A few years ago, I began creating an annual design that highlights the impact of unseen, mischievous elves on our lives.
This is the original “elf on a shelf,” intended to be cut out and placed at the edge of a shelf, mantel, or picture frame each year.
Each post below includes a link to the printable PDF version. Feel free to download and cut them out to decorate your home!
- Julenisser 2025
This is my sixth original Nisse, and I hope you’re enjoying the silliness as much as I am! Cut around the outline and fold back the two tabs to stand them up at the edge of a shelf. For best results, download and print the PDF version below – it has the whole story! This… Julenisser 2025 - Julenisse 2024
Woo hoo! After many years of studying Danish language and culture, I traveled to the small, happy Nordic country in September of this year. Stig and I brought back thousands of photos and priceless memories of time with family. Unfortunately for y’all, we also brought back unintentional souvenirs, as evidenced by my Christmas card illustration.… Julenisse 2024 - Julenisse 2023
WHO, ME? Meps’ 2023 Julenisse is up to no good! He’s baaaack, our small Danish friend with the pointy ears! This year’s Julenisse has decided that some books are contributing to the downfall of civil society, so he’s taking matters into his own hands. He’s especially offended by anything authored by a Schulte, as well… Julenisse 2023 - Julenisse 2022
Jeg præsenterermin tredje åreligJulenisse! (presenting my third annual Christmas-elf) Having completed 18 months of Danish lessons, I continue to learn about the havoc these small barn creatures have wrought on Nordic families for hundreds of years. His digital mischief this time may not impact you directly, but it illustrates the far-reaching effects of tiny, unseen… Julenisse 2022 - Julenisse 2021
The onset of the pandemic last year inspired my unorthodox illustration of a Nisse, the mischievous elf of Danish folklore. Families of yore were expected to set out a bowl of porridge to appease these little barn creatures on Christmas Eve. Otherwise, the elves would wreak havoc on the household the following year. This year,… Julenisse 2021 - Julenisse 2020
Julenisse: The original “Elf on the Shelf” In olden times, farmers in Denmark blamed all kinds of misfortune on a mischievous elf who lived in the barn: The Nisse. On Christmas Eve, members of the household were expected to set out a bowl of porridge to appease them. Otherwise, the elves would “up their game,”… Julenisse 2020