Gingerbug
07-26-2008, 09:50 AM
This is going to be a hard summary as there were so many ideas I'm not sure I will remember everything. Chat participants...feel free to add something if I forget it!!
Magic Elves: People were at different levels and stages with the elves. Some had used the tradition for a couple years and for some it was the first year. Some are using it with their own kids or grandkids and a few with their spouses. Most had a real stuffed elf but the idea of an invisible elf was also discussed.
Here is a link to a printable page for recording ideas: MAGIC ELVES IDEAS (http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dq93vrj_103gx7bdddh)
The idea of giving small gifts from the elves was discussed. Some give gifts that they would be purchasing for the family anyway like a new holiday DVD. Also small goodies can be used easily and are inexpensive. Here are links to some business cards that can be printed up to include in some of the elf goodie bags....one use with Herseys Hugs and the other with Hersheys Kisses...you can use business card paper or regualr paper and cut into small squares!
Elf Hugs Cards (http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dq93vrj_109cfchs4d2)
Elf Kisses Cards (http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dq93vrj_110668w34fn)
We also talked about making or buying a Magic Elf Bag....it's magic so stuff can "appear" in it from time to time...ummmm starflake's idea I believe...and I love it!! Cause you know it's "magic" The elves could arrive in the bag with some accessories and stuff and then "gifts or other things could appear periodically.
Accessories: We talked about ways to make either a little blanket or a little sleeping bag for the elves. Maybe one of those tied fleece blankets but tiny for the elves. Also a door hanger that says SHHHH Elf Sleeping that the little ones could hang by the elves sleeping place at night! Liltattoo has made passports and she shared that idea with us, as well as a story The Elf (http://magicalholidayhome.com/elves/?page_id=32)(I put it up over at Magic Elves blog) She also has a couple letters that I will be getting up over there shortly. REMEMBER these are for personal use only and should not be used on any other sites!! There are photos of passports and mailboxes up at the blog also. If anyone wants to contribute photos I will house them there under your name.
Forgive me chatters but I can't remember who had the idea of the diploma...showing the elves were ready to be Magic Elves...was it jollyelf?? And also the idea of a special seal or embossing to put on the letters from the elves or the ones from Santa...telling about the elves.
Like I said.....so many ideas I just can't keep up!!! LOL....let me just say even though I do this chat summary...it is no where as good as the chats themselves....ideas are just flowing and one idea leads to another and another and so on!!!
We threw around ideas for Elfcapades (a term liltattoo coined last year and I loved it so much I started using it too). These are the little adventures or mischief that the elves get into. Like turning the milk red or green....hiding and leaving clues etc.
We also like the idea of taking some picutres of the elves about town and then using them either along with a gift or as part of an experience.
Example: Take the elves to the theater and take a picture of them...then give the photo...as a clue or build up for a gift of movie passes to see the latest holiday flick!!
Example: Take the elves to the library and take photo of them there...leave a photo and a note saying they have reserved some books for the family at the library. Take a trip there to get them...perhaps the librarian will even play along on this adventure.
I am going to try some experience gifts this year...like leaving the supplies and directions for a craft they want the family to make....or a recipe and ingredients...or directions to some houses with wonderful lights up....Then bundle up in the car...follow the elves directions and take a light tour with hot chocolate included of course...There are tons of ideas like this...just put an elfish twist on them for even more fun!!!
Like I said there were even more ideas but I thinkI've hit a lot of the highlights....
NEXT CHAT IS AN ORGANIZING CHAT on Sunday....focus GIFTS. We will also review our progress since the last Organizing chat...via...calendars and notebooks!!!
Magic Elves: People were at different levels and stages with the elves. Some had used the tradition for a couple years and for some it was the first year. Some are using it with their own kids or grandkids and a few with their spouses. Most had a real stuffed elf but the idea of an invisible elf was also discussed.
Here is a link to a printable page for recording ideas: MAGIC ELVES IDEAS (http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dq93vrj_103gx7bdddh)
The idea of giving small gifts from the elves was discussed. Some give gifts that they would be purchasing for the family anyway like a new holiday DVD. Also small goodies can be used easily and are inexpensive. Here are links to some business cards that can be printed up to include in some of the elf goodie bags....one use with Herseys Hugs and the other with Hersheys Kisses...you can use business card paper or regualr paper and cut into small squares!
Elf Hugs Cards (http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dq93vrj_109cfchs4d2)
Elf Kisses Cards (http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dq93vrj_110668w34fn)
We also talked about making or buying a Magic Elf Bag....it's magic so stuff can "appear" in it from time to time...ummmm starflake's idea I believe...and I love it!! Cause you know it's "magic" The elves could arrive in the bag with some accessories and stuff and then "gifts or other things could appear periodically.
Accessories: We talked about ways to make either a little blanket or a little sleeping bag for the elves. Maybe one of those tied fleece blankets but tiny for the elves. Also a door hanger that says SHHHH Elf Sleeping that the little ones could hang by the elves sleeping place at night! Liltattoo has made passports and she shared that idea with us, as well as a story The Elf (http://magicalholidayhome.com/elves/?page_id=32)(I put it up over at Magic Elves blog) She also has a couple letters that I will be getting up over there shortly. REMEMBER these are for personal use only and should not be used on any other sites!! There are photos of passports and mailboxes up at the blog also. If anyone wants to contribute photos I will house them there under your name.
Forgive me chatters but I can't remember who had the idea of the diploma...showing the elves were ready to be Magic Elves...was it jollyelf?? And also the idea of a special seal or embossing to put on the letters from the elves or the ones from Santa...telling about the elves.
Like I said.....so many ideas I just can't keep up!!! LOL....let me just say even though I do this chat summary...it is no where as good as the chats themselves....ideas are just flowing and one idea leads to another and another and so on!!!
We threw around ideas for Elfcapades (a term liltattoo coined last year and I loved it so much I started using it too). These are the little adventures or mischief that the elves get into. Like turning the milk red or green....hiding and leaving clues etc.
We also like the idea of taking some picutres of the elves about town and then using them either along with a gift or as part of an experience.
Example: Take the elves to the theater and take a picture of them...then give the photo...as a clue or build up for a gift of movie passes to see the latest holiday flick!!
Example: Take the elves to the library and take photo of them there...leave a photo and a note saying they have reserved some books for the family at the library. Take a trip there to get them...perhaps the librarian will even play along on this adventure.
I am going to try some experience gifts this year...like leaving the supplies and directions for a craft they want the family to make....or a recipe and ingredients...or directions to some houses with wonderful lights up....Then bundle up in the car...follow the elves directions and take a light tour with hot chocolate included of course...There are tons of ideas like this...just put an elfish twist on them for even more fun!!!
Like I said there were even more ideas but I thinkI've hit a lot of the highlights....
NEXT CHAT IS AN ORGANIZING CHAT on Sunday....focus GIFTS. We will also review our progress since the last Organizing chat...via...calendars and notebooks!!!