Have you ever wondered how countries other than your own may celebrate Christmas? The Scout Elf pals have prepared a few ideas highlighting six different countries. These traditions are elftastically adorable and are joyful for all! Your family’s Scout Elf friend may even recreate one of these ideas in your home this Christmas!  

Australian Sand Snowman

Australia celebrates Christmas during their summer season, but not to worry—The Elf on the Shelf still has plenty of ideas to help them have a holly jolly time. One great way for Scout Elf pals to help our Australian friends celebrate is by building a sand snowman! 

Materials:

• Craft or gardening sand 
• Floral foam balls 
• Craft or gardening rocks and twigs 
• One baby carrot  
• Glue or spray adhesive 
• Wooden skewer 
• Optional: mini top hat 

Instructions:

1. First, your elf will arrange three floral foam balls of graduated sizes onto a wooden skewer with the biggest at the bottom and the smallest at the top. 
2. Second, they will cover the floral foam balls with glue or spray adhesive then coat them in sand. 
3. Third, your elf will use glue to adhere rocks, one baby carrot and twigs to the floral foam balls to make up your sand-snowman’s features. 
4. Finally, your Scout Elf pal may include a little hat to go atop the “sandman’s” head!  

For general and specific warnings please click HERE

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Mexican Christmas Traditions Pinata

One Christmas tradition in Mexico is oh-so-sweet! Scout Elf friends who have been adopted by families in Mexico may help make Christmas merry and bright with a pinata.

Materials:

• Mini pinata  
• Popsicle stick, paper straw or small bat  
• Optional: tiny guitar, MagiFreez^® Cool Kicks Sneaker Trio

Instructions:

1. Your elf may begin by stepping into their MagiFreez^® Cool Kicks Sneaker Trio! 
2. Next, they will find an elf-sized pinata and hang it from a cabinet knob or hook.  
3. Finally, they will take a swing at it! If they can’t get to the sweets inside, they may ask kids to join in the fun! 

For general and specific warnings please click HERE 

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German Christmas Traditions Advent Wreath

One famous German Christmas tradition is the Advent wreath! Families in Germany, along with their Scout Elf pals, of course, may light one flameless, battery-operated candle in their advent wreaths on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve Once all four candles are lit, Christmas has officially begun! 

Materials:

1. Wreath 
2. 4 small flameless, battery-operated candles 

Instructions:

1. To begin, your Scout Elf will find the perfect wreath, one that could easily fit on a coffee table or countertop without taking up too much space.  
2. Next, they will check the calendar and gather one flameless, battery-operated candle for each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve. 
3. Then they will light one candle each Sunday until the whole wreath is aglow representing the official start of Christmas!  

For general and specific warnings please click HERE 

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English Christmas Crackers

“Pop, snap, CRACK!” Our friends in England may celebrate Christmas festivities with a “Christmas cracker.” Christmas crackers are small gifts, usually set out on the table with a place setting, that are given to guests at a holiday gathering. Inside the “crackers” are small gifts, a joke or two and sometimes…SWEETS (which elves love)! 

Materials:

• Wrapping paper 
• Tape 
• Toilet paper or paper towel rolls 
• Pipe cleaners or string 
• Your favorite treat 

Instructions:

1. First, your Scout Elf pal will gather a few cardboard toilet paper or paper towel rolls. 
2. Second, they will find some leftover wrapping paper and wrap each piece once around the cardboard rolls with tape to hold it in place.  
3. Third, they will drop kids’ favorite sweets down inside the cardboard roll! 
4. Finally, they will tie up each end of the wrapping paper, right next to the cardboard roll, with pipe cleaners or string and wait for kids to crack open these surprise-filled treats!  

For general and specific warnings please click HERE 

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Three Kings Day

Our Scout Elf pals in Spain celebrate Christmas by recognizing Three Kings Day! On the eve of Three Kings Day, January 5^th, Spanish towns are full of color as people either participate in or watch exciting parades that line the streets. Spanish families, along with their Scout Elf friends, usually enjoy Three Kings Day, January 6^th, by eating together and exchanging gifts.  

Materials:

• Color printer 
• Card stock/copy paper 
• Printable 
• Scissors 
• Tape 

Instructions:

1. To begin, your elf will print, cut and lay out the three different crown printables. 
2. Next, they will pick one of the three crowns they think suits them best and tape each end, so it fits all the way around their little hat.  
3. Finally, they may share the other two crowns with friends so everyone can join in on the Three Kings Day fun!  

Get Printable

For general and specific warnings please click HERE 

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French Christmas Traditions Shoes in Front of Fireplace

Our Scout Elf pals who have been adopted by families in France may help them with their Christmas traditions by finding pairs of children’s shoes to put in front of the fireplace or Christmas tree! Like hanging stockings, French families leave shoes out for the Big Man in Red.  

Materials:

• Children’s shoes

Instructions:

1. Your Scout Elf friend will begin by quietly borrowing pairs of shoes from kids’ closets. 
2. Next, they will place the shoes in front of a fireplace or Christmas tree.  
3. Lastly, your elf will make themselves cozy inside one of the shoes for kids to find them the next morning! 

For general and specific warnings please click HERE 

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Enjoy more cute ways to celebrate Christmas in your home with this blog!

Before you or your elf get to work recreating any of these inspirational photos, be sure to read these safety warnings. Santa wants to make sure everyone stays safe!