Holiday

‘Tis the season for elf on the shelf. Now while we are a few weeks in, you may be looking for ideas to survive your entire month of bringing magic to the young ones. If you’re not entirely sure what elf on the shelf is, check out this really good article that also has some great ideas for you.

And if for some reason you don’t have your elf on the shelf yet, head on over to Amazon to get one quickly delivered. Just say that he was busy or if the kids were giving you problems this year, that he was debating whether to visit or not.

As a reminder, no one can touch the elf otherwise the magic is ruined! So make sure that where you choose to put him it’s out of high traffic areas from yourself, the kids and any pets!

All books the elf engaged in can be used them to read together with your child and the elf to continue to encourage the love of reading.

So with all the ideas out there, here are a few bookish ideas to give your elf some reading spirit!

1. Bookshelf Mess

Have your little elf in the middle of pulling a book out on the shelf and have a few of the other books all over the place. You can be sure to have your child help tidy up a bit and in the morning of the following day, the bookshelf will be all fixed.

2. Dress-up as a book character

If you are blessed with sewing and creative abilities, grab your kids favorite book and make a little costume (as much as you can manage but enough to get the point across) for your elf and have them put it on while propped up reading the book.

3. Write a note asking to read!

For some, you may find it challenging to get your child to practice reading so place the elf in a safe spot with a hand written note from the elf, asking your child to read their favorite book to it! We can’t not do what the elf asks, now can we?

4. Place him with food books or books with food.

If you enjoy food and have child themed books that have food in them, a great idea is to make one of the foods from the book (or go buy something close) and have the elf with the book, and the piece of food. Maybe it can be partially eating too!

5. Felt to make items.

There are many books where there are things being made, or items that look cool. You can use pieces of felt to have the elf try and re-create something in the book. In the morning your child can find the elf with the finished project or, if you aren’t as talented at crafts, just give it a good go and you can use the “he ran out of time” excuse!

6. A magical stack of book gifts.

Now this could be great for kids who have birthdays in December, or if you feel giving a few gifts early could work. Having your elf with a wrapped stack of gifts and have it as a gift that came from the elf could be exciting. Of course keep in mind other parents may not be giving gifts with their elf so don’t go too overboard.

7. Favorite book friends!

If your child has a book that is very important to them, or their absolute favorite, have the elf be found sitting reading the book or with it. It could have left a note stating how much they loved it. Get creative here but it’s a great way to have them bond a little bit through christmas magic.

8. Have him reading to stuffed animals or toys.

Have the elf sitting in front of all the toys, or some of your kids favorites, reading to them one of their favorite books. Of course be careful where you place the elf to avoid hands touching so  maybe the elf higher up and the toys on the ground.

9. Have them practice words to give the elf magic.

This idea came from SheSaved as I was out and about reading up on elf on the shelf, and I love this one! There’s a good chance your kid is learning new words so have them written on cards and set a rule maybe a few days to practice these words because they need to to recharge the elf’s magic! A great way to encourage the practicing but feed into the magic of the holidays!

For some other ideas, check out posts here as well that are more book specific!

With the holidays rapidly approaching, you may be wondering what to be getting people for the holidays. We all have a book lover in our lives, or  maybe we want to help point someone in a direction to get us something. However, I know wallets may be tight this holiday for some, so what can you get that is affordable (but not cheap) and is worth the money? Check out these few suggestions below that I am sure a book reader will love to receive this holiday season.

Amazon Fire 8 HD

This is a fantastic gift for a reader, if they don’t already have it. Usually priced at about $99, but worth watching for a sale for, it’s the perfect reading tablet to allow a reader who travels a lot or just has too many books to carry, to have access to all their reads all the time! I know it was a life changer for me so highly recommend. Even for non ebook readers, there’s many benefits to having one to access library apps like Libby to borrow books virtually or listen to audio books.

Fuzzy Blanket

You may laugh at this one, but most readers always love fuzzy blankets. It helps you curl up with a good book and keep warm as you travel the world. This one comes in a few colors, but if that one doesn’t catch your fancy, you can check out other fuzzy blankets here!

Amazon Fire Cover

Now this is just one option, there are tons of ones out there! And it will also depend if they have the Fire 7, Fire 8 HD, or any other kind of ebook reader! Generally ebook reader cases can be great. They can be designed like so, but since many readers collect stickers too, a blank canvas in a nice color (their favorite color is always good) would work too!

Reading Light

Reading lights are always good, as I’m sure you know a reader who is up all hours of the night with their nose in a book. You can get traditional lights like this, or other kinds as well! It’s an affordable option and you can never have too many in case one dies!

Book Stickers

Stickers are always great. You can get some basic ones like this, or choose from tons of other options as well. This is a great start, or find them their favorite book stickers if you know them like that!

Gift Kindle Unlimited

Now this is a gift that every reader would like! Being gifted access to Kindle Unlimited gives you access to so many books that you can read. You don’t need an e-reader to do so as you can read from your smartphone or laptop! This is a fantastic gift to surprise someone with that will be sure to be a gift they will enjoy!

Bookish Coasters 

Whether you’re a tea drinker, coffee lover or just want some water, coasters can never go wrong! This bookish style one is perfect for any reader in your life!

Reading Journal

While I have never personally been a fan of these, they are massive in the book community as a way to track your reads. There are some really fun ones out there to consider gifting to a reader or to gift yourself!

Gift an Audible Membership!

If you have an audio book lover in your life, you can gift them an audible subscription for this holiday! Make sure when you purchase it to check “This is a gift” to give it to someone!

Happy Reading & Happy Holidays!

2020 has been a brutal year, there is no two ways about it. Whether it be because of physical health struggles for people, mental health issues because of COVID-19 or financial issues, everyone is struggling one way or another. So what better way to re-duce a little stress, save on some money and bring out some memories by re-gifting!

My family sometimes enjoys re-giving old holiday cards from when I was really young and tell stories about that year. Sometimes there are some gifts that did not get all the use that they should and so they get re-packaged and set to be opened.

Sometimes people think re-gifting is cheap and tacky, and while with gifts you are giving to those outside your family that could be the case, within your family it can be sweeet!

Find a cute image you drew your parents as a kid and give it to them again and tell stories about your favorite time when you were that age. Maybe give your kids a  piece of jewelry from their grandparents that they may enjoy and cherish. Pull out that book from the bookshelf that was once their favorite and maybe they grew up and forgot about – it may bring back some joy or wonderful memories.

Each family is different, but maybe this year instead of buying something new we should be giving something old with history and memory.

It has been a tough year and we all need a little comfort in our lives. By regifting you get to save a little money and possibly relive a wonderful memory.

After all, the Holidays are not a time for buying things but spending time with family. For those who cannot be with their family this year because of COVID-19, maybe send something more personal than a new apron or video game.

Let’s all get a little closer and re-gift small things. Who knows, you may just get some family stories you’ve never heard before!