It's the time of year that causes excitement and dread in equal measure - the arrival of the elf.
If you don't already know about the Elf on the Shelf craze, then you're probably one of the lucky ones, as each December the pesky little things cause havoc in homes across the country.
The craze started in America and has been a tradition in the UK for a number of years now.
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But as much as children love seeing the mischief the elves bring, parents can often find themselves tearing their hair out trying to think of new ways to bring the characters to life.
The idea is that the elf has been sent to spy on children and report their behaviour back to Santa.
And to prove it's real, once kids are safely tucked up in bed, mums and dads put the elf in different locations in the house so he pops up somewhere new when they wake up in the morning - usually having been up to mischief during the night.
While many families use the official Elf on the Shelf merchandise, there are many other versions available from pound shops and the like, so it's a trend that's become accessible to all.
But what starts off as fun in the countdown to the big day can soon become a chore for mums and dads as they struggle to come up with new ways of bringing their elves to life.
That's why we're here to help with ideas from our own Manchester families.
Our mammoth gallery shows the cheeky elves getting up to all sorts of shenanigans - from photocopying their bottoms to covering the living room furniture in wrapping paper.
Swipe through the gallery here to see all 100 Elf on the Shelf ideas and don't forget to show us what yours have been up to.
Don't forget to share your photos of the elf with us on our Manchester Family Facebook page. You can also follow us on Twitter and Instagram @familymanc.
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