorite traditions is making christmas ornaments with my kids to give to family members. We vary up what kind we do every year and I try to make sure it is something they can do by themselves (they are so proud when they can do it all by themselves) and can be unique to them.

    Reply
  16. Wanda Bee says

    December 1, 2016 at 10:59 am

    My favourite things about the holidays is being able to get together with my entire family, all together.

    Reply
  17. Nicole Ackerman says

    December 10, 2016 at 9:59 am

    My favorite holiday tradition is making chocolate covered pretzels with my mom!

    Reply
  18. Jody D says

    December 21, 2016 at 7:48 am

    My favorite time at the holidays is after the dinner is over and we all sit around playing games and visiting!

    Reply
  19. Laura B. says

    December 21, 2016 at 12:04 pm

    I really like the Advent Calendar and going to my sister’s house Christmas Day.

    Reply
  20. suntik meningitis says

    March 4, 2017 at 6:24 am

    Incredibly inspiring article, Thank you

    Reply

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