Elf on the Shelf Ideas with Ribbon

11 Elf on the Shelf ideas that use ribbon. From simple scenes like "Toilet Ribbon Wrap" to more elaborate ones like "Numbered Advent Box Calendar", here's every idea from our catalog that calls for ribbon.

11 ideas Use the generator instead →
Bathroom ●●○○○

Toilet Ribbon Wrap

Wrap a festive ribbon or crepe paper around the closed toilet lid like a present. Pose the elf on top with a bow.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Living Room ●●○○○

Hanging Out with Christmas Bows

Stick a cluster of decorative bows together and entangle the elf in the ribbon. Hang the whole arrangement from a doorknob.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Living Room ●●○○○

Curtain Ribbon Swinger

Tie ribbon around curtain rod; hang elf on it.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Living Room ●●○○○

Ribbon Bow Wrapped

Wrap ribbon around elf as if small gift with decorative bow.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Living Room ●●○○○

Tangled in Ribbon

Wrap elf loosely in ribbon for playful tangled scene.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●○○○

Milk Carton Ribbon Captive

Tie ribbon around elf and milk carton to suggest milk has captured the elf.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Kitchen ●●●○○

Elf Ribbon Rock Climbing

Stick gift bows up a cabinet door like handholds and pose the elf climbing between them. Add a length of ribbon as his safety line.

Ages 4–10 Pet-safe 0
Living Room ●●●○○

Tied Up with Ribbon

Use ribbon or washi tape to bind elf with LEGO figures as captors.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Living Room ●●●○○

Grinch in Jar

Elf trapped in jar with ribbon suggesting capture of the Grinch.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Living Room ●●●○○

Chandelier Swinger

Tie elf upside down onto chandelier or light fixture.

Ages 3–10 Pet-safe 0
Living Room ●●●●○

Numbered Advent Box Calendar

Create numbered advent boxes and bags for each December day.

Ages 3–12 Pet-safe 0

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Frequently asked questions

Do I really need ribbon for these elf scenes?
These 11 ideas use ribbon as a key prop. Most allow substitutions — cotton balls for snow, ribbon for string, printed paper for a themed prop. Read each idea's "You'll need" list for specifics.
Where's the best place to get ribbon?
Most households already have ribbon on hand. If not, the affiliate link next to each prop in an idea's "You'll need" list goes to a Amazon search for that specific item.
Are any of these ribbon ideas pet safe?
Several are — check the "Pet safe" badge on individual idea cards, or use the Pet Safe filter from the main generator to narrow the list.