Shepherd on the Search Ideas – Countdown to Christmas

Mia is 4 this year and I have been stressing over how to make Christmas more magical while at the same time being stress free for me! A few years ago, we were gifted a Shepherd on the Search, which is along the same lines as an Elf on the Shelf. The main difference, is the Shepherd is more Christ centered versus being Santa’s helper.

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Shepherd on the Search: An Advent Tradition — Mia with her Shepherd 2 years ago. Boy she has grown!

The Shepherd on the Search website has ideas for each day of Advent, but they seemed a little old for my 2 and 4 year old. Instead, I mashed up some ideas from the Shepherd and the ever famous Elf on the Shelf and came up with some printables to make the moving and hiding easy peasy!

Plus, I added a few extra ideas so I can pick an idea based on my mood that night with a few leftovers for next year. Fair warning, these ideas have never been tried in my own home yet, but they sound pretty good, right?! (UPDATED after Christmas – Ideas worked great and photos are below!) I hope you can use them. Also, these ideas would be great for an Elf on the Shelf that wants to bring a little more Christ into Christmas!

Check out my Shepherd/Elf ideas here and print as needed. If you want to edit any ideas and make them your own, just click File –> Make a Copy and add them to your Google drive.

Mama Life Printable: 32 Ideas for a Christ Centered Shepherd on the Search or Elf on the Shelf

UPDATED 2022 – I have expanded my Shepherd on the Search printables to 43 ideas, with colored pages. Access them on my new Etsy site here! – 43 Christ Centered Shepherd Printables

Christ Centered Elf & Shepherd Printables Title Image

UPDATED: Here are some of our Shepherd’s antics since we’ve started this!

Shepherd on the Search - Looking for Jesus in Easter

UPDATED 2022 – I have expanded my Shepherd on the Search printables to 43 ideas, with colored pages. Access them on my new Etsy site here! – 43 Christ Centered Shepherd Printables

Mama Life Printable: 32 Ideas for a Christ Centered Shepherd on the Search or Elf on the Shelf

As always, if you find these ideas helpful, please share using Pinterest or Facebook and tag me on Instagram. I would love to see your Christmas helper antics!