I don’t think there is a Christmas tradition more divisive than Elf on the Shelf. Some parents love it and others hate it and swear they will never do it. We are firmly in the trapped camp. We don’t love it anymore but now we are kind of trapped into doing it. I have discovered the secret to loving it instead of hating it, is being prepared with fun ideas. If it late at night and we are trying to think of an elf idea, that is when we hate it. When we know what the elf is doing each night we are more inclined to love it as much as our kids. Another way we have found to keep us loving it, is to think outside the box a little bit more, to get creative without getting messy. That is how Elf on the Shelf Costumes were born. The best part? Now that they are done I can put them in the Elf box and next year we have an easy day! They are incredibly easy to make and really fun!
Elf on the Shelf Costumes
You will need:
- a Cricut Maker or Scissors
- the pattern at the end of this post
- brown felt
- green felt
- thin elastic
- hot glue
- sequins and buttons
You may also like: Our Favorite Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Print the pattern from the bottom of this post out and then use it as a template to cut out the tree and the gingerbread person. Make sure to also cut out the oval for the face.
Cut a 3 inch strip of elastic and hot glue it to the back side of the costumes with the ends folded under, like in the photo above. Hot glue buttons and sequins in patterns all over your tree and gingerbread person to make it more festive. Use a hair dryer to melt away any extra hot glue strings. Slip the Elf on the Shelf Costumes over your elves and put them in the next fun spot to be found! I like putting them in the Elf on the Shelf Costumes in the Christmas tree!
Do you do Elf on the Shelf?
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Easy DIY Elf on the Shelf Costume
Materials
- a Cricut Maker or Scissors
- the pattern at the end of this post
- brown felt
- green felt
- thin elastic
- hot glue
- sequins and buttons
Instructions
- Print the pattern from the bottom of this post out and then use it as a template to cut out the tree and the gingerbread person. Make sure to also cut out the oval for the face.
- Cut a 3 inch strip of elastic and hot glue it to the back side of the costumes with the ends folded under
- Hot glue buttons and sequins in patterns all over your tree and gingerbread person to make it more festive.
- Use a hair dryer to melt away any extra hot glue strings.
- Slip the Elf on the Shelf Costumes over your elves and put them in the next fun spot to be found! I like putting them in the Elf on the Shelf Costumes in the Christmas tree!
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robin rue says
What a cute idea!!! Since our elf heads back to the north pole in 3 days, I will bookmark this to make them next year 🙂
Alli Smith says
These are too cute! I actually ordered outfits for my grandkid’s Elf. They were amazed when they woke up one morning and it was raining and the Elf was wearing a raincoat and rain boots. I need to do this next year when Elf comes back from the North Pole – so cute!
candy says
For those who do Elf on the Shelf making these cute little outfits is a wonderful idea. Turned out really adorable and I bet the kids love them. Easy to make.
Amber Myers says
These are some cute ideas! I might have to do this for our elf. Someone actually made a Minecraft block for our elf to wear, and my kids thought it was hilarious.
Jeanette says
Oh my gosh I had no idea that you could make elf on the shelf costumes. It would be fun to do for the kids. You are very creative and these are really funny.
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
Oh my goodness, what a cute idea! My daughter would love to see Mr. Sweets (our elf) in costume!
Tomi C says
I never dressed EOTS (the name we gave to our Elf on the Shelf) but I so wish I had one of these cute little costumes for his many pics.
Dennis says
These elf on the shelf costumes are so adorable! Your kind of creativity would be so useful in creating business graphics. We could use more elf on the shelf fun in the office. My mom always did elf on the shelf for my sister, and we still do it now.
Claudia k says
What a fun and festive idea! I would definitely do this if my kids were younger.
Lynn Woods says
I just learned about Elf on the Shelf this month at work. I don’t have kids so it was interesting to learn about it.
JDaniel4's Mom says
These are super cute! I think kids would love to help create costumes or disguises for their elves.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
We don’t do the elf on the shelf. I don’t particularly agree with the premise but know that many families out there enjoy it.
Ricci says
These are cute costume ideas for an Elf on the Shelf! I will have to pass this post off to my sister so she can get some ideas for next year!
Ali || Veggies by Candlelight says
Oh my gosh! These costumes are so adorable! I don’t do Elf on the Shelf, but I have a few friends who do and I’ll make sure to pass this so they can use these costumes next year!
Anosa says
I don’t have kids and my parents never did elf on the self thankfully as I am not a fan of it but I love the costume ideas
Mellissa says
These outfits are too cute! We never did Elf on the Shelf but I have friends with young kids that are having a blast. I even have a friend that’s a teacher enjoying the elf shenanigans. These outfits are adorable.
Our Family World says
These are cute outfits for the Elf, however, we have stopped doing Elf on the Shelf after one year because it scared my little nephews and nieces. I will share this with my friends though. Maybe they are still looking around for Elf costumes. Thanks for the idea.
Sarah Honey says
OMG so adorable. And what a great idea. I’m totally doing this tonight. Thanks for the idea!
David Elliott says
I have seen the clothes they have for the elves. But I never would have thought to make costumes for them on my own. My daughter would love doing this. Very cute.
Lori Green says
Love your website