For the first time ever this year, we are doing the Elf on the Shelf. In previous years, I felt like my kids were too young to really understand the whole concept and they were too young to really get excited about hunting for the elf every morning. This year, my 3 year old has been very excited to look for the elf every morning, so I’d say it has been a huge success around here!

When I priced these little elves in the store, I was surprised that they ran around $30. Seems a little steep to me! I figured I could make my own for much less! And I did successfully make my own girly version of a DIY Elf on the Shelf using an old Barbie doll we had around the house. The only supplies I needed to purchase for this project was a few felt sheets. So this makes my total expenditures for this project only a few dollars! Even if you don’t have an old Barbie in the house, most dollar stores will sell generic dolls that can be used just as well.

Let’s get to the directions now!

DIY Elf on the Shelf

Supplies Needed:

• old Barbie doll
• felt sheets, in the following colors: red, white
• mini pom poms
• hot glue
• red and white striped fabric (optional)

Directions:

Start by cutting out some rectangles in the red felt to wrap around the doll’s arms, legs and torso. Basically, create sleeves on the doll and use hot glue to secure.


Next, cut a collar out of white felt to wrap around the doll’s neck. This will hide any imperfections around the top of the doll’s outfit.

Cut small rectangles for the hands and feet of the doll. Use hot glue to secure. Attach some green pom poms to the doll’s shirt and to the ends of her shoes.

For her hat, I simple formed a cone with some card stock. You can use this cone template here. I then wrapped the cone with the striped fabric, added a red pom pom to the end and wrapped a thin strip of red felt to the base of the hat. If you don’t have the striped fabric, simply use red felt. I also used this same striped fabric to make a simple skirt for the elf out of a rectangle, and I secured it with glue.

Easy peasy!

It was actually a lot of fun making this little girly Elf on the Shelf. And my daughter LOVES her! Win-Win!

For more Christmas crafts, check out the following:

Santa Craft out of a Toilet Paper Roll

Magnetic Christmas Tree Craft

DIY Christmas Tree Cone Decor

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