Elf on the Shelf has definitely been a new idea for me. Elf on the Shelf wasn’t around when my kids were little. My husband and I didn’t even tell our children that Santa was real … only that it was a fun story. I was happily raised believing Santa was only a story, and my husband wished he had been, too.
I also never believed in basing Christmas gifts on good behavior. Even with events like skating competitions, our rewards afterward were simply a celebration of hard work … never a reward for results. (See my son’s post “How to Get the Most out of a Skating Competition” and my post “Let Gratitude Carry You through the Competition Season.”)
Still, I think that Elf on the Shelf is a fun concept. I just think it needs a bit of tweaking for people like me to be comfortable with it. I’m excited this year to see some new variations of Elf on the Shelf that reinforce the important character trait of kindness.
Variations of Elf on the Shelf to Encourage Kindness
The Conscious Discipline Facebook page has a thread about using Elf on the Shelf to focus on love and positivity.
Jenny from Ignite Learning extends the Conscious Discipline idea at Ignite Learning in her post “Looking for Kindness with Elf on the Shelf” and at PreK + K Sharing in her post “Stuff Your Stockings with Sweetness.” I love the idea that the Elf might even surprise people with Random Acts of Kindness.
Kindness Elves (Photo from The Imagination Tree)
Anna from The Imagination Tree has “Kindness Elves: An Alternative Elf on the Shelf Tradition.” The concept and explanation behind the Kindness Elves is truly beautiful, and it’s something that would work well in many homes or classrooms. I think I might have some Kindness Elves around for grandchildren when they visit Grandpa and Grandma’s house!
To make it easier to use Kindness Elves, Amanda from The Educators’ Spin On It offers “Kindness Elves Free Printables for Busy Parents.”
Amy from Consider Me Inspired has “24 Days of Elf Kindness – A List for Kids.”
Of course, I’ll use “A Montessori Approach to Praise” in anything I do. (Note: Elves, obviously, aren’t a Montessori concept, which emphasizes activities based on reality for young children. I’m a progressive Montessorian, so I’m not afraid of using activities with fantasy for children who would understand and enjoy them.)
Using a variation of Elf on the Shelf to encourage kindness could be adapted for many different types of homes and classrooms. You wouldn’t need to do something new every day, and you could start at any time in December. Maybe you only want to have the Kindness Elf or Elves out for a few days. That would be fine. I always had problems consistently doing Christmas countdown activities every day for 25 days.
Just do what’s meaningful and fun for you and your family.
UPDATES: More Posts with Variations of Elf on the Shelf to Encourage Kindness
Using Kindness Elves to Encourage Kindness {Ideas and Free Printables}
The Ultimate Guide to Kindness Elves
Using the Christmas Angel to Encourage Kindness
I’d love to hear if you use a variation of Elf on the Shelf to encourage kindness in your children and/or students. 🙂
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Photo Credit: Background image by dazdraperma.
Related Posts
The Ultimate Guide to Kindness Elves- How to Make the Switch to Kindness Elves from Elf on the Shelf
Where to Get the Best Kindness Elves with Options for Skin, Hair, and Clothing Color
New Kindness Elf Ideas for Building Character This Christmas
Using Kindness Elves to Encourage Kindness {Ideas & Free Printables}- The Kindness Elves, Pete the Cat, and Our 9th Annual Family Food and Toy Drive
- The Kindness Elves, Pete the Cat, and Our 8th Annual Family Food and Toy Drive
- The Kindness Elves, Pete the Cat, and Our 7th Annual Family Food and Toy Drive
Thank you for this. I have been feeling almost guilty by not starting the tradition of elf on the shelf, like most of the Mom’s I know. It’s a fun and cute idea, but completely agree with your view on having to do an activity to consistently countdown for 25 days and that Christmas should not be all about earning presents with good behaviour. I love these alternative ideas. Again, thank you so much for making me feel like I am not alone in thinking that “elf on the shelf” is not a must-do for every family with children!
I’m so glad my post was helpful, Lindsay! I think we really need to just do what works for us and our unique families. I was just writing about that on Sulia today: http://sulia.com/livingmontessorinow/f/c87fc754-0ca2-4223-b893-4b139d388b18/. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season! 🙂
I found this through Discover and Explore. I, too, shared an alternative to Elf mischief. As always love reading your blog.
Thanks so much, Dayna! Your Elf on the Shelf writing activity is a great idea! 🙂
Thank you so much, these ideas are fabulous!
Thanks, Kristina! Have a wonderful Christmas season! 🙂
Loved your post and idea to use Elf on the Shelf to prompt acts of kindness. My granddaughters are enjoying Elf on the Shelf 9first year for them) and they are absolutely enthralled with it but I definitely think throwing in acts of kindness is a great way of teaching the children! Stopping by from Hearts from the Home party.
Great idea to use the elf to encourage kindness. Our elf likes to encourage reading, writing, and math skills mixed in with a bit of fun.
Love this idea! I teach children and this sounds like a great way to motivate them! Thanks for posting on the Four Seasons Blog Hop! Pinning and Google+ ! Sandra from Scrumptilicious 4 You!
This whole ‘Elf of the Shelf’ thing is new to me, I hadn’t heard of it before this year. I really like the idea of using it as a means to promote kindness and thoughtfulness towards others.
I love this variation – thanks for sharing with Afterschool!
We also teach our kids that Santa is just a story, and we don’t do Elf on the Shelf. Also agreed — we don’t tie Christmas gifts to good behavior. Thanks for showing the After School crowd another way to use Elf on the Shelf!
I think you guys would love this alternative to the elf. Check out The Christmas Angel! www. Yourchristmasangel.com. Promotes the true meaning of Christmas and the joy of giving to others!
I absolutely LOVE this idea – THIS is something I could get on board with. Thank you so much for sharing. I shared it on two of my FB pages today 🙂 Kindness Canada and Multi-Testing Mommy.
I’m doing #25DaysofKindness with #TheKindnessElf right now and we’re loving it! Sharing in case you’re interested. 🙂 Love all the Elf on the Shelf twists!
http://purposefulproductions.blogspot.com/2014/12/25-days-of-kindness-kindness-elf.html