Our elf was missing the North Pole, so he booked a very short holiday in the fridge! 🐧
He’s sitting on his own little tray with a paper penguin and a “Wish you were chilly!” postcard. The scenery is mainly food containers, but apparently that’s close enough for a last-minute getaway.
This funny elf idea is a quick morning reveal. Set it up shortly before the children look in the fridge, then let him return to the living room after his holiday.
What you’ll need:
- One official Elf on the Shelf doll (paid link)
- A clean, shallow tray that fits a fridge shelf
- A folded cloth to support the elf
- Paper or card for a tiny penguin
- A pen and scrap paper for the postcard
- Optional paper snowflake shapes
- Optional holiday props: A blue miniature elf rubber ring and palm tree set (paid link)
Setup:
Clear a small space near the front of a fridge shelf and put the clean tray on it. Sit your elf on the tray with a folded cloth behind him, keeping his legs and mittens clear of the food. Draw a little penguin on card, cut around it and fold a tab at the bottom so it stands beside him. Add the postcard in his hands and a couple of flat paper snowflakes. Keep the rest of the shelf simple, with closed containers behind the scene. This is a brief pretend holiday: arrange it just before the morning discovery and move the elf out once the children have seen his chilly destination. No ice, water or food decorating is needed.
For the beach-resort version, put the dry blue ring on the tray and sit your elf inside with the folded cloth supporting his back. Stand the little palm beside him and keep the “Wish you were chilly!” postcard. The ring is a decorative elf prop; this scene needs no water. Keep the brief fridge reveal separate from open food.
Make it cheaply:
Cut a ring shape from spare card and draw a palm tree on the back of an old envelope. These give him the holiday look without buying the inflatable set.
Use a clean container lid instead of a tray and the back of a cereal box for the penguin. You can draw the whole snowy background on a small paper card rather than cutting separate decorations. If a fridge scene doesn’t suit your kitchen, sit him beside a closed cool bag with the same postcard for an equally silly polar trip.
For another scene, try the Christmas biscuit forecast or the cotton-wool snow patrol.
