Elf Planning and Organizing Ideas

So your elf is on the way back from the North Pole. But this year, you’ll be ready thanks to some easy elf planning and organizing ideas…

Let’s face the music, fellow parent. December is hard. So many items on the to do list. So many expectations to manage. People to place. Gifts to wrap. Teachers to remember.

And then there’s the elf.

If you didn’t love Christmas so much, you might actually consider doll manslaughter. Or stage a magical disappearance that sadly goes unsolved…for years.

But alas, you’re an awesome parent. And you do what needs to be done in order to make every holiday season the BEST. CHRISTMAS. EVER…(said in a Clark Griswoldian voice).

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And this Christmas really will be the best ever, because despite the fact that the elf is on his way, this December will be different.

No more late-night anxiety attacks over the lack of elf ideas. You’re going to be ready, Mama. You’re going to be be prepared, like you learned back in boy scouts, Daddy.

Today we’re sharing some of our simple elf planning and organizing ideas so that your elf-time will be fun, and stress-free.

3 Keys to Optimize Your December Elf Planning and Organization:

Ensuring a tear-free December depends on three basic steps. And to be clear, we’re talking parental tears, not your kids. I was tempted to include wine as a fourth ingredient, but I decided that wasn’t quite in the spirit of the season (maybe).

1. Plan Your Antics Ahead of Time

11:45pm on the evening of December 7 is the worst possible time to decide what your elf is going to do the next day. Christmas magic requires a little more foresight if we’re going to get through this season without the wine and tears.

To help you, I created this free printable Elf Antics Calendar. Simply click on the link or the image below to download, and then start filling it out NOW with your ideas.

2. Gather and Prep Elf Props Now.

Once you have your ideas jotted down, then gather all your props and supplies. I’m a HUGE fan of printable elf antics. Why? A couple reasons:

• Printables are portable, and easy to hide from spying eyes
• Printables are inexpensive. You could spend LOTS of money on elf props, but printables are relatively cheap.
• There are SO many creative ideas for printables, and they’re easy to stage
• They aren’t messy
• Printables can be stored and organized so easily and compactly

In fact, I love them so much that we launched Elf-911, a shop full of NOTHING BUT elf printables to help parents keep the elf magic, but ditch the elf stress!

And you can grab a free one here from me, too! ⤵

3. Organize, Store, and Stash Your Elf Gear.

With all your elf gear gathered, you’re ready to organize and store it til your elf’s arrival.

My favorite way to accomplish this uses just a few supplies…

I stash printable backgrounds and other larger printable items in a simple pocket folder to keep them neat and organized without getting wrinkled.

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Once I fill out my idea calendar, I create an index card for each day of the month.

Daily elf antic supplies and gear each get an individual ziploc bag, and the dated index card also gets placed inside.

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When you’re done with this process, you should have an individually labeled bag for each day of December.

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Then simply place all the closed ziploc bags in your plastic storage bin, close it up, and put your feet up and relax!

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You’re ready for the elf antics to begin! No worry, stress, or late-night panic attacks wondering what the heck your elf will be up to the next day.

You’re an elf custodian who is now calm, collected, and totally in control! Congratulations you awesome parent, you!

This is bound to be the BEST. CHRISTMAS. EVER!

Be sure to check out all the done-for-you printable elf fun at our Elf 911 shop!

Pin this project for later! And if you decide to try it, leave a comment on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try it, too!

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