Nisse, the Norwegian elf, is being introduced to our family this year. I wanted to do something fun, but I didn’t want the traditional elf on the shelf or the rules.
Meet Nisse. He will be our elf. He will be in a different place every morning for Eli to find. He will also have a note that will teach about Christ and what Christmas is really about. He will also have Christ centered activities for Eli to do as well.
Nisse’s notes are coming from the church of Christ.org. The ten symbols of Christmas.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/new-era/2017/12/ten-symbols-of-christmas?lang=eng
The first note Nisse will leave will teach about the Christmas tree and what it symbolizes. Even before Christ’s birth, trees that stayed green all year long carried special meaning for people. A green, thriving tree in the dead of winter reminded people of hope and new life. Because of Jesus Christ, we can have everlasting life (see 3 Nephi 5:13), so we can choose to see the evergreen tree as a natural symbol of Him and His gift to us.
The activity to go along with this will be to set up the Christmas tree. Fun, right?
Nisse came with a HUGE breakfast. More like treats, but this time of year it passes as breakfast 🙂 The table was set up the night before and the french toast casserole was assembled and put in the fridge to bake tomorrow morning.
5:30am came very fast! Paul and I got up to set out all the refrigerated items and put the french toast in the oven to bake. We worked fast and as quietly as we could as we didn’t want to wake up Eli.
I should have had video, but Paul and I were trying to be so quiet. EVERY movement we made was so noisy! We ended up going down the stairs and into the basement laughing, trying to open packages quietly so we wouldn’t wake Eli.
Yogurt with strawberry sauce. Mascarpone cheese fruit parfaits.
Hershey kisses and mandarin oranges. I thought something healthy should be on the table. 🙂
M&M’s, mini powdered donuts, and candy canes.
Eli’s favorite. Icing filled marshmallows covered with sprinkles!
Hot chocolate mugs, chocolate spoon stirrers, and mini marshmallows.
Marshmallow men to put in the hot chocolate. I couldn’t find pretzels for the hands or legs, so toothpicks had to work.
Strawberry cupcakes and blueberry muffins.
Chocolate milk, orange juice, and milk.
With breakfast baking and the table set up, we both jumped back in bed and waited for Eli to wake up and discover the table.
About a half hour later Eli got out of bed, went into the kitchen as usual looking for breakfast and this is what he found!
Reading the note from Nisse.
It was a chilly morning.
Eli loved filling his plate.
Stirring the hot chocolate.
Nisse also gave Eli Christmas socks.
That night Nisse was left in his hiding place for Eli to find tomorrow. He has his note with him to teach Eli about Christmas lights. What is the activity? To go out and look at Christmas lights.
This is going to be fun 🙂