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If you’re looking for Catholic/Christian alternatives to Elf on the Shelf, below are a few ideas.
“Elf on the Shelf” is a stuffed elf doll that families set up in their homes each night in December who reports directly to Santa Claus if your children have been naughty or nice. Every night he finds a new hiding spot in the house and spends his days “spying” on your children to hopefully enforce good behavior before Christmas so they can receive presents.
Although there is nothing inherently wrong about this, many families feel as though this is not a time to be concerned about receiving presents from Santa, but a time to be reflecting on the Holy Family and Jesus’ birth,
Many families also don’t like the idea of teaching their children to be “nice” just because they’re being watched. They want their children to do the right thing, not out of the fear of getting caught, but because it’s the right thing to do. Children learn to love and serve others because they love and serve Jesus!
If this sounds like you and your family, keep reading for some Christian alternatives to Elf on the Shelf.
1.) Shepherd on the Search
During the Advent season, you begin reading the story of your shepherd’s journey to Jesus. Every day, you hide your shepherd and your children find him in a new place as your shepherd finds his way to the manger on Christmas day.
The box your shepherd comes in doubles as a stable/nativity!
2.) The Christmas Star from Afar
The Christmas Star From Afar has your children engage in a hide-and-seek game to follow the star, just like the Wise Men!
Each day the wooden star is hidden to a new spot. Once they have find the star they move all three Wise Men to it.
On Christmas morning, the three Wise Men reach their final destination where the star is found at the stable with baby Jesus.
The kit includes a book, a wooden star, wooden nativity scene, and scripture to use throughout the month.
3.) Mary on the Mantle
Follow Mary on the days leading up to Jesus’ birth by catching her “nesting” around your home. She performs various tasks like washing baby clothes, reading a pregnancy book, or planning her journey to Bethlehem.
The bundle includes a book to read with your children about Mary, a caregiver guide with ideas for each day to prepare for the birth of Jesus, acts of kindness card, and a Mary doll.
P.S. If you don’t want to buy the whole set, you can purchase the items individually.
4.) The Giving Manger
Throughout Advent, an empty manger is displayed.
Each act of kindness, service, or good deed that your child does allows them to put a piece of hay in the manger.
After a Advent full of good deeds, baby Jesus has a soft layer of hay to lay upon Christmas morning!
5.) Journey to Bethlehem
Using a nativity set to have Mary and Joseph travel around your home each day during Advent is a sweet little tradition that takes hardly any prep-work on your end. All you need are Mary and Joseph from your Nativity scene. (I’ve linked my current favorite wooden nativity set from Shining Light Dolls above.)
Each night, Mary and Joseph (and their donkey) travel around your home until they reach the stable that Jesus will be born at on Christmas Eve! It’s a scavenger hunt of sorts for your children each day.
So there you have it! 5 alternatives to Elf on the Shelf to bring Christ into the center of your Advent and Christmas preparations. I hope this was helpful.
Happy Advent!
