These are the instructions for the 2026 Crisp Cringle 25 Day kit!
Use code SANTA10 to get $10 off and free shipping!! Order HERE!
This kit is intended to start December 1st and end Christmas Day, although we did include a few extras! The order of the days are a suggestion and meant to help keep the kit organized, but feel free to switch them around as you please!
We hope you will follow along as we “elf” together on Instagram @crispcollectiveig HERE. We will set each day up via video in stories! I look forward to doing this tradition together all year! Thank you for letting us help create a bit of Christmas magic for your family! If you have any questions or issues, don’t hesitate to reach out via Etsy or email info@crispcollective.org.
Day 1: Special Delivery
Supplies: Red and white striped envelope box-packed on top when you open your kit, “Look who’s here! Special Delivery” card- in the bag marked “Days 1-7”, white crinkle from the bottom of your box (optional).
Instructions: Fold your box. Place white crinkle paper at the bottom. Place your elf in the delivery box. Sign your elf’s names at the bottom of the “Look who’s here!” card and place it in the box. If you have more than one elf, each elf gets their own box.
Let the fun begin!!!
Day 2: Which Shoes to Choose?
Supplies: Silver metallic elf shoes, pink glitter shoes (for those that ordered in July), “Which shoes should I choose?” card- all found in the bag labeled “Days 1-7”, an assortment of shoes
Instructions:
Line up an eclectic mix of shoes….mom’s, dad’s, sports’ shoes, skis….whatever your kids will think is fun! Add the provided elf shoes to the mix! Place the elf in one of the shoes and display the card. Once your child chooses the shoes for their elf, have them arrive in them from day 3 on! If you have both the pink and silver, feel free to mix them up for the days as you wish!
Just loosen the laces a bit and the sneakers just slide on!
Day 3: Ornament
Supplies: Snowman ornament, “Nice list”card, “Signed, sealed, delivered!” card
Instructions: Write your child/children’s names on the “nice list” ….or don’t! haha! Unwrap your snowman ornament. Place the Nice List inside the Snowman ornament envelope. Place the elf, “Signed, sealed, delivered!” card and ornament on your Christmas tree!
A keepsake to remember this fun time with your elf, year after year!
Day 4: O-FISH-ally Christmas!
Supplies: “O-FISH-ally” card, mini clothespin, and straw- located in the bag labeled, “Days 1-7”, roll of string-located inside the clear cup, blue fish lantern- loose in your kit in its own plastic packaging.
NOTE: We will use the roll of string several times throughout the month! There is also the option to re-use the straw on Day 23.
Instructions: Put your fish lantern together per the package instructions. Tie the string to one end of the straw to create a fishing pole. Tie the other end to the hook at the top of the fish. Place your elf somewhere high in your home….on a light fixture, ceiling fan, fireplace mantle, top of cabinets, etc. Place the fishing pole in your elf’s arms so it appears he caught the fish. You may want to use an extra piece of string to tie the pole to the elf’s arms or tape to make the pole more secure. Write the number of days left until Christmas on your card. Clip the “O-FISH-ally” card to the string.
EXTRA ELVES: If you purchased supplies for extra elves, you will tie the gummy worm to the end of your string instead of the fish!
Day 5: Santa’s Spa Day
Supplies: Wooden easel, “Santa’s Spa” card, bag of balloons
Instructions: Blow up the balloons. These blow up easier if you stretch them a bit first or use a Balloon Buddy. Place the balloons in a sink or bathtub to represent bubbles. Place your elf in the bubbles. Place the card on the easel and set it to the side or place the card without the easel in the bubbles.
NOTE: I saved a few of these balloons to use in my “elfstacle” course on Day 20, but totally up to you!
Day 6: Butter Not Pout
Supplies: “Butter Not Pout” card- located in the bag labeled, “Days 1-7”, butter squishy
Instructions: Place your elf in the fridge with your card and butter squishy, where you would normally find the butter! Note: If you ordered for additional kids, each kid has their own butter squishy.
Day 7: Elf Wrapping Booth
Supplies: Elf wrapping booth sheet- 8×10 sheet, located at the bottom of your kit, 2 small “wrapped this for you!” cards in the bag labeled, “Days 1-7”, black plastic cup located in the clear cup, wrapping paper (optional!)
Instructions: Fold your elf wrapping booth sheet along the white lines to make a tri-fold.
Place your elf inside the black cup so he is balanced. Place the cup behind the trifold so the elf’s face shows through the square cutout.
NOTE: We will use this cup again later in the kit. DO NOT throw it away!
Optional: Use wrapping paper to wrap a couple of random items to make your kids laugh….shoes, items in their lunchbox, their breakfast, etc. Place the small “wrapped this for you” cards next to these items. If you have multiple elves, you can put one in the booth and the others by the items you wrapped!
In this example, I wrapped the spoon and cup for breakfast!
Day 8: Elf Yourself
Supplies: “Elf Yourself” card- located in the bag labeled, “Days 8-16”, 8×10 sheet with peel and stick elf hat and collar
Instructions: Peel the elf hat and collar off the sheet and stick them to a mirror in a bathroom or bedroom. Tape the “Elf Yourself” card to the mirror or place it on the easel nearby. Place your elf nearby or tape him to the mirror. Let your child see themselves as an elf in the mirror. Snap a photo or two for fun!
Day 9: Magic Glasses
Supplies: Magic glasses (1 pair per kid), Magic shades card- both located in the bag labeled, “Days 8-16”. If you ordered for more than one child, you can find thier glasses in the bag(s) labeled, “Addittional Kid Supplies”
Instructions: Place the glasses, elf and card somewhere near your tree. Have your kids put the glasses on and look at the lights on the Christmas tree! Pure Christmas magic!!
Day 10: Crocs….2 ways
I gave you two options for this day because I just couldn’t decide! Lol! Choose one or feel free to save one for a different day!
Beware the Crocs!
Supplies: 2 mini crocs (colors will vary), “Beware the Crocs” card-found in the bag labeled, “Days 8-16”, string
Instructions: Place the crocs in a toilet, sink or bathtub with water. Use the string to dangle your elf above the floating crocs. Place the “Beware of Crocs” sign nearby or use your mini clothespin to clip it to his hand.
Croc’n Around the Christmas Tree
Supplies: 2 mini crocs (colors will vary), “Croc’n Around the Christmas Tree” card, your own crocs (optional)
Instructions: Place the crocs in a semi circle around your tree. Place the card nearby or have your elf hold it.
Day 11: Christmas Movie Bingo
Supplies: Christmas Movie bingo instruction cards, 4 bingo playing cards, mini popcorn, something to mark your bingo squares- marshmallows, m&ms, etc. You can also use a pen or marker if you only want to play once.
Instructions: Place your elf, holding the mini popcorn or have it nearby. Set the instruction card out on the easel. Place your bingo cards out for family members to grab. Choose a Christmas movie to watch. Mark items on your card as you see them in the movie. Get 5 in a row- across, down or diagonal….BINGO!! Just another layer of fun for family movie night! Cards can be used multiple times for different movies.
Day 12: We need an Adventure!
Supplies: Clear cup with lid, “We need an Adventure” card
Instructions: This is a Crisp Cringle kit favorite! Place your elf in the cup and take him along for an adventure! Again, other than the arrival and departure days, the order does not matter, so if you want to save this day for a specific activity, feel free to move days around! We’d LOVE to see all the places your elves go, so be sure to tag us on Instagram @crispcollectiveig
Day 13: Adopt a Snowman
Supplies: “Congratulations” snowman card, Snowman Certificate of Adoption, Snowman kit-If you ordered for more than one child, each child will have their own snowman kit!
Instructions: Place your elf with the Congratulations! card. Place each snowman kit and adoption card out for your child to build their own “elf sized” snowman. This is fast drying clay. It’s soft and moldable, but will harden a it is exposed to air. Roll your clay into 3 balls to create the body, as shown below:
Add the accessories and let it dry so your snowman will maintain his shape. Name your snowman. Add your name, your snowman’s name and the date to the certificate!
Day 14: Smart Seeds
Supplies: “Smart seeds” card, smart candy roll, black plastic cup, sugar, flour or salt.
Instructions: Fill your black plastic cup 3/4 of the way full with sugar, flour or salt. Place the roll of smart candy next to the black cup. Place your elf and the card nearby. Have your child(ren) “plant” the smart seeds to see what grows! If you accidentally threw away your black cup, you can also use a small bowl, pot or mug.
Day 15: Oh No!
Supplies: “Oh No!” card, 3 dum lollipops
Instructions: Place the lollipops in the black cup, securing the sticks into the sugar, flour or salt. Place the card nearby! You may choose to keep them wrapped, or unwrap them.
Day 16: Help!
Supplies: HELP! card, string, additional toys (optional)
Instructions: Tie your elf up using the string, displaying the HELP! sign. You might choose to have dolls, stuffed animals, action figures, dinosaurs, etc. holding your elf hostage….whatever your kids will find funniest!
Day 17: Santa Rolls into Town
Supplies: “Santa rolls into town” card- located in the bag labeled, “Days 17-25, “Dear Santa” letter- located in the bottom of your box. If you ordered for additional kids, there should be one letter per child, pen or sharpie, roll of toilet paper/paper towels/wrapping paper
Instructions: Write the number of days until Santa arrives on your card. Place your elf inside a toilet paper/paper towel/wrapping paper roll. Place the car nearby! Let the good times roll!!
You will also place your letters to Santa nearby (one per child) for your elf to deliver to the North Pole. We print these letters on heavy cardstock so it can be a sweet keepsake! I love looking back on my boys’ letters over the years!
Day 18: Find the Gingerbread Men!
Supplies: Five gingerbread friends card-found in the bag labeled, “Days 17-25”, easel, five mini gingerbread friends
Instructions: Hide your five gingerbread friends. They are tiny, but can stand on their own! Make this difficult or easy, depending on the age of your kids! Here are a few ideas:
Day 19: Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt
Supplies: Scavenger hunt page, pen or sharpie
Instructions:
Day 20: Elfstacle Course
Supplies: Elfstacle course card- in the bag labeled, “Days 17-25”, 2 rolls of red streamer tape-loose in your box, tape (optional), balloons from Day 5 (optional)
Instructions: Use the red streamer tape to create an “elfstacle” course! This could be in a hallway, bathroom or just across your child’s bedroom door, so it’s tricky for them to get out! I also scattered a few of the balloons from day 5.
Place the card elfstacle card on the easel near your elf.
Day 21: Feed me Elves
Supplies: Giant eyes and mouth-located at the bottom of the box, “Feed me Elves” card-located in the bag labeled, “Days 17-25”
Instructions: Place the eyes and mouth on your tree. Place your elf/elves in the mouth so it appears the tree is eating him!
Day 22: Game Night
Supplies: Game board and bag of chips, Elf Game Night card, 1 small pink card, 1 small blue card
Instructions: Set up your game board and put the chips in the trays. Have your elf play against a toy or, if you have more than one elf, they can play each other. Set up more toys and stuffed animals as spectators. Write, “Team Elf”, “Go Buddy”, “Go Big Red”, etc. on the two small cards for spectators to hold.
After this day, you can use the game board for your family! It is a fun travel size and totally functional! Four in a row i
Day 23: Eye Pad
Supplies: Apple notepad, 3 stick on eyes, and eye pad card- all located in the bag labeled, “Days 17-25”. I used the straw from day 4 in my mug (optional).
Instructions: Stick on eye on your apple notepad to create an EYE pad (get it?). Place the other 2 eyes on your elf. If you ordered for additional elves, each has 2 stick-on eyes. Find them in the bag(s) labeled, “Additional Elf Supplies”. The eyes have a peel and stick backing. If you have trouble, you may also choose to use tape, glue or use sticky squares. I placed my elf in a mug with the straw from day 4 to make it appear as though he is chugging coffee, but feel free to make it your own!
Day 24: Santa Sprinkles
Supplies: Santa Sprinkles card, 2 green powder candy sticks, small bottle and cork-all located in the bag labeled, “Days 17-25”. If you ordered for additional kids, you will find the candy sticks, bottle and cork in the bag(s) labeled, “Additional Kid Supplies”
Instructions: Cut the end of the candy sticks and pour the contents into your bottle. Put the cork on top. Place your elf, card, and bottle where your child will find them. Take your sprinkles outside and scatter them to help guide Santa and his reindeer!
Day 25: Christmas is HERE!
Supplies: Christmas Day card
Instructions: Sign your elf’s name at the bottom as we say goodbye to another awesome year!
Another option is to lay your elf on the ground or a table. Sprinkle sugar around him. Lift him up to leave an outline. Place the card nearby. Use the shoes to make footprints and leave them at the end of the legs.
You can see a video of this HERE.
Optional Extra Day:
Supplies: Jesus card
While we absolutely respect everyone’s beliefs, for our family, there is no Christmas without JESUS! I like to set this card out with our confetti poppers on Christmas Eve with our Bible open to the story of Jesus’s birth! You could also place your elf in a nativity scene with this card!
Thank you, thank you for the opportunity to bring a little Christmas magic to your family this season! We absolutely LOVE doing this each year!
