Tech

20 insanely crafty 'Elf on the Shelf' ideas you'll wish you thought of first

Caroline Moss

2015-12-20T20:04:02Z

The "Elf on the Shelf" is more popular than ever, and parents are getting tired of having to come up with unique and artsy hijinks for their adopted Elf to get into night after night.

Unfamiliar with "Elf on the Shelf?" Read here.

If you only have a few minutes, here are the basics: It's a doll Elf. Your family adopts him. He appears in a different spot in the house each morning, and reports good and bad behavior back to Santa in the North Pole.

It was a simple concept until Pinterest came around. Now it's a competition to see who can get the craftiest.

And from what we've heard, parents are over it.

Here are our favorite "Elf on the Shelf" scenes from Instagram, Pinterest, and beyond.

Seems kind of violent?

Ain't nobody fuckin with my #elfontheshelf #starwars #bountyhunter #bobafett #christmas

A photo posted by President/CEO (@socor_made) on Dec 18, 2015 at 12:03pm PSTDec 18, 2015 at 12:03pm PST

This Elf loves 'Star Wars.'

Our elf is excited about Star Wars coming out today! #starwars #elfontheshelf

A photo posted by @ashleylawther on Dec 18, 2015 at 12:00pm PSTDec 18, 2015 at 12:00pm PST

And this one loves New York.

Timmy Tinsel is missing #newyork so much! He's got his eye on a trio of #rockettes... #elfontheshelf #radiocitychristmas #radiocitychristmasspectacular

A photo posted by Steve Carter (@stevecarter_) on Dec 18, 2015 at 12:00pm PSTDec 18, 2015 at 12:00pm PST

And what's going on here?

Into the lollies last night! #elfontheshelf #ellieandemmaelf #itsdecember #merrychristmas

A photo posted by @jacqihowe on Dec 18, 2015 at 11:54am PSTDec 18, 2015 at 11:54am PST

"I honestly don't need one more thing to clean up," a mother of 2 little kids told us.

#Elfontheshelf day 19

A photo posted by Marie Dean (@marie271985) on Dec 18, 2015 at 11:53am PSTDec 18, 2015 at 11:53am PST

This Elf loves Drake.

Y'all play entirely too much! #elfontheshelf #hotlinebling #Christmas

A photo posted by NTDubb (@ntdubb) on Dec 18, 2015 at 11:49am PSTDec 18, 2015 at 11:49am PST

This Elf got into the hair products.

Watch out now! #elf#elfontheshelf#salon#lol#olaplex#barbie#blonde

A photo posted by Leigh Ann💋 (@leighduzhair) on Dec 18, 2015 at 11:38am PSTDec 18, 2015 at 11:38am PST

There's actually a lot of Elf and Barbie integration.

Wait, this was a perfectly good pita!

This #elf is played out. #Prim thought today was a #good #day for a rest day! #PitaPit #elfontheshelf #pita 😴😃

A photo posted by Pita Pit Miramichi (@pita_pit_miramichi) on Dec 18, 2015 at 11:37am PSTDec 18, 2015 at 11:37am PST

The point of "Elf on the Shelf" was just to hide the Elf in a new location every morning, so your kids would think he moved overnight. See? Simple.

But now it's a competition between crafty parents.

Today, our Elf is giving you some more movie magic. "Practically perfect in every way." #marypoppins #julieandrews #classicmovies #12daysofchristmas #12daysElfontheShelf #elfontheshelf #christmas

A photo posted by Eric Erickson (@loadofscrap) on Dec 18, 2015 at 11:31am PSTDec 18, 2015 at 11:31am PST

That last pic was from Instagram user @loadsofcrap. He commented that he's going to recreate classic movie scenes with his Elves this year. Here's another one from "Titanic."

To celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas this year, our Elves on the Shelf are recreating their favorite movie moments. Day 1: "I'm Flying, Jack!" #titanicmovie #titanic #jackandrose #elfontheshelf #12daysofchristmas #moviemoment #12daysElfontheShelf

A photo posted by Eric Erickson (@loadofscrap) on Dec 13, 2015 at 11:40am PSTDec 13, 2015 at 11:40am PST

And "Harry Potter."

Our Elf on the Shelf learned some movie magic! #elfontheshelf #12daysofchristmas #12daysElfontheShelf #harrypotter #quidditch #gryffindor

A photo posted by Eric Erickson (@loadofscrap) on Dec 17, 2015 at 4:16pm PSTDec 17, 2015 at 4:16pm PST

Ack, so many puns.

Oooh watch me, watch me, oooh watch me whip ... #whip #naenae #watch me #elfontheshelf #elf #buddytheelf #buddy #christmas #christmascountdown #festive #fun

A photo posted by Kylie Marsh (@kyliemarshevents) on Dec 18, 2015 at 11:14am PSTDec 18, 2015 at 11:14am PST

What a scene. Are you crafty enough to take this on?

Do you wanna build a snowman?! Looks like Chipmunk & Olaf had some fun last night! ☃ #doyouwannabuildasnowman #elfontheshelf #elfontheshelf2015 #olaf #frozen #lynleeself

A photo posted by Lynlee Beckett (@lynleespetitecakes) on Dec 18, 2015 at 11:07am PSTDec 18, 2015 at 11:07am PST

This Elf stuffed himsELF inside a glass jar.

Dec 18 • Last day of school #elfontheshelf #magicofchristmas #ourelfstarry

A photo posted by Natasha McCulloch-Dengis (@picsbytasha) on Dec 18, 2015 at 10:59am PSTDec 18, 2015 at 10:59am PST

And this one is a little NSFW. (Think of the children!)

He has his #squad ready for tomorrow's #uglychristmassweaterparty #elfontheshelf

A photo posted by Frank Huerta (@frankh12) on Dec 18, 2015 at 10:56am PSTDec 18, 2015 at 10:56am PST

This Elf loves going to the gym.

// Elf on the shelf // Happy someone's able to get a workout in! Missing my barre babes while the hubby was traveling and the coodies took over our house- but I'm coming back!! 👯 💪🏼#elfontheshelf #iworkout #heavyweights #vitamins #waterbottle #stayhydrated #minitowel #staydry

A photo posted by Lourdes (@_styledbylulu) on Dec 18, 2015 at 10:36am PSTDec 18, 2015 at 10:36am PST

But Wesley Snipes is here to remind us what all parents are really thinking as Christmas draws near.

Hahaha 😂 #elfontheshelf

A photo posted by Ben Mackenzie (@ben1mac) on Dec 18, 2015 at 11:59am PSTDec 18, 2015 at 11:59am PST

Parenting Kids Christmas