Best. Morning. Ever.

I know we're not even to Halloween yet, but I also know that the Holidays get CRAZY and that if you're like me you like to plan ahead.  So.... today I thought I'd share one of my FAVORITE Christmas traditions - our North Pole Breakfast!!! 

I started Elf on the Shelf with my kids when Luke was 4 and Mason was 1. Luke TOTALLY got it and Mason was along for the ride.

Look how excited Little Luke was!!!  Our elf, Buddy, arrived for the season and brought an extra sweet breakfast with him :)

At our North Pole Breakfast 2013 the party moved to our little table, but the treats, surprises, notes and fun decorations stayed the same.

In 2014 Buddy brought his A-Game along with matching jammies!

And last year!

And more matching jams!

While things are tweaked and change a bit each year a few things have stayed the same.  Buddy always leaves the kids a note...

And each of the kids always gets an ornament.  Typically the ornaments have special meanings for that year.  In 2012 Mason got a sandwich with a bite taken out of it because 18 month old Mason ALWAYS used to say "bite! bite! bite!" and wanted bites of all of our food.  Luke got the Rise and Shine school ornament because it was his first time at school and Griffin (who was still in my belly) got a popcorn ornament because that's what the boys called her.

Bacon for our bacon-loving boy...

... and an army man because that's what Mason always said he wanted to be when he grew up that year. 

Buddy also brings a little surprise for the kids.  Christmas socks or slippers, a Christmas movie, pencils, etc.  Just something little and fun.

A couple of notes...

- I picked up the Christmas dishes at Hobby Lobby back in 2012.  Hobby Lobby already has their Christmas dishes out so if you're thinking of picking some up now is the time.   I think these would also be precious (click on the pics for more info)

These straws are so fun and since there are 25 in a pack you could use them for multiple years :)

- Our elf usually comes sometime between Thanksgiving and December 1st.  We just pick a morning that allows us some extra time to lounge and enjoy.

- I think my boys MAY have outgrown the matching long johns so this year I'm leaning toward something like these with a plain t-shirt (click on the pics)

 

and I'm loving these for Griffin...

- Our elf usually brings the kids a little something fun and here are a few ideas I'm thinking through this year (click on the pics for info)...

  

 

   

And why does Buddy go to such great lengths to make it special???  This right here...

Your North Pole Breakfast could be as elaborate or simple as you'd like to make it - I err on the side of "over the top", but simple powdered sugar donuts on some fun paper Christmas plate could totally do the trick :)  We read the book, enjoy a fun morning together and kick off the Christmas season.  My kids look forward to this every year and while I know that one day the elf part won't be as important I hope that the breakfast tradition lives on.  

So, pick a date and mark it in your calendar, order some matching jammies and start thinking of a few fun touches to make the morning extra special for your crew.

Also, I'm ALWAYS looking for fun Elf ideas so if you have a great one leave it in the comments!!!

Happy Wednesday, Friends!

PS - This post contained  affiliate links which means that if you clicked on an item and made a purchase I may receive a commission.  THANK YOU!!!