Lucky kids! Busy Philipps charms fans with her elaborate Elf on the Shelf displays, in which they make snow angels in flour, decorate a gingerbread house, and do LAUNDRY
- The mom-of-two, 38, has been posting several unconventional Elf on the Shelf scenes on Instagram
- These include the elves posing at a farmers market and reading Playbill magazines after a trip to Broadway
- Married to screenwriter Marc Silverstein since 2007, Busy has two daughters, Birdie, 9, and Cricket, four
- The LA-based actress has amassed a huge following on social media in recent years, boasting nearly 800,000 followers on Instagram
It's fair to say actress Busy Philipps is having a moment.
But it's not thanks to her latest movie or TV show - the 38-year-old mom-of-two has amassed a huge following on social media courtesy of her frank and hilariously funny Instagram posts.
And this festive season, her almost daily Elf on the Shelf updates have been capturing the hearts of her 792,000 followers - in addition to her daughters Birdie, 9, and Cricket, four.
Shelf life: Busy Philipps, pictured with daughters Cricket, 4, (left) and Birdie, 9 (right), has been keeping fans entertained with her Elf on the Shelf posts on Instagram
Theater buff: The 38-year-old actress revealed that she loves thinking up unusual scenarios for her elves, including trips to Broadway to see a play, pictured
Getting busy: Busy's elves can also be seen taking a plane ride to New York and making snow angels after breaking into the family's baking flour supply
Shop local: Busy also staged a farmers market for her elves, complete with food stalls and other toys as customers
In true Busy fashion, the elves aren't having the most conventional holiday season, and are taking trips to the theater, sightseeing in New York and even helping out with household chores.
Speaking to Martha Stewart.com, the Freaks and Geeks star explained where her inspiration comes from.
'The Elf on the Shelf game is a very big deal in my house for Christmas. I do crazy scenes. Last year, my elves starred in “Hamilton”; they did “Chopped.”
'They had a cooking competition in our kitchen. I love dioramas, so for me, it’s the perfect application of my crafting and creativity,' she added.
The LA-based blonde, who married husband Marc Silverstein in 2007, also revealed that she plans ahead, thinking up different scenarios for the elves at night - including what elaborate props she needs.
'At night, I love thinking of different things. [Our elves] go to the beach. I make a beach with kinetic sand. You can look on my Instagram -- it’s pretty intense. I’ve gotten some feedback from moms that you’re making us look bad. But it’s the one thing I do. And I make really fancy cakes,' she added.
In one picture, the elves (who traveled to New York with the family) can be seen reading from tiny Playbill magazines, having attended a play on Broadway earlier that day.
Miniature Metro cards, used to access the subway in New York City, can also be seen scattered on the floor.
On your marks: In another scene, the elves competed in a race with other toys
Sweet: The elves can also be seen decorating a gingerbread house and leaving decorating kits for Busy's daughters in one picture and having a sleep over in another snap
Hang ups: The elves also demonstrated their laundry skills in another picture, posing with freshly laundered Santa suits
Busy captioned the shot with: 'The elves had a real New York sightseeing day! They went to the Empire State Building, rode the subway and saw the hit Broadway show Dear ELFin Hansen. Overall, they had a great time!'
In another, the elves can be seen hanging out their own laundry, perched on a makeshift washing line in her entrance hallway.
And in another snap, Busy revealed that her elves had gotten into a box of cake flour, using the white powder to make snow angels.
They even established a farmer's market for her daughters' other toys, as Busy explained by captioning a cute picture which featured food stands with: 'The elves threw a farmers market last night in our kitchen and everyone came to shop for the week!'
The Elf on the Shelf phenomenon started 12 years ago when mom and daughter duo Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell self-published The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, after their book was rejected by several publishers.
When Chanda's twin sister, Christa Pitts, joined them on the business venture, the family began selling the book and doll at local Christmas festivals near their hometown of Marietta, Georgia.
Today, the Elf on the Shelf book has sold more than eight million copies and grossed millions of dollars for its founders.
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