The annual, official The Elf on the Shelf countdown to Christmas is about to become a BIG priority for Bristol parents as a giant edition of Santa’s official The Elf on the Shelf Scout Elf will arrive in the city this December, courtesy of the big man in red’s pals at Redcliffe & Temple BID.
From Friday 1 December until Sunday 24 December, the enormous 15 ft tall The Elf on the Shelf, wearing the iconic red suit and hat with white trim, white collar and mittens, will appear atop several of the city’s buildings. From some of the city’s highest vantage points, The Elf on the Shelf will be the perfect early present to kids throughout Bristol, who will be delighted to spot the elf in a larger-than-life game of hide and seek.
With daily clues as to the elf’s exact location shared on the Redcliffe & Temple BID’s social media channels, fans might witness some classic Scout Elf fun as the elf unravels toilet rolls or eats some festive treats. Those lucky enough to glimpse the first sighting of the Scout Elf helper on Friday 1 December will have the opportunity to catch Love Bristol gift cards that may land right before their feet!
Anyone who embraces this festive tradition will know well that as soon as The Elf on the Shelf is adopted by a family, they must quickly be given a name of their own to activate their Christmas magic. Bringing Bristol further into the action, a city-wide call-out to name the city’s The Elf on the Shelf will run on the social channels of Redcliffe & Temple BID, alongside the daily clues as to the elf’s whereabouts.
The creation of Bristol-based prop and puppet maker Jenny Simmons, the 15ft The Elf on the Shelf has been developed over a two-month timeframe in Jenny’s workshop in Bedminster. A partnership between Redcliffe & Temple BID, the puppet maker and The Lumistella Company’s official The Elf on the Shelf teams in both the US and UK, Bristol’s elf will accurately represent the one, the only The Elf on the Shelf.
Steve Bluff, Head of Redcliffe & Temple BID, said, “What better way to say Merry Christmas to Bristol than with a giant 1 ft elf – and we can’t wait to see what Bristol names our very own The Elf on the Shelf! It’s fantastic to support local talent on the national, and now international stage – and we can’t wait to delight workers, residents and visitors this festive season with a big old Christmas CRACKER – all while bringing festive fun to some of our city’s undiscovered areas.”
Coming and going before Bristol awakes, residents are encouraged to get up and find the new spot the Scout Elf helper takes. Residents are encouraged to blow a kiss and BID the elf farewell, as the elf will fly away when they hear Santa’s bell… but not before a final Christmas treat at one of the city’s most-loved venues on the weekend before Christmas. ‘Tis the season after all.
To follow Bristol’s The Elf on the Shelf adventure and to keep up to date with all the merrymaking across the city, follow Redcliffe & Temple BID on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.