An Elf on the Shelf Alternative

Elf on the Shelf alternative, Hide-and-Hug Olaf, Hide-and-Hug Olaf ideas, Elf on the Shelf alternative ideas, Christmas family fun,
Over the past several years it seems that every where you turn, you see something about Elf on the Shelf.  Let's be honest, those elves are creepy looking.  Plus who wants to clean up after the shenanigans that some of the elves do to the house?  Here's the alternative that we've been doing for the past two years.


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Elf on the Shelf alternative, Hide-and-Hug Olaf, Hide-and-Hug Olaf ideas, Elf on the Shelf alternative ideas, Christmas family fun,
Two years ago my mom bought us Hide-and-Hug Olaf.  The first year didn't go over so well.  It didn't help that for a week we were at Walt Disney World.  Yes, Olaf made the trip, but didn't do much while we were there.  Actually, he didn't do much the first year.  Michael didn't seem to interested in it.  I mean, he loved the story that came with Olaf, but that was about it.

Elf on the Shelf alternative, Hide-and-Hug Olaf, Hide-and-Hug Olaf ideas, Elf on the Shelf alternative ideas, Christmas family fun,
Last year was when Michael was really into it.  Basically the story talks about how Olaf loves hugs.  Olaf decides that he wants to play Hide-and-Seek to then be able to claim his hug.  After reading the story to Michael, we told him that he would have to look for Olaf every morning until Christmas and give him a hug once he finds him.

Elf on the Shelf alternative, Hide-and-Hug Olaf, Hide-and-Hug Olaf ideas, Elf on the Shelf alternative ideas, Christmas family fun,
Olaf, I don't think, missed a day.  I think he had so much fun playing around our house and with some of Michael's toys.

Elf on the Shelf alternative, Hide-and-Hug Olaf, Hide-and-Hug Olaf ideas, Elf on the Shelf alternative ideas, Christmas family fun,
Yes, I know Olaf is not really alive or moving himself around the house.  My very imaginative husband came up with most of the places to "hide" Olaf last year.  I honestly think Jon had as much fun coming up with stuff as Michael did finding Olaf every morning.

Elf on the Shelf alternative, Hide-and-Hug Olaf, Hide-and-Hug Olaf ideas, Elf on the Shelf alternative ideas, Christmas family fun,
So, we bring Olaf and the book out on Black Friday morning.  There's no set time for you to start this.  If you want to wait until December, go for it.  Last year Olaf was pretty much kept on the main floor.  Not sure if Olaf will venture elsewhere this year.

Elf on the Shelf alternative, Hide-and-Hug Olaf, Hide-and-Hug Olaf ideas, Elf on the Shelf alternative ideas, Christmas family fun,
You can see what different ideas we came up with last year with all the pictures above.  One of my favorites was Olaf doing a selfie with some of his Christmas buddies.  We took Michael's VTech Kidizoom camera and actually took a picture that looked like it was a selfie done by Olaf himself.  Another one was Olaf playing two-players with Charlie Brown on the Wii-U.  I think Michael got the biggest kick out of that one.  I'm looking forward to the new ideas we come up with this year.  Do you have Hide-and-Hug Olaf?  If so, what fun places does Olaf hide in your house?

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1 comments

  1. Why have I not heard of this one yet!?! We are doing Melk the Christmas Monkey this year. http://bit.ly/2hTbp27

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