Mum's genius Elf on the Shelf trick leaves kids mesmerised - and it costs £1

04 December 2023 , 14:56

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One woman has shared her favourite elf on the shelf trick (Image: Groupon)

If you're running out of inspiration for what that naughty Elf on the Shelf has been up to overnight, one mum thinks she can help with her cheap but entertaining idea that kids are amazed by.

With a whole 24 days of imaginative tricks and pranks to think up, the Elf on the Shelf is one Christmas tradition that can prove to be a real challenge for parents and carers, so any help is greatly received.

Since it began in America in the early Noughties when a mum and her two daughters wrote a book about an elf sent from Father Christmas to watch over children and report back, The Elf on the Shelf has taken hold here in the UK too and households all over the country are visited by the often mischievous elves.

Children love to come downstairs in the morning and see what surprise the elf has left for them on the day so it's up to mum or dad to come up with yet another wacky, funny or cute idea every night - no easy feat.

A mum has kindly shared one of her favourite elf tricks that the kids can get involved with. She posted the idea on TikTok saying "Be prepared for some elf content this December! He's back this is one of my favourites I think."

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The accompanying video shows a large flat bowl in which she had placed different coloured sweets, in this case Skittles which cost around a pound per packet, around the outside in a circle. Next to the bowl sits the family elf with a cheeky smile on its face. There's a note attached to the elf which reads: "Want to see a rainbow? Just add hot water!"

She gently pours a small amount of water into the middle of the bowl and slowly the colours from the sweets start to seep into the water forming a pretty pattern of rainbow hues, which children will love watching.

Other grateful parents took to the comments section to share their thoughts. "Well that's the coolest thing I've seen today," said one. "Will defo do this thanks."

"I did this last night and this morning my little girl was amazed! I even was! Loved it," raved another. "I was too when we did it! It’s so cool," replied the original poster.

"I've always just used water in general.. not hot and the colours come out so vibrant," offered another fan of the idea. "My first year with elf on the shelf," said a newcomer to the craze. "You just gained a follower. Don't let my daughter down."

Another wanted to know if she could do it the night before: "How long does it stay like that for? Can you do it in the night and it still look like that in the morning?" they asked. To which the original poster answered: "The colours would all mix up if you left it I think."

Will you try this Elf on the Shelf trick? Let us know in the comments below.

Beth Hardie