🎄 Christmas
Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Planner for December
Nothing wakes a mom up faster than hearing little feet in the hallway and realizing the darn elf has not moved.
A little planning can save you from that 6:30 a.m. scramble. This free Elf on the Shelf planner helps you organize your elf shenanigans for December, keep track of the supplies you’ll need, and stash a few bonus ideas for the nights when your brain has officially checked out.
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Get my free Elf on the Shelf printable planner (bottom of post) and head over to my 25 funny Elf on the Shelf ideas plan your month and enjoy a little peace of mind.
There’s even a spot for materials needed just in case you decide to make things interesting and you need to remind yourself to prep.
You’ll be able to use it as an Elf on the Shelf planning calendar every year.
Download the free December Elf Planner at the bottom of this post, then browse all my Elf Ideas to start filling it with funny setups, easy printables, arrival ideas, and last-minute saves.
There’s a place to plan each day’s activity and write down any materials you need to gather ahead of time. Because discovering at bedtime that tomorrow’s idea requires balloons, marshmallows, and a miniature toilet is not exactly relaxing.
You can reuse the planner every year, switch out the ideas your kids remember, and keep the favorites that still make them laugh.
And since the elf is only one tiny part of the December circus, you’ll also find plenty of Christmas Party Ideas for treats, games, decorations, and festive family fun.
🧝 More Elf Fun
Need fresh inspiration for your mischievous little elf? These clever, crafty, and laugh-out-loud ideas will keep the Christmas magic alive all season long!
💩 Elf Poop Ideas – Potty humor at its festive finest — the kids will lose it!
🎨 Elf Crafts – Creative DIY projects to make your elf’s adventures extra special.
😈 Bad Elf Ideas – When your elf decides to go rogue, these setups bring the laughs.
📝 Elf Printables – Handy printables to make planning your elf’s antics easy-peasy.
Download the Free December Elf Planner
Choose the format that works best for you:
Printable PDF – Print the planner and write in your ideas by hand.
Editable Canva Template – Type in your plans, make changes, and print the completed planner.
Excel Spreadsheet – Add, rearrange, and save your ideas in Excel or Google Sheets before printing. This one is less pretty but if you like spreadsheets it works great.
Scroll down to get your free Elf on the Shelf planner and give yourself one less thing to panic about this December.
For even more help surviving the season, check out my 7 practical ways you can reduce your Christmas stress and make December feel a little less crazy.
Elf on the Shelf FAQs
When should I start planning Elf on the Shelf ideas?
It’s helpful to plan your ideas in November, before your elf arrives. You do not need to plan an elaborate activity for every day. A mix of simple hiding spots, printable activities, and a few bigger setups will make December much easier.
How many days do you do Elf on the Shelf?
Many families have their elf arrive around Thanksgiving weekend or December 1 and leave on Christmas Eve. That usually means planning approximately 24 days of ideas, although families can choose any arrival date that works for them.
Does the Elf on the Shelf have to move every night?
Traditionally, the elf moves to a new place during the night. However, the elf does not need to create an elaborate scene every day. Simply moving it to another shelf, room, or easy hiding place is enough to keep the tradition fun.
What should I do if I forget to move the Elf on the Shelf?
Move the elf while the kids are distracted, leave a note explaining that it was resting, or say that it loved its spot so much it stayed another day. You can also keep several quick backup ideas on your December Elf Planner for nights when you forget.
What supplies should I keep for Elf on the Shelf ideas?
Useful supplies include tape, string, balloons, candy canes, mini marshmallows, washable markers, construction paper, googly eyes, small boxes, and printable elf notes. Keep everything together in a small bin so you are not digging through the craft closet after bedtime.
Don’t forget to pin this Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Planner:
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If you’ve already subscribed, you can get the password from the bottom of any email I send and go directly to the Free Downloads Library.
Check out our Christmas printables
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Thank you for the elf on shelf printables