Enough about the kids, let’s talk about what WE want to see under the tree (or what we are hoping to give our gal pals this year!). Jen, Liz, and I huddled together and came up with a list of a few of our favorite things from the past year that we’re either hoping to find under the tree with our names OR we’re hoping to surprise a friend with. And, of course, a Smarty list is never complete without a few delicious giveaways. Read on, get some ideas, and enter to win some super fun gifts!
Gretchen Scott’s Funnel – Mandarin
I fell in love with Gretchen’s tunics at first sight and have grown my collection year after year. The bright contrasting patterns are the perfect accompaniment to any jeans. Winter colors are typically dreary, but Gretchen Scott always adds that perfect splash of color that I need in my day. Don’t trap this pink & green girl in black for the winter – I want pinks, navy’s, browns, and patterns. Here is Gretchen’s motto:
LAUGH MORE.. GRIPE LESS.. IGNORE CRITICS.. SAY YES.. ORDER DESSERT.. LOVE LIFE..
Our lucky Smarty will win her very own Funnel Top in Mandarin – color of choice. Value, $109. You can find all of Gretchen Scott designs here.
Liz loves MomAgendas to keep her organized throughout the year. One Smarty winner will receive 1 2014-15 MomAgenda pink desktop edition and 1 2014-15 MomAgenda pink mini daily edition. Calendar runs until December 2015. Click here to see where to find MomAgenda locally.
We all LOVE the entire Lafco candle line. This candles are a-MAZ-ing. They will literally fill your house with the most beautiful scent for hours – wish I could say the same for my boys. I find a great selection of these (and SO MUCH MORE) at Christiansons at Cotswold Marketplace. One Smarty will win a Lafco candle of her choice (depending on availability, of course!).
Christiansons at Cotswold Marketplace
Cotswold Marketplace
200 N Sharon Amity Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
(704) 365-3331
Lila Home’s favorite handbag by Coco & Carmen
We love everything at Lila Home and this Coco & Carmen handbag should be top of your Smarty list from Santa this year. We love the vibrant turquoise blue for sure! One Smarty will win this fab bag valued at $68. Pick me, pick me!
Lila HOME
Toringdon Circle Shopping Center
12206 Copper Way
Suite 128
Charlotte, NC 28277
(877)583-0355
I was introduced to Roberta Roller Rabbit by Roberta Freymann a couple of years ago and have completely fallen in love. You might also remember them from our latest Fall Fashion Giveaway. Lately I have been obsessed with the pajamas – they are SO soft and cuddly. Our two Smarty tween models, Isabel and Ava, are pictured above in their cozy kids’ pajamas. I want a pair of the adult p.j.s under the tree this year (or maybe a gorg robe?!). One lucky Smarty will win a pair of kids’ Roberta Roller Rabbit pajamas to wrap up for their favorite lil’ one.
Find Roberta Roller Rabbit at local trunk shows or online.
Yes, I am biased (because I am a teacher), but my favorite work out on the planet is Pure Barre. I want free classes to be in everyone’s stocking. One Smarty will win a free month of unlimited classes at Pure Barre Charlotte OR Pure Barre Ballantyne.
Pure Barre Charlotte
603 Providence Rd
Charlotte, NC
(980) 329-4640
Pure Barre Ballantyne
8430 Rea Rd #120
Charlotte, NC
(704) 502-5888
Our Smarty team loves to get their sweat on at Flywheel Charlotte – cycle and barre classes. One Smarty will win a 5-pack of Flywheel classes and one Smarty will win a 5-pack of Barre classes. Both win a swag bag full of cool Flywheel gear.
Flywheel Charlotte
2907 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
(980) 819-8501
We LOVE being treated to a blow out at Blo Charlotte! Great for office party,holiday parties, girls nights, and birthdays. The stylists are amazing, and we always leave feeling our best. One Smarty will win a free blow out.
Blo Charlotte
Colony Road Shops
2850 Selwyn Avenue
704-375-7110
Smarty Liz is crushing on this navy monogrammed faux leather purse. Such a great looking handbag that is roomy and easy to carry, and the lining just makes us happy. Find it at Alphabet Soup Gifts, one of our FAVE place to get all of our Smarty gifts and monogrammed items. One lucky Smarty will win this bag with her very own monogram.
Alphabet Soup Gifts
3900 Colony Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
(704) 554-1616
A few of our favorite things could be in YOUR stocking!
Here’s the full list of our holiday favorite things giveaway!
1. 1 2014-15 MomAgenda pink desktop edition and 1 2014-15 MomAgenda pink mini daily edition (perhaps you could give one away to a friend and keep one for yourself!) Planner goes till December of 2015. Mini agenda is valued at $36 and Daily agenda is $42.
2. Free Hair Blo Out from BLO, $40 Value. Choose one of the 7 signature styles.
3. One free navy monogrammed faux leather purse from Alphabet Soup, complete with monogram. Valued at $48 total (bag + monogram).
4. One Lafco New York candle (you choose the scent based on their selection) from Christiansons at Cotswold Marketplace. Valued at $60.
5. One free month of unlimited classes at Pure Barre Charlotte OR Pure Barre Ballantyne. You pick the studio. Valued at $225.
6. 5-pack of Flywheel classes in a Smarty swag bag full of cool Flywheel gear. Valued at $95.
7. 5-pack of FlyBarre class in a Smarty swag bag full of cool Flywheel gear. Valued at $95.
8. A pair of Roberta Roller Rabbit kids’ pajamas to add to your little one’s stocking. Valued at $65.
9. A Gretchen Scott Funnel Top. Valued at $109.
10. A Coco & Carmen Handbag from Lila Home. Valued at $68.
How do you enter? 1) Like this on facebook and share. 2) Leave a comment below and tell us if your Elf on the Shelf has been into more shenanigans this year or has given up and not moved an inch.
We’ll pick our winners next Thursday, December 18th. Merry, merry!
159 comments
My Elf on the Shelf hasn’t come out of the box yet this year… whoops. “Buddy” will be out later today!
My elf is out, but he has not been very creative this year!
Our Elf is in full-force this year! Hanging from the ceiling fans, basketball hoop and light fixture….kind of like my boys!
Our elf and angel are out, and they’ve done a few cute things. Strangely, they forget to move on the nights mom and dad go to Christmas parties. We can only wonder why…
Ours is out and moves to a new spot nightly (or early the next morning before the kids get up) but that’s about it.
Moving but not very creatively (keeping expectations low).
He’s moving but not very creatively!
Our Elf just arrived last night so at this point he has been tame. He always picks the tree as his first location. I am sure there will be some mischief! Last year the toy soldiers had to tie him up and guard him, who know what they found him doing.
Our elf has not made it out of the box this year.
Sadly, my son will not let me enjoy the Christmas fun that comes from the Elf on the Shelf. He’s completely creeped out by the Elf 🙁
We have added a girl elf this year and have definitely continued elf mischief and exciting elf adventures in this house!
I think we are the only family left in America who does not have an Elf on the Shelf. I can not commit to moving him around every day!
Already over the elf but he keeps making appearances to keep the spirit going.
Our Elf frequently comes back to the same spot night after night! This mama is too tired to remember to move that guy every night!
Our Elf is out but not too mischievous yet!:)
Our Elf has had some adventures, but more random moving than in years past. We’re considering reassignment of our Elf for next year.
Our elf did not return from the North Pole last night because of some misbehavior yesterday, which made for some interesting breakfast table conversation. Hopefully, he will be back tonight!
We don’t have an elf – he is creepy!
Our elf just appeared last night! He’s not so into the shenanigans anymore though!
Our elf, Randall, has been out and already getting into trouble…he needs to stay out of our snack cupboard 🙂 liked and shared
Thanks for the chance to win! Our Elf is up to about the same mischief as years passed, sometimes he does rotten things, sometimes I get lazy and he’s just hanging around the Christmas tree, or ceiling fan, or God forbid ‘just’ sitting on the shelf. LOL!!
We are elf-less, but enjoy watching the shenanigans of other elves via facebook.
No elf on the shelf at my house, but love hearing about them at school with my 4th graders!
Our elf has moved…but nothing fancy.
Our elf has been caught not moving two mornings in a row now, oops
Miss Ella Jane was just a little too young this year to be introduced to the Elf, but mommy sure is looking forward to next year!!
Our Elf has arrived but is tired by the time he gets here each night so he just sits in a new uncreative spot.
Our elf has been naughty this year! My oldest is now mom’ s elf helper so he is coming up with new ideas! Takes some pressure off of me! 🙂
Our elf has a crush on my daughter’s Christmas Barbie!
The past 2 mornings have been a rush to remember that pesky elf!! Ack!!
Our elf has been more adventurous this year….most night anyway. Today he’s hanging upside down behind the blinds with a peek a boo note. Kids are enjoying it which makes it fun for me. 🙂
Oyr Elf (Mr Bow Jingles) hasn’t been mischievous at all this year. He has made a snowman with Elsa, driven an ATV and is currently sitting on our JAWS ornament thinking he “needs a bigger boat”. He has prepped the kids toothbrushes and has dad’s reading glasses all spit shined for dad when he gets home. He has been a big help this year by not getting into trouble.
I forgot to mention the army men that taped him to the wall-they were pretty sick and tired of his happy smile and creepy eyes.
Clancy moves, but he’s definitely not as crafty as some of his elf compadres!
We don’t do the elf…
I have so far avoided introducing the elf … Maybe next year ????? 🙂
Our Elf appears after the tree is decorated, but is pretty lazy (or obedient) and just sits in random spots around the house!
he finally made his debut but is very low key this year!
Our elf finds a new hiding place every morning.
Elf on the Shelf?! Whatever happened to the phrase “Santa’s watching you!” Now we have to add one more thing to the list?! Ugh.
We don’t have an elf yet! Santa’s naughty list should get us through at least one more holiday! 😉 fingers crossed!
My daughter is terrified of the Elf on the Shelf…full on screams and cries until she vomits kind of scared. So I never bought her one. Maybe next year??
He is coming out tonight just in time for my little girls 3rd birthday! I think he is going to have fun this year!
Our elf, Sam, was protesting for 3 days (by not moving at all) until the Christmas tree arrived. We’ll have to see if he has any other reasons not to move over the next couple of weeks 🙂
i refuse to do elf on the shelf! Refuse I tell ya! 🙂
Our elf does move every night, but he does not cause trouble. We just aren’t that creative.
I love the #10purse from Lila! Our elf is fairly calm. My daughter asked him through a note if we could have a girl elf join him. After ignoring the notes for a few days I finally scratched a note from Rudolph that he “prefers to work alone”. Geez if I can’t remember to move one I’m not getting suckered in for two!
I have 2 teenagers on a shelf! That’s enough to keep up with !!!
Our elf has been getting gifts from our daughter made on her rainbow loom… Super cute. I am the worst at remembering to move him- i even set an alarm on my phone ! My little girls’s friend has an emsil address for her elf … Lol … So much pressure to keep up. For now we just appreciate the magic and joy our kids get out of our dear Mr Jingle. Btw- for those with nasty falls or accidental touchings … I heard a quick trip to the freezer restores enough magic for a trip back to Santa for repairs !! Merry Christmas !!
We don’t have an elf! One less thing to stress about 🙂
Our elf has been up to all sorts of fun things 🙂
Minimal elf shenanigans at our house (but it is our first year with the elf.) Luckily I have remembered to move that elf – harder said than done!
Our elf moves a few inches each night but nothing special.
No elf on the shelf for us – ever…too much pressure on me to remember to think of something creative…
Our elf on the shelf decided to go skiing in Steamboat for the holidays, so we haven’t seen him :).
My Elf on the Shelf has been traveling since Thanksgiving. I heard from him yesterday and he is in Michigan on his way to Wisconsin and then Ohio.
My son is still too young for elf of the shelf. Luckily for this mom, the little elf will stay in the box this year!
our elf, buddy, is just hanging out in easy spots. But, he did. Set the tooth fairy!
Our elf has been very busy traveling back and forth to school with my girls in a ziplock bag. They have been writing him notes daily asking him to tag along. Also, he has been busy hanging out in marshmallow bubble baths and other adventure that are wearing “me” our. However, I am just very happy that my 10 year is still such a strong beleiver. These innocent days are numbered for sure!!!
Well, mommies have to give Santa permission to send an elf and I’m too worried he will send a naughty elf that makes big messes. So, I haven’t given him permission to send one here.
Our elf moves every night but that’s his limit. Anything else and I would resent him.
My elf seems to “forget” to move each night…thank goodness for that first cup of coffee before the kids are up! Snaps me into reality and “reminds” me to move him!
Instead of trying to out do myself with their antics this year, I’m outdoing myself with their hiding places. It’s been taking the kids two days (minimum) to find them which just buys me extra nights off.
So our elf is nearing retirement, so as he ages he bacomes a little less crazy. He only moves from place to place. Sort of lame I know, but it is enough of a chore to remember to move him every night…
Our elf got off to a less than stellar start, but is quickly covering some ground. He most recently wasted two bags of marshmallows in a late night attempt at a “bubble” bath. While I am certainly not the little guy’s biggest fan, my kids have been up and dressed for school early in hopes of catching him. I will take it.
I have gotten lucky this year in that my oldest (who is 11) has figured out the elf thing and he hides it for me!
Elf is hiding at our house! May make his first appearance tomorrow. Think our 10 yo is playing us!
the elf so terrified my son a couple years back, that he is now gone for good!! Kind of a relief as its one less thing to do this time of the year!
No elf for this family.
We do Hannukah and I refuse to buy the “Mensch on the Bench.”
Our elf has been up to a lot–mostly playing musical instruments!!
Didi’s only shenanigan so far this year was bandages and an elf-written note after she was touched and fell to the ground…
My so is only 2 so we haven’t invested or should I say asked for an Elf yet. 🙂 The shenanigans are held off for another year!
We aren’t an elf on the shelf family- just not buying into it! However, my son hears his friends discussing their elf and I believe he makes up his own elf story! Sheesh!
Charlie, our elf is doing his best to get moved each night. Sometimes it is a paper, rock, scissors battle to decide who has to get out of the warm bed and go downstairs to move him because we forgot.
Shared! Out Elf Buddy is pretty uneventful he just moves around the house and occasionally leaves notes. One morning he was on the chandlier over the kitchen table and one of the lights went out. The kids were eating breakfast and noted the light had gone out. The asked if Buddy could fix it or if Santa could send the tools to fix it. About 10 minutes later the light came back on and the kids looked up and said “WHOAAAAA Buddy fixed the light he CAN hear us!” Have no idea how it happened but the kids sure do believe he can see and hear them 🙂
Our elf has been low key this year- moving around various spots in the house!
We do not do the Elf on the Shelf at our house…instead I have a Nightmare Before Christmas Jack that is dressed up like Santa on top of the advent calendar and he reports back to Santa 😉
Our elf moves every night! He’s been more creative this year!
The elf was on a bookshelf and my 10 year old built a Lego fort around him. He was so well hidden that my husband could not find him. My husband thought he had forgotten where he put him – too funny.
Our Elf Clyde has come out, he’s been into everything! Terrorising the poor cats, hiding their food and toys. In the middle of the night, you can hear the cookie jar lid open and close, in the morning, they are all gone! He turns my alarm clock off, hides my daughter’s backpack, and she has bbeen late for school, three days this week! Clyde is enough to drive anyone CRAZY!
Tickle the elf has moved most nights, but that’s about it – he just finds a different place to sit. Riding the reindeer candle holder is about as wild as he gets.
We are elf-less.
Our elf is currently hanging upside down from the wine rack…not sure if elves are aloud to drink but our 1 year old boxer attempted to procure him from his hiding spot the day before so I think he is letting off a little steam :).
Our elf, jingles, is up to his yearly antics and so far hasn’t missed a night…
Our elf moves most nights. He sometimes writes notes back to the 2nd grader who writes him, talks to him, and pretty much adores him. Her brothers just like finding him.
Our elf THEO is moving every night. Thank god he remembers! I think this will be his last year…sad but also mixed emotions! Who invented the elf on a shelf…..a MAN???? All I know is this mom keeps is simple….I don’t set the standards too high…that way I don’t fail! HO HO HO
I am priding myself on not setting the bar too high at a young age with the elf. The elf appears and moves about the house but my kids are 3 & 5 so the fancy elf scenes are not in the forcast for this year. Maybe in a few years.!
Our elf wasn’t going to make an appearance this year, but apparently the other 2nd graders’ elves managed to show up, so I got suckered again. He moves every night, but nothing all that exciting. I refuse to have him do anything that makes a mess!
We have two elves on the shelf and they have gotten into some trouble this year. One night they emptied all the Toliet paper, another night they got into cookies and hot cocoa.
Our elf, we called red, is a lot less mischievious this year but still very active. Swinging on hanging snowflakes, drinking syrup from the bottle with a straw and reading the storybible stones to the fake elves we use as decorations so that they can learn about the meaning of Christmas.
Ha, our elf has hardly moved. And one night stayed in the same spot!!! It is too much work this time of the year, just move a different room every night. Would love to win this!
ours moves, or doesn’t move while they are at school. I tell them if she doesn’t move it must mean that she was not pleased with their performance at school. Works like a charm! I have decided the Elf needs to work for me a little too this year!
Our elves sometimes forget to move. Our kids believe they stay up too late and fall asleep.
Our elf made his debut this year for our 2 year old! It’s been so much fun to watch him look for the elf’s new spot each morning 🙂
Our elf is out but has been quite lazy this year. Lucky to move each night!
Our clever elf set my iPhone alarm to go off at 10:00 PM every night so that he remembers to pick a new hiding spot! He exhausted himself last year being clever and staging elaborate scenes, so this year, he’s playing hide n seek. Probably his last year with us . . . thank you Lord!
My elf is out, sometimes he moves, sometimes he stays still. All depends on his mood!
We’ve had a few Elf Shenanigans, but mostly just lots of fun searching the house for him.
My husband is in charge of our elf…glad to not have that job!
We’ve had a few “morning moves” with the elf … He stays in his spot overnight but then flies to his new spot while we are at work/school.
Jingles arrived on 12/1, and thankfully we have 2 “older kids” that help him around the house causing so much joy and laughter for our 6 year old.
No elf shenanigans here!
Ours is out. Put him a little to close to the light though last night and he now sports a burnt arm! EEEEEK!
No elf for us!
“gilly” is killing me this year! I have had to set an alarm on my phone to remind myself to move him! This morning he enjoyed a nice game of tackle football with the boys “football guys”
Great list Cher! We plan to introduce the elf next year – love seeing all the creative and fun ideas
Jessie stays in the same place several nights a week bc he ‘likes the view’. Oops
we celebrate Hanukkah so no elf here
No elf here.
Elfie has been a little naughty when he “remembers” to move! Got into the flour (snow angels on the counter) and hung from the chandelier.
our elf is naughty this year, slow to move but funny!
Don’t have a elf. Great giveaway!
Our elf, Ricky Red, is a pretty simple dude 🙂 He just enjoys hanging out in easy places.
Our elf moves daily around the house. He’s relatively boring with little to no mischief. He does leave notes and my youngest child writes back. The letters are priceless. I’m keeping every one of them!
Our elf, Star has been pretty busy. He has been pinned in a wrestling match by the pros, hung from being tangled in Christmas lights, gotten into the cookies and pistachio nuts and even gone on a hot date with Barbie in her pink convertible. He has much more trouble to get in before it is time for him to leave:-)
i can’t even spell my name right, it’s Sharon Collins☺️
Our elf, Ms. Jingle Bells, has only been creative when she can scramble to find something new on Pinterest!
We actually don’t do Elf on a Shelf! Although seeing all the creative ideas makes me think he might be showing up me t year!
Our elf moves, but he is not very creative!
Our elf has basically moved around to a new hiding spot every day. It’s a good happy medium haha! I keep trying to remind myself that they will be too big to care about this soon and I may even miss this little game.
Our elf moves thanks to my amazing husband!
Homer II has gotten better about hiding since my husband stopped traveling. The creativity is improving too. We have forgotten a few times. Love all the fabulous goodies and treats you all are giving away.
We don’t have an elf on the shelf – too much else to keep track of during this busy, busy time of year. Remembering to move the elf daily would stress me out!
No elf. 🙁
Our elf (Jingle) was very busy for the first 2 weeks of December. Since then, he was gotten tired and moved around a bit less. This week, he only moved 1 time! I guess that Jingle is getting worn out!
Our elf has not been very mischief this year. Just flies to a new location each day.
Wilhelmina the Elf has not been very creative this year, but has managed to move nightly
I love all of the things above. My favorites have to be the purses and the mommy agenda book. I am biased because I need a new purse and my life organized. Our lovely Elf Nicky continues to roam around the house. He has been a good Elf this year and not gotten into too much trouble YET!
Our Angel replaced the Elf & she is reminding us that it is Advent!
He is not doing so well this year.
Joseph, the elf is b a c k! I must admit that I run out of ideas and love pintrest to see creative ways for the mischievous elf to make a new appearance.
No elf here this year. Lucky to have a tree and a wreath. Soooo busy.
Our elf, Peter Jambalaya Peter, simply sits on shelves as any good elf should 🙂 He moves most nights after we’ve tucked ourselves into bed and we curse ourselves because we have to get back up to assist him.
We have a very lazy elf this year 🙁
No elf at our house, either. But, we get to enjoy all the mischief that everyone else’s elves get into, so it’s ok!
Our elf has been moving, but lost his clever tricks.
Our elf started out being a little mischievous…until I got the flu. I think he’s been in the same place the last 5 days!!
My husband has been in charge of Elfie and therefore has stepped up his game and the kids love it!
Our Elf Tiki is a nut!! Last night he played in the sprinkles and the night before that he built a snowman out of candy! Our oldest two 11 and 9 still love finding him and our 3 year old has a blast every morning looking for that crazy elf! I love this tradition. I also liked and shared on facebook. Thank you!!!
We have thought about an elf. But have never done it!
lucy has definitely been up to more shenanigans this year as our daughter is older and more into it this year…..a lot to keep up with for sure!
Ramone was hoping to retire soon but the kids love him so much that he will stay with us for a few more years. He does bring fun things but no shenanigans allowed.
Cowboy has been out and about for a few weeks this year. His creativity depends on mom’s energy level that night. Thankfully we have only had one 4am panicked wake up when we forgot to move him!
Our boy is only 11 months, so we’re holding off with the Elf until next year. I had an Elf in my classroom the last 4 years and learned what fun it can be for the little ones!!
Our elf has been having an extended siesta!
Our elf is still in the box, we have a seven-month old! 🙂
My elf is a total overachiever (thanks to my husband)!
No elf on a shelf yet… my little one is only 8 months old. Next year for sure!
No Elf on the Shelf this year!
No elf yet, maybe next year.
Our elf moves a lot and has been summoned via phone call a time or two to check in on things – greatest behavior monitor ever!
That bastard hasn’t moved an inch from the toilet.
No Elf for us. But my daughter’s class has one…
Our elf zip lined but then got awfully tired and took a 10 day vacation!!
More than usual since it’s the last year I will have a believer in the house!!
Our elf is trapped by Spider-Man
Elf on the shelf hasn’t been born yet.
My elf is sleeping under the tree.