Do your children want the elf to visit them? The first thing to do is get each child a small bucket. The bucket should be left out in a consistent place each night, starting on December 1. While everyone is asleep, the elf will place a small treat in the bucket and hide it for the child to find the next morning. This continues every night until Christmas. Remember, the elf won’t play the elf bucket game unless an elf bucket is left out!
What kinds of treats might the elf bring? Every elf is a little different. Some only bring candy, while others also bring some small toys, ornaments, and even the occasional movie during the month of December. Some of the elves also take the opportunity to leave a hint for children who aren’t behaving well enough to remain on the nice list, whether that hint is an empty bucket, a short note, or something else to suggest that the child has been making choices that might land them on the naughty list.
The elf buckets pictured below are now being used by a third pair of siblings, having been handed down for nearly thirty years.
Below is a selection of the kinds of things the elf might bring as found on Amazon.com.