Looking to get a few more laughs from your kids during the holiday season? Look no further than your trusty elf partner!

New Jersey mom Mary Grego says the best part of her creative Elf on the Shelf displays is watching her two kids smile and seeing ... telling PEOPLE her unique ideas have "progressed over time ...

My kids are 14 and 16 now, but they held onto their belief in Elf on the Shelf for over a decade ... Stealing Baby Jesus from the nativity set. The ideas varied from maximum mom effort to simple.