Need elf on the shelf inspiration? This is what Mrs Hinch’s has been up to
Mrs Hinch’s elf on the shelf brings all the Christmas party vibes to her home. Take a look at these great ideas


Is an Elf on the Shelf part of the annual festivities in your home? Then you’ll know that keeping little ones amused and springing surprises can demand some serious creativity on your part.
But if there’s one person we can turn to for serious creativity when it comes to seasonal celebrations and fun Christmas ideas for kids (and ehem adults alike), it’s Mrs Hinch. As all fans know, Sophie Hinchliffe might be a top cleanfluencer, but she’s also great at styling her home and having fun, especially when it comes to the big events.
Like many people with young kids, the Insta star brings joy to son Ronnie in the countdown to Christmas with Elf on the Shelf ideas galore – and pretty amazing they are. Want to see what Mrs Hinch’s elf gets up to? Just scroll down for inspiration.
Mrs Hinch’s Elf on the Shelf ideas
Mrs Hinch’s elf arrives in style, flying into the family home. You will need to exercise your crafting skills to give your elf a plane to pilot, but you can re-use cardboard to ensure yours is an eco-friendly flying machine. Suspend plane and elf from the ceiling to give your kids a fabulous surprise.
The elvish visitor to the Hinch home leaves clues to his whereabouts. Mrs Hinch admits that they touched him yesterday, saying ‘I was worried he lost his magic’. Fortunately for young Ron the elf hasn’t forfeited any of his special attributes, as we’ll see...
Yep, the elf has retained his Christmas magic. It seems, though, that even an elf has to answer the call of nature. We reckon kids will find this idea hilarious – and it’ll make you giggle when you’re setting it up, too.
Mrs Hinch’s elf certainly likes to leave clues to his nighttime activities. He’s dared to mess up her pristine kitchen this time around. Who’d be so brave as to add a cleaning task to a Hinch list?
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All is forgiven, though, as Mrs Hinch and Ronnie realise the elf has been craving a hot chocolate. This is an easy idea to copy if you’re short of elf exploit ideas for the next morning, and you can make the elf’s drink-making activity as messy as you like.
We already knew from his method of arrival that Mrs Hinch’s elf had a head for heights. Show yours does, too, by re-creating this zip wire idea in a living space. Rustic twine will fit in perfectly with the rest of your Christmas decorations.
It’s probably no surprise to any of us that Mrs Hinch’s elf gets mixed up with cleaning tasks. Here he‘s popped up in the washing machine. He’s also managed to become pinned down by plasters from Mrs Hinch’s supply. Don’t forget to take your elf out of the drum before you start the cycle if you follow her lead with similar elvish mischief!

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor writing for websites, national newspapers, and magazines. She’s spent most of her journalistic career specialising in homes – long enough to see fridges become smart, decorating fashions embrace both minimalism and maximalism, and interiors that blur the indoor/outdoor link become a must-have. She loves testing the latest home appliances, revealing the trends in furnishings and fittings for every room, and investigating the benefits, costs and practicalities of home improvement. It's no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house revamper. For Realhomes.com, Sarah reviews coffee machines and vacuum cleaners, taking them through their paces at home to give us an honest, real life review and comparison of every model.