I am always looking for ways to make things a little less hectic – because I really don’t need one more thing to remember during the holidays (watering the tree every day is about all I can handle!).

So when faced with the decision of whether to allow a traveling elf to visit our house during the holidays, I had to say no!

I just couldn’t accept the idea that there would be one more thing that I would have to remember to do before I went to bed.

Instead, I told my kids that right after Thanksgiving, they should be on the lookout for ‘jingle bells’ in the neighborhood. 

Because elves do visit, right? 

Of course they do! 

They peek in the windows to see who is being good and then report back to Santa. 

They scout out the roofs to make sure the reindeer can land safely. 

And sometimes, they may lose a bell during their nighttime excursions.  It might fall off their little elf shoe or hat and get left behind.

The kids have loved listening for the jingling of bells in the evening, and looking near the windows when we’re outside. 

And searching for bells encourages them to go outside and get some fresh air!

We’ve found bells on the way to our mailbox, and some right outside the windows.  And Santa even left one in a stocking one year when our somewhat doubtful child wanted to verify that the bell they found was indeed one from the North Pole.

For me, it’s much easier to remember to scout out a few jingle bells than it is to coordinate the nightly movements of one of Santa’s helpers. 

So if you’re looking for another way to invite elves into your home this year, try looking for bells! 

Leave me a note if you'd like more ideas

on where we've found jingle bells! 

And have a very Happy Holiday!

~ Jacquie

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