Make Elf on the Shelf More Fun with Free Creative Printables!

This post contains a free printable elf recovery letter and more!

Elf on the Shelf is a magical Christmas tradition that brings so much joy, but let’s be honest—it can be challenging to come up with new and creative ideas every day. The excitement of moving the elf around and coming up with clever setups can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially during the busy holiday season. But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered!

To make it a bit easier and more enjoyable, I’ve created a set of Elf on the Shelf printables to help you out. These include a welcome letter, goodbye letter, and a recovery letter, all designed to keep the magic alive without the stress. With these printables, you can easily add a personal touch to your elf’s story, making the experience even more special for your kids while saving you time and effort.

Elf On The Shelf Printable Free

What is Elf On The Shelf? 

Elf on the Shelf is a fun and festive Christmas tradition where families adopt a Scout Elf whose job is to act as Santa’s eyes and ears throughout the holiday season. Every night, the elf travels to the North Pole to report to Santa, sharing updates on the day’s events and your children’s behavior. Have they been naughty or nice? The magic of the tradition lies in the fact that kids work hard to be on their best behavior, not wanting the elf to tell Santa they’ve misbehaved, all while hoping to stay on the nice list. Each morning, the Scout Elf returns to a new spot in your home, and sometimes even stirs up a little mischief overnight!

How does the Elf arrive the first time?

The first year your elf arrives, it will come in a keepsake box set that includes the illustrated storybook, The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, by mother-daughter duo Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell. Each set contains an elf dressed in red from head to toe. You can now choose from girl or boy elves and select a lighter or darker skin tone.

I love the setup Jessica created for her arrival breakfast! Having her kids wear Christmas PJs added to the magic, and the Christmas coloring tablecloth was the perfect touch. If you’d like to recreate something similar, check out this link to the Peppermint Balloon Ride. It’s truly an entrance your family will remember!

Click here to purchase your first Elf on the Shelf, you can purchase a Scout Elf boy with Blue eyes, a Scout boy with Brown eyes and a Scout elf girl with blue eyes and a Scout Elf girl with brown eyes. 

What are the Elf on the Shelf Rules? 

1. Give your elf a name.
2. On the first day, gather as a family and read The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition.
3. Don’t touch your elf. (This is the most important rule!) If you do, it will lose its magic.
4. The elf must return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve to help Santa get ready for the next holiday season.
5. Remember, Scout Elves can’t speak, but they are excellent listeners!

We’d love to hear the name you picked for your elf! Please share it with us! It’s always fun to see the creative names families come up with.

What age should you start the Christmas Elf tradition?

Every family is unique, so it really depends on when you feel your child is ready to understand Christmas traditions. For our family, we found that 3 years old was the perfect age to start. Ultimately, it’s about finding the right time when your child is excited and curious about the magic of the season.

When does the Scout Elf return each year?

Most elves return between November 24th and December 1st, but every family is different, so feel free to choose what works best for you. If your elf hasn’t come back yet, here are some fun reasons you can give: their training got extended, a snowstorm in the North Pole delayed their trip, they made a few extra pit stops along the way, or they were tied up with some important North Pole duties.

What happens next? 

This is where the fun really begins for you and your child. When the elf returns after reporting to Santa, it will be in a new spot in your home. This is your chance to get creative! If you search for Elf on the Shelf ideas, you’ll find endless inspiration for fun setups. But don’t worry if creating an elaborate scene feels overwhelming—simply moving the elf to a different spot is enough. Your kids will be thrilled each morning, eagerly searching for their elf!

For some easy Elf on the Shelf ideas you can purchase this kit that includes 24-Days of Elf Magic activities. This is a great resource for parents who are limited on time but want to make each day unique then this kit is definitely for you. 

Free Printable Elf On The Shelf Arrival Letter

Elf on The Shelf Arrival

Looking for a fun way to welcome your elf? I’ve created a free printable Elf on the Shelf welcome letter to help introduce your elf to your children. This letter is perfect whether you’re welcoming a brand-new elf or a returning one.

For extra fun, consider creating a welcome breakfast and including my Elf on the Shelf introduction letter. Your kids will wake up to a magical surprise that’s sure to spark their imaginations.

Here’s another fun and creative setup idea: hang your elves from the chandeliers and use Christmas decorations you already have to make the scene more festive. Themed plates, cups and Christmas balloons are a great way to elevate the look of any table setting.

These Elf on the Shelf arrival ideas are a fun way to introduce your elf to your children. Make sure you download this Elf on the shelf arrival letter.

Free Printable Elf Recovery Letter

An Elf Catastrophe! Elf has been accidentally touched. 

Don’t worry, dear parents! I have the perfect solution: an Elf Recovery Letter. This free printable elf recovery letter explains to children what happens when the elf is touched and how it affects the elf’s magic. It also reassures them that the elf will be okay and will be cared for at the North Pole Elf Hospital. Be sure to have this letter printed and ready for when an accident happens. Once it’s time, display the letter somewhere your child can easily see it—perhaps where the elf was last spotted. Some parents like to add a little sparkle by leaving glitter with the letter and sprinkling some on the elf, as though it’s helping to recharge their magic. Of course, this is optional, but it’s a fun little touch! By teaching your children the importance of not touching the elf, you not only help preserve the magic of the tradition but also encourage good behavior, as they’ll be eager to stay on the nice list and keep the elf’s magic intact.

If you’d prefer your kids not to touch the elf but still want to take it along on a Christmas adventure, here’s an alternative: use a Scout Elf Carrier. I purchased one for the upcoming year, and we plan to have our elf travel with us to see Christmas lights. It’s a fun way to keep the magic alive while letting the elf join in on the family festivities!

Free Printable Elf Return Letter

Good Bye Elf!

While saying goodbye can be a little sad, it also marks the arrival of Christmas. The elf’s last day in your home is December 24th, Christmas Eve. There are several reasons you can give your child for why the elf has to leave: they need to complete their final elf training, help take care of Santa’s reindeer, assist Santa in sorting and organizing all the letters he receives throughout the year, and, most importantly, return to their families for the holidays.

Here’s another free printable Elf on the Shelf letter: the Departure Letter. I created this letter to complement our other Elf on the Shelf printables. A new tradition I will be started this year is having an Elf on the Shelf farewell breakfast on Christmas Eve. It’s a magical way to start the day and build excitement for what’s to come. You can pair your farewell breakfast (or lunch) with this goodbye letter, available for instant download.

Letter to Santa Printable 

Need a little extra help? I’m a big fan of Christmas letters, so I created a Letter to Santa template available for digital download. Your child can personalize it by filling out the blank sections. The best time to do this is usually early December, but of course, you can do what works best for your family. This can also be a fun activity for your elf to introduce! Simply print everything out and place it next to your elf with a pen, along with a note from the elf saying it’s time to write a letter to Santa.

If you’re looking for more free printables, be sure to sign up for my newsletter! Just a reminder, these printables are for personal use only. I’d also love to hear any ideas for a different design or suggestions you have—feel free to reach out and share your thoughts!

I hope these Elf on the Shelf printables help enhance the magical experience you create this holiday season. Whether you’re starting the tradition for the first time or continuing it with your family, these little touches can make the holidays even more special. May your home be filled with laughter, joy, and the wonder of Christmas magic! Wishing you and your family a joyful and memorable holiday season, filled with cherished moments and festive fun. Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to sharing more holiday inspiration with you soon!

This post contains a free printable elf recovery letter and more!