Kinder Craze

A Kindergarten Teaching Blog

Preparing for My Classroom Elf
 {Freebie Included}

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Do you have a classroom elf? I am so excited to have one for the first time this year. My students have already begun to talk about their elves at home and I think this is the perfect way to bring some Christmas magic into my classroom (and hopefully a little management magic as well!) I have made arrangements for my elf to arrive via “Special Delivery” tomorrow morning.  I have a fun freebie to share with you as well. You will find it later on in this post!

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase through one of my links, which helps to support the blog.

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Introducing the Elf

Many of my students already have elves at home, but a few do not and I knew it was important to teach those students about the Elf's magic and his role as Santa's helper. I bought An Elf's Story DVD and we watched it as a special treat in class last week.

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My students were ENTHRALLED. Even the ones that already own the movie! It was perfect because it taught my students all about the elf and his job.
This teacher had great ideas for using an elf in her classroom!
Once the movie was complete, we wrote letters to Santa asking him to PLEASE send an elf to our classroom. One of my students started telling me all about how his elf at home made messes and kept getting into mischief. That sweet boy reminded me that I should write my own letter to Santa requesting a well-behaved elf for our classroom, so of course I did!

Preparing for the Elf's Arrival

As you probably already know, Santa's helper elves arrive in a special Elf on the Shelf gift box. This super-durable box is made to last for many years. The package includes a hardcover Elf on the Shelf book and cute little elf (available in boy or girl versions.)

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Santa will be sending a boy elf to my classroom this year and he asked me to help him prepare a few fun twists as I kick off this new classroom tradition.

Special Delivery Parcel Packaging from Santa

When Santa makes a delivery, he makes a SPECIAL delivery, direct from the North Pole!

I wanted this  gift from Santa to be extra-special so I added a little Christmas magic.

To begin, I wrapped the Elf on a Shelf gift box with brown parcel paper (available in the shipping aisle of most major stores – including Target). Instead of using tape, I glued the paper flaps together while I wrapped the gift.

Santa is magical, after all.

I'm sure he doesn't use tape on special delivery shipments.

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Once the gift was wrapped, it needed a “Special Delivery from Santa” label. I printed and cut out the label then used a glue stick to attach it to the center of the box. You'll find a freebie for downloading a printable version in my FREE Classroom Elf Special Delivery from Santa Printable Set (available at the bottom of this post).

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The gift from Santa was shaping up and almost ready for the freezer, but it still needed a little bit of Christmas magic.

Hellllloooo, glitter and spray adhesive!
FREE printables to use with your classroom elf

I gave the box a light spritz of Easy-Tack along the edges of the box and sprinkled a bit of white and gold glitter onto the adhesive. I didn't want to coat it in glitter, just create the appearance of a little North Pole magic clinging to the box.

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My Special Delivery elf box is all wrapped up and ready to deliver. It is currently sitting in the staff freezer at my school. Tomorrow morning, one of the secretaries will deliver the box to my classroom saying it arrived direct from the North Pole.

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A Letter from Santa

When our classroom gift from Santa arrives, the elf will not be inside the box!

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Once the box is opened, a typed note from Santa himself will explain that our letters were received and an elf has been sent, but he is already on duty keeping a careful watch over our classroom. I love how the letter appears to have a real signature from Santa. (Boy and girl elf versions of the letter are also included in the FREE Classroom Elf Special Delivery from Santa Printable Set.) Keep reading to find out more.

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I couldn't resist taking a classroom snapshot of my new Elf friend.
This is going to be so much fun!

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Finding the Perfect Spot for my Elf

I really want my classroom elf to remain secretly hidden until the package arrives from the North Pole (roughly an hour after our school day begins). I hunted ALL over the classroom trying to find a location that was visible, but somewhat hidden from my observant little friends. I think I finally found the perfect location. Can you see my classroom elf?

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This photo is taken from a student's seat. Can you see him now?
fun ideas for using a classroom elf
What about now?
fun ideas for using a classroom elf
There he is! Hidden right beside the bathroom.
fun ideas for using a classroom elf
Waiting oh-so patiently to be discovered.
Keep your fingers crossed that my little friends are tired and groggy tomorrow morning!

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FREE Classroom Elf Printable Pack

Make preparations for Santa to send an elf to your classroom, Kinder Craze style! Download my FREE Classroom Elf Special Delivery from Santa printable set. The set includes printable labels, a typed letter from Santa, and a writing template so your students can write letters requesting an elf from Santa. Click the image below to access the free download.

Please note that the download will be sent directly to your email inbox. Most school email filters prevent this type of message from being delivered. I highly recommend using your personal email account to sign up for the freebie.

Classroom elf Update

Want to see more of my elf?  Check out photos of my elf in action!

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Happy Holidays!

Fun Ideas for the Holidays

Looking to get into the spirit of the holidays? These posts offer great fun ideas for all while emphasizing the magic of the season.

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Comments

  7. WOW, WOW, WOW!! All of your ideas here are ‘ELF-TASTIC’ ! Thank you so much for sharing! I look forward to reading about all the amazing and fun adventures of your little friends and their new elf friend! How exciting!

    Reply

  8. Thank you so much for the freebie and sharing how you will be introducing your elf to the class. What kind of camera do you have? Your product pics are always so bright and crisp. Thanks again!!!
    Erin Palleschi
    Once Upon A Classroom

    Reply

  12. You have come to my rescue once again! Thank you so much Maria for everything you do! I so very much appreciate everything you do but I’m most grateful that you share it with the rest of us! Have a wonderful Christmas season.

    Reply

  15. Yesterday my kindergarten peeps wrote letters to Santa and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our elf. Since I only have 2 girls this year the girls desperately want a girl elf and of course the boys would like a boy elf so they asked for both or as one boy put it a 1/2 boy 1/2 girl elf. I am trying to decide if the elf should arrive first thing next week or be ready for St. Nicholas’ Day, either way they are excited and ready for our new friend. I can’t wait to see their faces when the box arrives at our classroom!

    Reply

    • I’m so sorry to hear that! Most school email filters prevent the email from coming through. I highly recommend using a personal email account to access the freebie.

      Reply

  17. I am looking for your elf on the shelf freebie. I have used it in the past and can no longer find it. Am I missing it somehow?

    Reply

    • Hi Carmen,
      You need to click the cover image of the free download at the bottom of the blog post. Once you click the image, you can sign up to have it sent directly to your email inbox.

      Reply

  18. Hello, I’ve been using your Elf idea for the past 2 years but I can no longer access the special delivery printable set. Is there anyway you can email it to me?

    Reply

  19. I wanted to use the special delivery printable set, but I am unable to access it :(. This is my first year in K and my first year to do an elf on the shelf in my classroom. This was the cutest delivery I found. Is there anyway to still access this?

    Reply

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