How to Do Elf on the Shelf While Glamping: 12 Adorable (and Hilarious) Ideas for Your Weekend Away
- Hill Farm
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
We had a brainwave. Why not take the kids glamping in December, get cosy in our heated, thermal lined Belle Tents or a pod AND - bring the elf.
Honestly — Elf LOVES a little winter getaway, and Hill Farm is the perfect place for him to get up to absolutely no good.
Here are some easy, low-effort, super-cute Elf on the Shelf ideas you can pull off in a bell tent or glamping pod — in 2,3,6 and 7 there are no extra props required (unless you want to bring tiny welly boots… in which case, we fully support you).
1. The Hot Tub Lifeguard
Prop your elf up next to the hot tub with a rolled-up leaf or twig as a “lifeguard whistle.”
Bonus points if he has sunglasses, a lifejacket or even a red and white ring.
Even in December. He takes his job seriously.
2. S’mores Sabotage
Sit the elf next to the BBQ with a mini marshmallow in his lap, biscuit in front of him and a guilty look on his face.
He may have taken one before the kids even woke up.
3. Caught Raiding the Snacks
If you’ve brought snacks, they’re likely in the coolbox. Pose the elf half wedged under the lid with crumbs everywhere. Feet first or head first - your choice!
And of course the caper wouldn’t be complete without a tiny note that reads, “I got hungry on the journey!”.
4. Zipline Across the Pod or Fireman Pole in the Bell Tent
Tie a bit of string from the canvas to one bedframe and clip the elf on. Or clip him to the central pole in your gorgeous Lotus Belle tent. You could use bluetac to make little climbing wall holds for him up the pole.
He’s adventurous and it was just too tempting…
5. Wildlife Watch
Prop your elf by the pod window with a pair of binoculars (two Cheerios on a string works). Just like in the lovely picture AI created for us. In his note, he claims he saw a deer. However, he will not elaborate.
(For the record, we have moorhens, squirrels and owls… the occasional escaped cow. But never a deer! Head to Chatsworth Estate to see some…)
6. The Cosy Tent Thief
Wrap him in one of the blankets, curled up by the heater.
Clearly he’s settled in faster than anyone else and nabbed the prime location.
7. Muddy Boots Mischief
Sit him at the front door with your kids’ wellies lined up… except one is filled with leaves.
Who’ll be the unlucky one?!
8. The Mini Fire Builder
Place him near the log pile with a teeny “I tried to help” sign.
He stacked a mini pile of twigs.
9. Hot Chocolate Disaster
Set him next to the hot chocolate with a spoon bigger than him, a tipped over mug and marshmallows everywhere. I’d go as far as splodging some hot chocolate powder on his face.
(He got a wee bit overexcited, and it all went wrong)
10. Stargazing Elf
Lay him on his back on a blanket outside, arms tucked behind his head, facing the sky.
Bonus: sprinkle a few white paper “stars” around him.
11. Hide and Seek
Leave a magnifying glass and a tiny written clue inside.
Create a trail of tiny clues to find the mischievous elf.
12. The Farewell Letter
On your last morning, sit your elf on a pillow with a tiny handwritten note:
“Thanks for bringing me on your glamping adventure! I behaved… mostly.”
Want to Bring the Magic to Hill Farm?
Book a December or pre-Christmas stay and let your elf join the adventure — hot tubs, fairy lights, crackling fires and a cosy pod to snuggle into. Or grab a voucher and plan for a Christmas weekend escape in 2026 - it’s a magical time to go glamping (with your elf on the shelf) at Hill Farm.
Here’s How to Order Your Hill Farm Gift Voucher
It’s easy, no faff, no online forms. Just an email or a phone call!
Choose your amount: £50, £75, or £100
Email me Tara or call 07889985328
We’ll send the voucher by post or email (you choose)
All that’s left to do is tuck it into a card and look smug about how well 2026 planning has started…👇
Drop me a line to get your perfect Christmas gift sorted!
Tara x
Tara’s footnotes:
Wondering what Hill Farm is all about and what you’ll find?
It’s the BEST of Derbyshire right on your doorstep…
Plus at Christmas time you’ll want to book into some of the magic that happens at Chatsworth!
Check out our walk-throughs here:
****
Tara runs the day-to-day at Hill Farm Caravan and Camping. When you make a booking, you will find Tara at the end of the phone.
Ollie Cotton and his family have owned and run Hill Farm Caravan, Glamping and Camping for generations and love nothing more than to provide high quality and affordable escapes for outdoor enthusiasts, adventurous families, gig-lovers, multi-people rallies & get-to-gethers.
Here’s what you’ve been crying out for- NEW changes for 2025 💫
😆 All pods have mains electric (not solar), we have 4 bell tents left to do. Lights are bright this winter.
⛺️ We’ve added 2 more standard lotus belle tents to our site this year!
🌮 SAY HELLO to a street food truck this year. All details are here.
🤐 OUR LIPS ARE SEALED RIGHT NOW, BUT WE HAVE ONE MORE GLAMPING ADDITION BREWING…
Comments