Elf in Training- Day 1 

1. Donate Towels or Blankets to an animal shelter.
2. Write down someone’s best qualities then give him or her the note.

Elf in Training Day 2

1. Tell what you Love about each of your family members

• Use a cheerful card or notepad and write down what you love about each of your family members.

2.  Volunteer your time.

Here are some suggestions:

• Volunteer to wish the dishes.
• Volunteer to help with laundry.
• Volunteer to help in the community.

For kids this could be as simple as helping around the house or asking to do something other then their regular chores. For adults, look up a local food bank, cook a meal for new parents, help put wreaths/flowers at a memorial or look for someone who needs help out and about.

Elf in Training Day 3

1. Our first fun Challenge!!!

• Cookie Decorating Contest!!  We purchased gingerbread men at the local store. Today we will pull out icing, candy, and treats to decorate cookies!  Awards will be giving for most creative, delicious and silly.

2. Spend the day being positive without complaining. If you find yourself being critical, find a reason to be grateful.

• Already this has been put into play today!  Even for my husband and I this goal is a challenge so asking the kids to focus on this task, well, it is fun!  This morning, after a grumbling on who got to call Santa on our communicator, we really had to take a deep breath, try and remain neutral and mediate between our three elves.  As the sparks flew my husband and I listed what we thought was positive about each trainee (even as we personally tried to keep calm, LOL).  The situation was quelled and defused thankfully quickly.  We look forward to what else this task will bring, who knows, maybe dinnertime grumblings?

Elf in Training Day 4

1. Befriend Somone New

• If you have kids, head out to the park and meet new friends.
• Say hello to someone waiting in line.
• Listen to someone’s story.

2. Shake Hands with Someone

• Pratice your hand shake and greet someone new today with a smile!

Elf in Training Day 4

1. Greet at least 5 people and say a kind word to them.

For kids:

• Say hello to the teachers at school.
• Greet your friends as they start their day.
• Say something kind to your brother(s) or sister(s).
• Say something nice to and about yourself.
• Wave at the neighbors.

For Adults:

• Pause in line at the grocery story and give the person ahead or behind you a smile.
• At work give an greet your co-workers with a positive start.
• Say something special to your spouse or significant other.
• Be kind and extra loving to your kids, spend time with them.
•  Be courteous to the car ahead or behind you.

2. Donate a Toy or Book you no Longer Need

The kids each picked out a couple toys or books to give to charity today.  Goodies will be dropped off this afternoon.

Elf in Training Day 6

1. Leave an anonymous thank you note for a teacher, friend or co-worker.

Has someone made a difference in you or your child’s life?  Leave them a simple thank you.  You can add your name or keep it a secret.  Just remember to give away positive encouragement!

2. Give away an Ornament to a Friend or Stranger

This falls perfect in line with our family holiday activity.  I’ll have the kids make an extra ornament so they can keep one and give one away.

Elf in Training Day 7

1. Put Money in the Salvation Army Bucket

Plunk a couple coins in the local Salvation Army Bucket.  Loose change in your car, purse or wallet, it doesn’t have to be much, every little bit helps!

2. Contribute to a Food Drive

This is the season for giving and numerous centers are hosting Food Drives. In fact our girls school is asking for contributions this week.

Elf in Training Day 8

1. Make and distribute a blessing bag to a homeless person:

Here are some ideas to include in a blessing bag:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Tissues
• Baby Wipes
• Bandaids
• Disposable razor
• Water
• Nuts
• Granola Bar
• Crackers and cheese
• Socks
• Comb
• Deodorant
• A personal note
• A list of shelters or food banks in the area

2. Bring Coffee to your Teacher or Co-worker

Who doesn’t love a cup of warm, delightful coffee on a chilly day? Share the love with a cup of coffee.  Don’t have a child in school, splurge on a cup for a friend or coworker. I may head over to the local coffee shop, grab a couple of gift cards and drop them into the teachers boxes unannounced.

Elf in Training Day 9

1. Help Someone With a Chore

See someone that needs an extra hand? Today, reach out and offer some help.  Better yet, observe something that needs to be done, pitch in and help without being asked.

****Elf Challenge 2

It’s time for another Elf Challenge

The Rudolf Workout Race:

• Hide from the Elves (Hide and Seek)
• Sneak the bag of cookies from Santa (Walk on tiptoes)
• Pratice the art of flying (BirdDogs)
• Leaping off roofs (Squat Jumps)

Adults check out the The Santa Claus Workout video from The Art of Manliness !

Elf in Training Day 10

1. Write a Positive Message and Post it in a Public Place

Places to Post a Positive Message:

• A Community Board
• A Local Coffee Shop
• Panera or Starbucks
• The Post Office
• A Local Library

 2. Write a compliment to the server at a restaurant and tip extra.

Add a thank you, a smile or an compliment then add a couple dollars extra to your bill.

Elf in Training Day 11

1. Give a Random Person a Christmas or Holiday Card

Our annual Christmas cards were sent off this weekend so the girls sure enjoyed illustrating one of their own to deliver to a random family. We hope it put a smile on their face!

2. Donate Gift(s) to Charity

Locate a local charity to donate a gift.  It could be as simple as cans for a soup kitchen or donating a toy to Toys for Tots.  Local churches also have trees adorned with angels to support local children.  This year we choose to join hands with other families to give back to children in our town.

Looking for more inspiration, check out on of my favorite Christmas books: The 13th Gift  by Joanne Huist Smith.  This heartwarming story reveals how Random Acts of Kindness transformed the life of one family during the Christmas season inspiring them, in turn, to give back.  One of the reasons we incorporate Random Acts of Kindness into our holiday season, this book brings forth the importance of love and giving.

Elf in Training Day 12

1. Write a kind word or message on a notecard and leave them in a random location.

• Personalize little messages to your family and place them around the house (on mirrors, in the refrigerator, in their lunch box or on their dinner plate)
• Write positive notes and post them around the community (at the coffee house, in the post office, a local dinner or a community board).

2. Donate Pet Supplies to an Animal Shelter

Even sweet little dogs, cats and other pets need extra love this season. Consider donating pet supplies to a local animal shelter.

Elf in Training Day 13

1. Learn about a kind person who made a positive contribution to the world.

Here is a list of people who have made a positive contribution to the world. 

Kids site for learning about positive leaders. 

1. Drop off flowers or baked goods to a stranger, friend or neighbor.

Elf in Training Day 15

1. Pick up Litter

Unfortunately this activity won’t be a popular choice with my kids.  However, I think they will get into the spirit of helping this afternoon as we turn this activity into a fun holiday litter hunt.

2. Thank someone today.

Has someone been kind and courteous?  Have my children received a special treat or surprise? Has someone held the door for me?  Today we will practice the art of being thankful!

Elf in Training Day 16

1. Make someone’s day- tell a friend why you appreciate them.

Call, text or Snapchat a cheerful greeting to a friend.  Why are they special, tell them!

2. Take some time out to spend with a family member.

Today we have a special treat with the kids, the girls and I are going to tea with Mrs. Claus and my husband and son are visiting Santa at the Duck Donuts.

Elf in Training Day 17

1. Write friendly messages on sticky notes and pass them out to friends, family or strangers.

Everyone loves to hear a friendly word or kind thought so today we will write little messages of joy on sticky notes and pass them around.

2. Drop off flowers to a stranger, friend or neighbor and plant the seed of kindness.

What’s better then a surprise treat?  Pick up a small bunch of flowers or a poinsettia.  Either hand it over to someone in the parking lot or play it safe and deliver to your neighbor.  Depending on how adventurous you feel, this task can deliver loads of smiles!

Elf In Training Day 18

1. Place a fun surprise in the mailbox for your mailman.

Leave a holiday card or a small cheerful gift for your mail carrier.

2. Do Something Sweet for Someone

Oh what fun this adventure will be, the choices are endless! Will we treat someone to coffee, draft a fun letter or plunk extra change in the Salvation Army Bucket? Today we get to be creative with our combined family activity and Random Acts of Kindness!

Looking for some ideas, check out a couple of these resources:

Friendship About is filled with easy and simple Acts of kindness, this website is sure to fill your Kindness ideas bucket!

This BuzzFeed Post is chalk full of 101 ideas to do something sweet for someone!

Elf in Training Day 19

1. Write down what you most love about each family member

Paper, pens, stickers and notecards are ready for this fun family activity.  Today we are writing what we love most about each family member.  What better way to show you care then a handwritten note to make them smile.

2. Take a treat to school or work

It’s holiday celebration at school today.  So, the girls each have a yummy treat to share with their classes.  What’s better then peppermint covered cookies?! Yum!

Elf in Training Day 20

1.  Learn to wrap a gift.

Then race to see who can wrap a gift the fastest. A fun event challenge on our first day of winter break.  A little tape, a bit of paper and a lot of laughs for this fun event.

2. Thank someone today.

A door held open, a kind word, a special greeting offer a simple thank you in return.

Elf in Training Day 21

1. Tell a Joke

Knock, Knock jokes, silly one liners, anything to keep the kids laughing on our holiday drive.

2. Say “Hi” to someone today.

Out and about, be kind to someone, smile and say, Hi!

Elf in Training Day 22

1. Double Tip at a Restaurant or Coffee House

Make a service workers day, give them a treat this holiday season and add a little extra to their tip.

2. Smile at Someone Today ~ Kindness is Contagious!

Elf in Training Day 23

1. Thank a Service Member or First Responder

We are so thankful for all our first responders and service members so today we are giving back to our community.  A simple thank you wi help but we wish to bring some treats for them to enjoy.

2.  “Dress you Best Elf” Contest

Along with Christmas Caroling, we will have a Dress your Best Elf Contest.  Ugly Sweaters, Elf Ears, Adorable outfits are all welcome.  Awards will be given for the most creative, best dressed, craziest and silliest.

Elf in Training Day 24

1. Put Extra money in a Strangers Parking Meter

Treat someone to some extra time on their parking meter, today add an extra quarter or two.

2. Stop by a local laundry mat and leave a couple quarters.

If there anything better then finding extra change? Surprise someone with this easy but simple treat!

3. Make a New Friend

Say hello and strike up a conversation today make a new friend.  Looking for location to meet someone new, head to a local dog park, dine in a warm coffee shop,  strike up a conversation doing some last minute shopping or message someone Merry Christmas wishes on Facebook.

Elf in Training Day 25

1. Pray for Someone

Today we will be intentional about our thoughts and pray for others who needs an extra boost of love.