Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Christmas is magical with kids. This was the first year our family has done the Elf on the Shelf and boy am I glad we jumped on the elf bandwagon. I have read several articles and blogs about why some are against the elf and for the reasons I have heard, I can agree. However, Christmas is about Christ and that will always be the center of our celebrations and secondly, our elf that we named Ruby, is not naughty. She does not toilet paper or play dirty little tricks, which if you search for elf on the shelf ideas there are plenty of... Our Ruby is sweet. She brought us treats and activities, she made us laugh at the innocent and fun things she got into like eating a bowl of cereal or reading our books or playing a game. With all honesty,  I was really sad to say goodbye to Ruby on Christmas Eve. She has added a fun spark of magic to our home. I already miss waking up and hearing, "Let's go find Ruby!!"Below you will find several ideas that I hope will be a help. We will miss our Ruby. She just may need to pay a couple surprise visits through the year! We love our Ruby. 

Ruby's grand arrival!

coloring

sleeping under the tree with baby doll bed, blanket & pillow.

Ruby helped herself to some cereal and wrote the girls' names.

fishing for goldfish.

watching a Christmas movie and having a little snack.

cooking in the girls' kitchen. 

Ruby brought us donuts one morning complete with green milk. 

Ruby likes playing Candy Land. 

And she is quite the architect! 

She also brought us all that we needed to decorate christmas trees!

She followed us to grandma's house. 

Poor Ruby caught a cold, but she got well quick. 

She left us some hot chocolate to drink.

Ruby wanted to make a reindeer footprint also. 

One morning she left us chocolate coins in the cash register. 

And she wanted us to play a game of Holiday Matching.

She made us some beautiful snowflakes.

Ruby left us a message from Santa.

Ruby's goodbye letter on Christmas Eve, 

Santa lifted her magic for a few minutes so the girls could say goodbye. 

Tis the Season for a GIVEAWAY!

I feel like I have been missing in action and probably will be for the next couple weeks. We are thoroughly enjoying our Christmas Season around here. I hope you are too! My Christmas gift to you is a GIVEAWAY from the very talented LEXI RAE PHOTOGRAPHY! She has taken my children's yearly photos, blessing photos as well as family photos and I am always impressed! She is so much fun to work with and is incredible with kids. She captures personalities beautifully and is so patient. She has so many fun props, backgrounds, outfits/hairbows! Below you will find a few photos of her work, but please visit her blog at www.lexiraephoto.blogspot.com to see all of her amazing work!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: Lexi Rae Photography is graciously offering one free child studio session- up to 2 children, excludes newborns. ($165 value) The giveaway will run Tuesday, December 17, 2013 and will close Monday, December 23, 2013. A winner will be randomly selected and posted Tuesday, December 24th by noon. Session will be valid 2014 and must be used by July 1, 2014. Lexi Rae Photography is located in Highland, Utah. 

HOW TO ENTER: Visit both Motherhood in the Major Leagues and Lexi Rae Photography's Facebook pages and must be followers of BOTH pages. Simply "LIKE" each page and then comment below on this post that you have done so. 

ADDITIONAL ENTRY: For an additional entry share this giveaway on your Facebook wall or blog and then comment on this blog post letting me know you have done so, IN A SEPARATE COMMENT THAN THE ENTRY ABOVE!!! 

ALL ENTRIES WILL BE VERIFIED! 

Ultimate Gift Wrapping Ideas & Tips that include gifting money & gift cards

Giving money?

Follow this to learn how to origami a dollar bill!

Gift Wrapping

Love this gift wrapping tutorial. Are you gift wrapping skills up to par?
Also, love this post on how to tie a perfect ribbon!

Gift Card Giving Ideas

Mason Jar filled with candy and tied with a ribbon. 

Mint box. Use scrapbook paper to decorate. 

CD cover. 

Elf on the Shelf

Our elf's name is Ruby and she is very loved in our home. I think we get just as excited as our two year old! Here are the first 10 days of Dec. Check back as I will continue to add ideas. What is your elf's name and what has he/she done? Would love to see your ideas! Please leave a comment!