Untraditional Ways to do the Elf on the Shelf

Let's talk Elf on the Shelf.  (again)

Some of you hate him.  Ahem, I mean some of you loathe him.  Some of you think he's creepy.  Some of you don't like the message he brings.  Some of you play along just for your children's sake.  And some of you have as much fun with him as your children do. 

No matter where you stand on the Elf on the Shelf debate, I think we can all agree that there are some very clever people out there who have done their own twists on the Elf on the Shelf tradition.  I thought I'd gather some of my favorite ideas & share them with you! 

Anna from The Imagination Tree uses Kindness Elves that suggest doing nice things for other people.  I thought this was a great way to teach children that Christmas isn't ALL about them. 

{Read it here}

{Pin for later}

Anna's idea can be combined with these cute Acts of Christmas Kindness printables...

{Read it here}

{Pin for later}

Stephanie from Crayon Marks and Tiger Stripes shares how she does the Elf on the Shelf: Jesus Style.
(she also has a free printable letter on this post)

{Read it here}

{Pin for later}

Michelle from Trust Me, I'm a Mom (wait, that's me!) told about how our elf (Evan) helps to encourage positive behavior at our house. 
(there's also a free printable on this post)

{Read it here}

{Pin for later}

And for those of you who want to bring a little bit more of Christ into your home, there's this cute little angel that you can buy to watch over your kids, instead. 

{Read it here}

{Pin for later}

Eryn from Mamma Hall tells about how they use an Advent Angel.

{Read it here}

{Pin for later}

Christianne at Little Page Turners uses a Christmas Mouse filled with personality at her house.  He hides & leaves cute assignments for the kids. 

{Read it here}

{Pin for later}

I think you could combine any of these ideas to make a simple version of Elf on the Shelf that works for you & your family. 

For other fun Christmas ideas, be sure to follow my Christmas board on Pinterest! 

Tell me... What do you use (or do) at your house?  Elf on the Shelf or something else?