Who says everyone’s favorite Christmas Elf is just for kids? Check out over 50 fantastic and funny Elf Ideas for the Workplace – with the majority of them using props that you already have in the office.
Having an Elf in the workplace can bring a lot of joy and excitement to employees during the holiday season. Not only does it add a fun and festive element to the office, but it can also help to boost morale and promote teamwork among coworkers.
The Elf on the Shelf tradition involves hiding a small elf doll each day. While most scout elves are hanging out in houses and flying back to the North Pole each night to report to Santa, we’re talking about elves that like to hang out in the office.
To bring Elf ideas in the workplace, you’ll simply have an elf or two around the office each day. The elf can “hide” in mystery places or be set up with fun scenes. While I‘m pretty lazy when it comes to our own Elf, I did come up with some super fun scene ideas that you could easily set up in the office.
This post may contain affiliate links. By purchasing through these links, I may make a commission. Thank you for your support.
The fun comes when you encourage your employees, or co-workers, to find the elf each day. This can lead to friendly competition and collaboration, as coworkers work together to locate the elf each day or even take turns hiding the elf or setting up the scene.
It can also be a great conversation starter and icebreaker, helping employees to connect and bond over the fun, holiday experience.
While the Elf tradition may have originated as a children’s activity, it has become increasingly popular among adults in recent years. Many workplaces have adopted the tradition as a way to bring some lighthearted fun and holiday spirit to the office.
Even individuals without children at home have embraced the tradition, using it as a way to connect with coworkers and friends during the holiday season. The Christmas Elf can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and its ability to promote teamwork, positivity, and fun makes it a great addition to any workplace or social group.
While most of my Elf ideas for the workplace evolved around a true office type setting, many of them can be changed or adapted if you work in special offices like:
- Doctor’s Office
- Dentist’s Office
- School
You can also find very specific props and even outfits to go with special type of work environments too. I share some of those below.
Additionally, the Elf can be used as a tool for recognizing and rewarding good behavior in the workplace. For example, the elf could be placed at the desk of an employee who has gone above and beyond in their work, or who has shown exceptional teamwork or leadership skills.
Or the opposite can be fun too – I included a “Bad Behavior Printable” in this list too – of course, to be used all in good fun. That’s where the mood of the office should definitely come into play. If your office would like a nice elf or a mischievous elf, keep that in mind when you’re setting these ideas up!
Either way you decide to use the Elf in the workplace, it can bring a lot of fun and a positive atmosphere that can boost morale and promote teamwork.
Are you ready for over 50 Elf Ideas to use in the workplace? Be sure to pin them for later!
If you have a Keurig or coffeemaker in your office kitchen, set up your elf with his/her own K-cups!
I often find that the note is the best part of the scene – everyone knows how the Christmas tree lights are always in a knot. This one takes such little effort – but is super cute and always fits in with my office and all of the tangled cords.
It’s a classic Elf style prank – hiding in the copier for printed elf selfies.
If you have a candy jar in the office, it’s the perfect place for an elf. Candy is definitely one of their main food groups.
This is a fun and easy setup – print a fake resume for the elf to fill out. If you want to include a few jokes about coworkers, go ahead.
This elf switched out all pens and pencils in the office with color pencils. This works even better with crayons.
I love this funny elf prank – put a small post-it on the bottom of a coworker’s mouse so it won’t work!
Speaking of Post-Its, use a few to totally cover up a computer screen.
Remember that selfie the elf made with the copier? File it under important documents. So many of these ideas use very little “props” and some you can use again in different ways later in the month of December.
Now, let’s get to a few funny ideas for your Elf in the office. I think these are super fun IF your coworkers and employees will get the joke. We don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings because having an Elf is all about fun and happiness.
I can’t resist a good bathroom joke and this letter makes all the difference with this prop.
Another fun one if you call out someone who might fall asleep at their desk from time to time.
You can always let the elf practice coloring or doodling on boring office worksheets.
Fun prop IF you have glitter around your office kitchen like I do.
Wires aren’t the only thing elves can get wrapped up in – this little guy is just stuck with some Scotch tape.
This might be my favorite. Of course, I wouldn’t REALLY white-out a true certificate. Print a fake one out and have your Elf be the employee of the month for December!
Buddy the Elf says it’s 5:00 – that’s because he changed the time himself so he could get to that tropical drink early.
Want more Elf ideas for the workplace? Sure you do – because you’re going to need at least 1 a day for December. Check out some other bloggers’ ideas below:
Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Workplace
Easy setup - put coworkers names on a Nice List or Naughty List. If you don't have a dry erase board, simply have the elf type out a list on someone's computer.
This FREE printable is an easy setup and will bring back some memories of a nostalgic game for employees at the office.
Not required, but these festive Christmas sweaters could be used for an office Ugly Christmas Sweater prop or party.
I can't even with this one, but it does happen to be my favorite one... just make sure it goes along with the humor style of your boss!
If you work in a doctor's office or hospital, this set from Etsy is perfect. Not only will employees enjoy seeing the elf visit, but patients will too!
I'm not sure why glasses on an elf makes them look like they fit in at the office more, but they do! This is a free printable for your own elf glasses.
This elf got into the office First Aid Kit.
See? An elf in the office needs to wear glasses. And a tie. I seriously love this little idea staged at a big conference table.
Believe it or not, these are actually pretty inexpensive on Amazon and I could see them being used in so many ways with a scout elf in the office.
We can't have a list of fun ideas for an elf without one involving a toilet paper roll! Let the office elf roll someone's desk or chair.
Elves are all about having PUN [punny fun], right? Love this little PayDay setup in the office. Tell me who wouldn't smile at seeing that?!
I cannot get over how cute these scrub outfits are for nurses and doctors. They even come with the name tags and shoes!
I am OBSESSED with this idea, but also realize that it would take quite awhile to get all of these snowflakes cut out. If you have the time, do it!
Another idea with a computer mouse - this setup is an elf using it to snow tube.
A list of over 24 ideas that literally take 5 minutes. Some of these will work in an office setting too!
I love it - this dentist office gets it. The magical elf is a fun way to get kids excited and happy at the dentist office and in turn, will make everyone working there smile more too!
What a great way to get kids excited to be at the dentist - if their helper is an elf. This cute outfit is inexpensive and handmade, available on Etsy.
It's that time of year when elves might get a little headache - or might get a lot if they're working in the office with you everyday.
It just doesn't feel like the Christmas season without candy canes. Did you know that elves love candy canes? This is a fun event for kids, but adults will like it too. Have your elf hide the candy canes for everyone to find!
No one likes to do it, but it has to be done. So this time let the little elf show up in a new spot - the toner drawer!
I'm not sure this one is entirely office friendly, but if you have more than 1 sink in the bathroom, it could be so fun. You can buy these little tiny ducks on Amazon for so cheap.
Another take on the Nice List and Naughty List - an elf sitting at a computer is just a funny sight.
There are over 20 ideas in this post to use balloons as props with elves. Some of these would be so great in the office - like did you know you can actually put an elf in a balloon?!
Again, if your office has a good sense of humor, I feel like these would be equivalent to a good Dundee Ceremony. They are free to print!
Sleeping on the job? Leaving the printer out of paper? What would your office mates bad behavior be?
It's a simple hiding place, but a classic one since this little elf is from the cold North Pole - in the office refrigerator.
There are a few fun elf hiding places and office ideas in this blog post, but my favorite is the elf that pulls everyone's chair low to the ground for the day.
This elf REALLY had fun with the copier!
I love for our elf to do some nice things sometimes and bringing the office a cocoa party would be just that. It's an expensive way to celebrate the season.
This one may take bringing a few extra members into the office, but everyone can appreciate a YMCA dance party in the morning in December.
This elf seems to think Post-its are the way to decorate for the holidays.
If you're a DIYer and work in an office that needs to wear masks, this is a good prop to use with your office elf.
I can't help but wonder if some offices still have epic holiday office parties - this would be a great cocktail for your elf to serve!
It's free and it's easy to print - let Spiderman visit the office one day!
While I realize that this craft is more for kids, I really think it could be fun to hang up some coworkers pictures as elves one morning.
I love this Good Deed Challenge and it could really be incorporated into an office setting amongst coworkers to remember the goodness of the season.
Elves don't always have to be mischevious, sometimes they can bring presents too! This is a fun way to spread Christmas cheer through the elf too.
If you’re looking for a way to add some holiday cheer to your office this season, consider bringing in an Elf and see how it can benefit your team!