Preparing for My Classroom Elf {Freebie Included}

Do you have a classroom elf? I am so excited to have one for the first time this year. My students have already begun to talk about their elves at home and I think this is the perfect way to bring some Christmas magic into my classroom (and hopefully a little management magic as well!) I have made arrangements for my elf to arrive via "Special Delivery" tomorrow morning.  I have a fun freebie to share with you as well. You will find it later on in this post!

My students were ENTHRALLED. Even the ones that already own the movie! It was perfect because it taught my students all about the elf and his job. 

Once the movie was complete, we wrote letters to Santa asking him to PLEASE send an elf to our classroom. One of my students started telling me all about how his elf at home made messes and kept getting into mischief. That sweet boy reminded me that I should write my own letter to Santa requesting a well-behaved elf for our classroom, so of course I did!

To begin, I wrapped the Elf on a Shelf gift box with brown parcel paper (available in the shipping aisle of most major stores - including Target). Instead of using tape, I glued the paper flaps together while I wrapped the gift. 

Santa is magical, after all. 

I'm sure he doesn't use tape on special delivery shipments. 

I gave the box a light spritz of Easy-Tack along the edges of the box and sprinkled a bit of white and gold glitter onto the adhesive. I didn't want to coat it in glitter, just create the appearance of a little North Pole magic clinging to the box. 

My Special Delivery elf box is all wrapped up and ready to deliver. It is currently sitting in the staff freezer at my school. Tomorrow morning, one of the secretaries will deliver the box to my classroom saying it arrived direct from the North Pole. 

When our classroom gift from Santa arrives, the elf will not be inside the box! 

Once the box is opened, a typed note from Santa himself will explain that our letters were received and an elf has been sent, but he is already on duty keeping a careful watch over our classroom. I love how the letter appears to have a real signature from Santa. (Boy and girl elf versions of the letter are also included in the FREE Classroom Elf Special Delivery from Santa Printable Set.) Keep reading to find out more.

I really want my classroom elf to remain secretly hidden until the package arrives from the North Pole (roughly an hour after our school day begins). I hunted ALL over the classroom trying to find a location that was visible, but somewhat hidden from my observant little friends. I think I finally found the perfect location. Can you see my classroom elf? 

This photo is taken from a student's seat. Can you see him now? 

What about now?

There he is! Hidden right beside the bathroom. 

Waiting oh-so patiently to be discovered. 

Keep your fingers crossed that my little friends are tired and groggy tomorrow morning! 

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