If you’re looking for Elf on the Shelf alternatives that align with your Christian values, you’re in the right place!
The holiday season is all about creating meaningful traditions that bring your family closer together, and we all know that Elf on the Shelf has become a popular part of Christmas fun. But what if you could make the holiday season even more special with alternatives that focus on faith, kindness, and the true meaning of Christmas?
I’ve pulled together some creative and heartwarming ideas that will help you build lasting traditions while keeping Christ at the center of your celebrations!
We all want to make Christmas magical for our kids, but sometimes the elf antics can feel a little too much to handle. That’s where these Elf on the Shelf alternatives come in!
Whether you’re looking for ideas that encourage generosity, kindness, or teach your children about the real story of Christmas, there are so many ways to create meaningful moments.
From faith-based activities to simple gestures of love and service, these alternatives can help you make this Christmas both fun and spiritually enriching for your family. Plus, they’ll be a great way to start new traditions that focus on what really matters—family, faith, and love.
Related: Find more inspiration and ideas for creating a Christ-centered Christmas for your family here.
The Best Elf on the Shelf Alternatives for Christian Families
The Shepherd on the Search
Keep the fun in Christmas while reminding your children of the true reason for the season – Christ’s birth!
Your family will begin the Christmas season by reading The Shepherd on the Search book.
Much like the shepherd’s searched for baby Jesus, each morning your children will search for the shepherd plush that you’ve hidden around your house.
This fun a fun way to be intentional about talking about Jesus and why we celebrate Christmas.
The Christmas Star from Afar
Make Christmas meaningful and playful with this fun game that celebrates the true meaning of Christmas.
Begin by reading the book that shares about the wise men who followed the star to Bethlehem.
Then create the journey of the three wise men for your children by hiding the wooden nativity pieces throughout your home. Your children will be excited to find baby Jesus and the star above the stable on Christmas morning.
The Advent Angel
On December 1 an angel arrives for your children to unwrap. (Use any angel plush you’d like.) Your angel carries a letter letting your children know that he’s on a mission to help them celebrate Christ’s coming birth and to help them keep their focus on the true meaning of Christmas.
Each morning the kids will find their angel and a letter hidden around the house.
You can either keep your letter simple with an advent Bible verse to read together, or have it include a devotional and advent activity for the day from Truth In The Tinsel.
*Adapted from Mama Hall’s Advent Angel
Nativity Advent Calendar
Your kids will enjoy watching the nativity story unfold each day with 25 pouches and 32 pop-up sculptures. It’s a wonderful reminder of Christmas’ true meaning!
This advent calendar is the perfect way to remind them of the true meaning of Christmas!
Grab your Lovepop Advent Calendar here.
Jesse Tree Ornaments
For centuries, the Jesse Tree tradition taught children about the family tree of Jesus. It is named from the first verse in Isaiah 11 which says, “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse.”
This Jesse Tree ornament keep includes scriptures from both the Old and New Testaments that share not just the lineage of Jesus but the good news of His coming and the prophecy fulfilled.
Each day your family will read the verse of the day then make your ornament. This kit is a great way to invite your family to come and worship Him.
Display your ornaments with this Jesse Tree ornament stand.
The Shepherd’s Treasure
This fun elf on the shelf alternative for Christian families leads your kids (and their shepherd) on a quest to find the true meaning of Christmas.
Introduce your children to their shepherd by reading The Shepherd’s Treasure book.
Each day the children will find their shepherd and his advent card hidden around the house. The advent card contains a Bible verse and devotion.
On Christmas morning your shepherd (and children) will find baby Jesus in the manger!
The Christmas Story Egg
Countdown the 7 days leading up to Christmas with this fun activity that helps your family discover what Christmas is all about.
Each egg in the nesting set has a story that tells about your favorite things at Christmastime and how they point us back to the real meaning of this special holiday.
Discover what Christmas is all about!
The Giving Manger
This fun elf on the shelf alternative will teach your children to give their gifts back to Christ this year.
Begin by reading the book and placing your empty manger where the children can easily reach it.
Each time your child performs an act of kindness they can place a piece of straw in the manger.
On Christmas morning your children can give their gifts to baby Jesus by placing Him in the manger.
The Kindness Elves
Teach your kids to sprinkle a bit of kindness each day with the Kindness Elves.
Each morning your child’s elf will have an acts of kindness card encouraging them to serve someone else.
Once they’ve completed their act of kindness their elf will write a postcard thanking them. Your child can then place their thank you postcards in a their Little Book of Big Kindness.
As you explore these Elf on the Shelf alternatives, focus on creating joyful memories that reflect your values and faith.
Whether you choose to focus on teaching your kids about generosity, reflecting on the birth of Jesus, or just spending quality time together, these ideas are sure to make your holiday season brighter. With faith-filled alternatives, you can build traditions that not only entertain but also inspire and uplift.
Make this Christmas special by putting Christ at the center of your celebrations and creating lasting memories with your family.
Now that you’ve picked out one of these fun Christmas activities to do with your kiddos, you might also want to check out:
- Another great way to encourage your kids focus on the true meaning of Christmas is with these Christian Christmas books for kids.
- Encourage your kids to have a daily quiet time with the Lord with these daily devotions for kids.
- Countdown the days to Christmas with these Bible verses for advent calendars.
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