Last Minute Elf Ideas: Free Printable Elf Magazine Covers

It's 10pm. The kids are finally asleep, the dishwasher is humming and you've just remembered the elf hasn't moved since this morning. Sound familiar? You're not alone, and you don't need glitter, flour or a craft cupboard to fix it.

This is our favourite last-minute elf idea: print a copy of Elf Health, the North Pole's No.1 magazine for elves, and pop it in your elf's hands. It takes five minutes, it's completely free and it gets a proper giggle at breakfast. No printer? Set it up on a phone or tablet, they could be reading a digital version.

What's in Elf Health magazine?

Elf Health is the Christmas special every elf is reading this December. The cover is packed with very important elf headlines, including:

• Perfect Body Stripes: how to keep yours straight all season
• Sleigh Your Workout: 6 moves Rudolph swears by
• Is Your Tinsel Toxic? We investigate
• Sprout Smoothies: superfood or super-smelly?
• Chimney Squats: get Santa-ready in 24 days
• Real-Life Drama: "I got tangled in the fairy lights"

There are two versions to choose from. Pip McJingles stars on the boy elf cover, and Molly Glitterpants is on the girl elf cover, both sharing their secret to staying jolly ALL of December.

The silly headlines are the best bit. Children who are starting to read love sounding them out, and older ones will be quoting "super-smelly" for days.

How to set up this easy elf idea in 5 minutes

1. Download and print. Print on A4 paper at actual size and trim to A5, or choose "fit to page" for a bigger A4 magazine. Thicker paper or card (160 to 200gsm) helps it stand up, but normal printer paper works fine.
2. Trim the edges. A quick snip around the cover makes it look like a real magazine. No guillotine needed.
3. Prop it up. Rest the cover in your elf's arms, or lean it against something so it looks like your elf has nodded off mid-article.
4. Add one prop if you have it. A cup, a banana, a mini tin of mints. Anything that looks like an elf snack works.
5. Go to bed. Seriously. That's it
   
   No printer? No worries - put the cover on a tablet or phone, elf is just reading the digital version.

3 ways to stage your elf with the magazine

The breakfast read. Sit your elf at the kitchen table with the magazine, a spoon and an empty cup. Bonus points for a sprout on a plate, as a nod to the sprout smoothie headline.

The bedtime reader. Tuck your elf into a sock or a tissue box with the magazine and a battery tealight. A reading elf is a lovely nudge for little ones to pick up a book too.

Make one idea last two nights

Had a tough week? Stretch this one out.

• Night one: your elf is caught reading Elf Health.
• Night two: your elf tries one of the headlines. Wrap your elf in fairy lights (switched off) for the "I got tangled" story, or set up a mini workout with toys copying the elf.

Two nights, one printable. We won't tell anyone.

More easy elf ideas for busy nights

If you want a plan for the whole of December, grab our free Elf Mischief Menu. It has 40 elf ideas sorted by how much time you've got, including Two-Minute Magic for school nights, plus a 24-night planner so you're never stuck at 10pm again. 

Get the elf ideas planner download here.

Last-minute elf ideas: your questions answered

Do I need a colour printer? Colour looks best, but a black and white print still works. Children can even colour it in the next morning. If you don't have a printer, set it up to view on a phone or tablet instead.

Is the Elf Health magazine cover really free? Yes. Download it as many times as you like for your family. 

Which version should I choose? Pick the cover that looks most like your elf: Pip McJingles for a boy elf, or Molly Glitterpants for a girl elf. Or print both and let your elves share.

What size should I print it? The cover is designed at A5, which suits most elf toys. Print at A4 if your elf is on the bigger side or you want the headlines easier to read.

Make this December magical

Elf for Christmas has been helping families create elf magic since 2015, with personalised elf letters that arrive by post and a focus on getting children reading. If you love the idea of your elf leaving notes too, take a look at our elf kits and elf letters.

Share your elf's reading pose with us on Instagram @elfforchristmas using #elfforchristmas. Pip loves seeing who's keeping up with their Chimney Squats.

Get the free download here