Elf on a Shelf ideas for the 1st day and throughout December

Some parents say elves are watching their kids to report back to Santa in the run-up to Christmas while others use it as a fun way to get kids involved in the festivities.

The elves get up to mischief each day in December much to the delight of children who wake up to find out what the elves are up to. 

But coming up with ideas can be tough so we asked readers to share their pictures of how they have positioned elves around their houses in past years.

Abi Puds Smith shared this picture, explaining: "We have one in our shop and he was doing a (I'm a Celebrity) bush tucker trial here."

ELF: Elf taking part in a bush tucker trial (Image: Abi Puds Smith)

Jacqui Gunth said her elf "Gets everywhere" sharing this picture of the elf having fun on her Christmas tree. 

TREE: Elf on a Christmas tree (Image: Jacqui Gunth)Angela Rees sharing a picture of an elf hanging on a Christmas wreath.

WREATH: Elf on a Christmas wreath (Image: Angela Rees)Jeni Chapman shared this fun picture of a Elf who had been playing with Lego.

LEGO: Elf playing with lego (Image: Jeni Chapman)And Jeanette Harris shared this photographer of her elf hanging from the neck of a giraffe.

HANGING: Elf hanging from a giraffe (Image: Jeanette Harris)

Helen L Thomas said she 'loved the elf antics' - even though hers was playing about in the toilet.

Dave Harford's naughty elf has enjoyed one too many Baileys

The elf belonging to Abi Puds Smith has helped itself to a bowl of ice cream

Oh no! Carl Lindsay-veal found an elf 'helping' a carrot

The tradition arrived in the UK after the release of the Elf on the Shelf book released in 2005.