Elves Notebook

[Gingerbug]

I am going to get back to work on my elves notebook. If you are interested in creating a notebook full of elf ideas...please join in...I will try to post a tip or idea each week of something to add or look for for the elf adventures...but I have to admit sometimes I have great plans and life gets in the way...so just know that I will post the stuff as often as I can...

First off if you have not visited the Magic Elves blog...HERE (http://magicalholidayhome.com/elves/) you might want to. It is my gathering place for all things elfish and there are quite a few photos up of things MHH members have made...elf passports, mailboxes, etc. I will continue adding to it. Also there is a list of ideas of what to include in your notebook and Elf stories that I have written...right now I only have the first one up but I plan to put more up as I get to it...LOL...see what I mean LIFE!!!

Anyway you may highlight and copy the story for your notebook ....just make sure you keep the copyright portion attached. If you put it in Word...you can change the elves names so they are your elfs' names or put his/her name in the story somewhere. Again just keep the copyright in place. Also please do not publish the story on any other web site....but have fun with it all you want for your personal use. I thought if we could find some elf color sheets...the stories might make nice little coloring books for the kids with the story and color sheets put together.

Anyway...this weeks assignment...should you choose to accept it is:

1. Explore the Magic Elves site
2. Get a notebook for the Elves stuff
3. Print a cover HERE (http://www.melindawhitehead.com/ME_Notebook.htm)or make your own.

Ready... Set.....Go.....let's get stuff gathered up so we can have fun with this tradition during the 2008 holiday season!

[Gingerbug]

Here's a thought about notebooks...I started out just using or buying different notebooks for certain projects...ummmm...and I ended up with a bunch of mismatched notebooks that started to get on my nerves....so now I use 1 1/2 black clear view notebooks...oh I still have some other colors and patterns because I am too budget minded to just pitch them and all my scrapbooking ones are colored but I am slowing changing over to the black clear view...I can make a cover and spine for it to fit my needs and they look a lot nicer on the shelf because they sort of ":match"

[Gingerbug]

Assignment #2

Okay by now you should have a notebook, cover sheet for it and have looked around over at the Magic Elves blog. Here's what's next.

Section One:

1. Print November and Decmeber 2008 calendars. These are great for jotting down dates for the elves mischief.

2. Start making a list of elf names. You can use these to help pick a name for a new elf or to use in notes, journal entries etc from the elves during their visit. It is also great to have as a resource for others that want to start the tradition. HERE (http://magicalholidayhome.com/elves/?page_id=5) is a list to get you started. Please post any other ideas in this thread so I can add them to our master list.

3. Start a list of websites for buying elves or with elf ideas. Or include the names of stores or places that have elves. I like to keep this as a resource for when others ask or just to keep an eye on for other new items related to the elves.

Well.....that's it for section one....I'll give us some time to get this section up and running and then we will move on to the next one. :tree:

[Gingerbug]

Assignment Three

Are your elves going to bring small gifts or one or two larger gifts during the season? If so, make a list of ideas for these. Mine frequently start out by arriving in our home with a new DVD to add to our collection (if I'm going to buy one anyway...might as well let the elves bring it...LOL)

Then they bring several small items and maybe another large one...like last year they brought a Gingerbread making kit. I try to make this part inexpensive because I want the magic of the elves to be in their antics not in "getting things". So I tend to let them bring the things I would get anyway...like a new ornament etc...just presenting it through the elves. Sometimes the elves bring instructions instead of a gift....like a recipe for candy or cookies to make together as a family...I might even give it an elfish name instead of the regular cookie name....like ELFAROONS....instead of macaroons. Or instructions for a craft to make as a family.

I don't want the elves to become a chore and an expense......so think about whether you want yours to bring gifts or not,....they can just be mischievoeus visitors without gifts and they are still a ton of fun for the kids!!!

[jolly elf]

:tree:I agree Ginger, the elves should not be a chore or added expense. This is going to be my first year doing the elves and I already have written down what the evles will bring (not too much just a few things that I was going to purchase anyway like a new movie, gingerbread house coloring book etc). I also have a list of all their elfcapades done. I really hope my kids enjoy it because I am really looking forward to it and have had so much fun planning for it. Can't wait to read what everyone is doing or should I say their elves are doing.

[Gingerbug]

After the Magic Elves chats....I have a ton of stuff to add to my Elves Notebook...how very exciting...

I need to find a Christmasy bag or two as soon as the Christmas stuff hits the shelves....one for Evan's Elf to arrive in and one for the elves at our house...

Magic Bags....love it!!!

[Gingerbug]

Assignment Four for the Elf Notebook:

Create Section Three in the notebook. This is where you will collect sample letters, post cards, riddles and clues for the elves to leave, and all forms of communication items.

Here's a great sample: Elf Training Letter (http://magicalholidayhome.com/elves/?page_id=33)

Another type of letter: HERE (http://magicalholidayhome.com/elves/?page_id=17)

Don't wait till November to throw something together...get your thoughts going and add some letters to your notebook. Remember in today's world the Elves can even set up an email account for emailing messages to the family!!