Stuffed Animal Poker Game
How it's done
Your elf hosts a high stakes poker night in the living room, seated at the head of the table surrounded by a circle of stuffed animals. Each participant has a small hand of playing cards and a stack of chocolate gold coins in front of them. This setup takes about fifteen minutes to arrange and involves absolutely no cleanup the next morning. It works well for children of all ages, though you should swap the chocolate for buttons or plastic tokens if you have a curious dog at home. This setup was Inspired by Another Mommy Blogger.
You'll need
- playing cards
- stuffed animals
- chocolate gold coins
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Chocolate is toxic to dogs, keep out of pet reach.
Why this works
Living-room scenes are the most photogenic. The Christmas tree, the couch, the mantel all frame the elf beautifully for the family photo you'll actually take (and maybe post). This mid-difficulty scene trades a little more setup time for a bigger 'wow' moment when your kids walk in.
Variations
- Pet-safe version: Try Ankshiosis Stuffed Animal Medics , same idea, but no chocolate, loose candy, or floor-level hazards. Swap the elements that worry you and keep the rest.
- Bigger-kid twist: For an older crowd that sees through simple scenes, step up to Canvas Self Portrait Art , same room, cleverer setup.
If it doesn't go to plan
If the elf ends up too well-hidden and the kids can't find it, nudge them with a vague hint ("Looks like our elf went somewhere cozy"), the discovery is the point.
Inspired by Another Mommy Blogger . Visit the original post for more photos and the full backstory.
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