Elf Planner

Hand Drawn Self Portrait

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Living Room Difficulty ●●○○○ Messiness ●○○○○ Ages 3–10

How it's done

The elf stands next to a large hand-drawn self-portrait, showcasing its artistic side.

You'll need

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Pets in the house?

Should be fine around pets as long as you place it out of reach.

Why this works

Living-room scenes are the most photogenic. The Christmas tree, the couch, the mantel all frame the elf beautifully for the family photo you'll actually take (and maybe post). Difficulty 2 means it uses items you already own and takes about five minutes — quick but visibly intentional.

Variations

  • Bigger-kid twist: For an older crowd that sees through simple scenes, step up to Canvas Self Portrait Art — same room, cleverer setup.

If it doesn't go to plan

If the elf ends up too well-hidden and the kids can't find it, nudge them with a vague hint ("Looks like our elf went somewhere cozy") — the discovery is the point.

Credit: This idea comes from Penny Pinchin' Mom . Visit the original post for more ideas and photos.

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Also: See all Living Room ideas · Browse the full guide

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