If you have for some reason decided to invite one of these things, also known as Elf on a Shelf, into your home – you have to come up with creative things for him/her to do each night.
So, what happens if your Elf “forgets” to move & the kids are demanding a reason?

Here are 40 Reasons why that weirdo didn’t move:
(some will only work in specific circumstances)
- Someone got out of bed (if Elf hears movement he won’t move for risk of being seen)
- It’s too warm in your house compared to the North Pole, he’s forgotten what to do!
- Elf would rather not report bad behavior, he saw what you did yesterday, you have one day to correct it
- He’s saving his energy for a BIG surprise tomorrow. Careful with this one 🙂
- Someone touched your Elf on the Shelf
- He fell asleep waiting for you to fall asleep, go to bed earlier tonight!
- Elf was not allowed to leave: Special black out dates
- Bad Weather, not safe for Elves to fly in
- Elf is Tired
- He’s frozen and can’t move
- Elves are afraid of heights and he is too scared to move
- He’s waiting to go until he has something good to report, do something good today!
- Oh no, Elf has the flu (or other illness)
- He tricked you! He left and came back to the exact same spot
- Fell Asleep, it’s hard work being an Elf!
- Dog or cat kept moving so he had to stay still
- It was too windy last night so he couldn’t fly
- Ate too many Christmas treats and was too full to move
- He worked from home and sent an email to Santa
- He might be stuck in place, let’s see what happens tomorrow
- He forgot he was in that place yesterday
- You probably woke up too early, try going back to bed and see if he has moved
- He’s finally found his favorite spot (every Elf has one)
- This is the best viewpoint to observe your behavior
- It was extra busy at the North Pole and he didn’t have energy to find a new spot
- He heard movement and got back into place quick
- Maybe he’s a fake and our real Elf is hiding somewhere else
- Maybe his arm or leg is stuck and he couldn’t move
- Maybe this time he is going to move during the day
- Your dad/mom/sister accidentally touched him so he couldn’t move
- He can see the TV really well from here, I think he stayed up all night watching!
- He forgot his keys and is waiting for them to come in the mail
- Maybe that’s not actually our Elf? Did another come in his place?
- Once it gets closer to Christmas the Elves only go back every other night
- There’s not enough Christmas Spirit around, try singing loud for all to hear!
- Yesterday was a Holiday so he didn’t have to work, we should really request a copy of his schedule!
- He stayed up late playing with your new toys and didn’t have time to think of a new spot
- It was too cold to leave last night
- He just likes our house SO much he hates leaving
- Play dumb. “I have no idea!”