The most exciting time of the year for kids is December and the most exciting morning for any elf family {other than Christmas Day} is December 1st because the kids know their special elf friend will be coming back to visit. But how will they make their appearance? Will they bust in with a grand entrance, be sneaky and hide, or return with some Christmas goodies?
Whether you have an Elf on the Shelf, or any other type of elf, there's so many fun ways to make the elf's {or elves} return extra special. Here's 30 different ways for the elf to arrive {some of them can even be combined for an extra spectacular arrival}. It doesn't matter if your elf is arriving for the very first time, or returning for another year of fun.
HOW TO INTRODUCE YOUR ELF FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME
If this is the very first time you're introducing an elf to your family these are a few ways you can get prepared for their arrival:
- Read my complete Elf on the Shelf guide so you know what to expect.
- Research Pinterest or blog posts ahead of time for ideas
- Make a secret Pinterest board of ideas.
- Join our Elf Facebook group Elfing Around
- Organise any Elf accessories you want to use ahead of time.
- Set an alarm on you phone for each night in December {use a secret alarm name just in case}.
- Plan your Elf arrival idea ahead of time.
- Don't forget to pick the perfect Elf name.
- Keep these easy elf hiding spots saved for nights you have no motivation.
- If you forget to move the Elf check out this post for excuses why the Elf didn't move.
- Bookmark this list of excuses to use if you're ever caught moving the Elf
- Plan how the Elf will leave once the fun is over.
- Have a look through the videos on the Elf on the Shelf YouTube channel.
- Watch the Netflix special An Elf Story or Elf Pets: Santa's Reindeer Rescue with the kids.
- Make or purchase an elf first arrival letter for the elf to bring when they arrive.
- Read the book that comes with the elf the morning they arrive {if you bought the official Elf on the Shelf elf}.
You can also use any of the arrival ideas featured in this post for the first time the elf arrives, however instead of saying I'm back have them say I'm here {or we're here if there's more than one}. I would definitely recommend adding in a special arrival letter the first time though to give the kids some more context {if they're old enough to understand it}.
30 FUN WAYS FOR THE ELF TO ARRIVE
Families from different countries all over the world celebrate the elf in many different ways, however the general consensus is that the elf will arrive to your home sometime between Thanksgiving and December 1st. Whether they arrive on Thanksgiving, black Friday, or December 1st {or even later if you forget}, all of these elf arrival ideas are perfect ways to welcome the elf into your home for the very first time or to welcome them back for another season of fun.
Elf Arrival Letter
One of the simplest ways to have the elf return for another year is with a special arrival letter. You can get many personalised printable arrival letters on Etsy for just a few dollars and you can edit them with your kids and elf {or elves} names. Or you can hand write out a letter from the elf yourself.
Doorbell camera video
If you have a ring doorbell, or any door bell with a movement camera, you can half the elf {or elves} appear on the front door camera asking to be let in. Either record a video of them peeking up into view and show it to the kids, or take a screenshot of them on the camera. Then tell the kids to go find them at the front door.
Special Delivery Parcel
An exciting way for the elf to arrive is wrapped up in a special delivery box from the North Pole. You can get the Elf Mail packing labels here or print out free Santa delivery swing tags here to attach to the parcel. Then leave the parcel at the front door {only if you think it'll be safe outside, or leave it inside the front door} or put it under the Christmas tree. If you prefer sticker labels you can get North Pole delivery stickers here.
Elf Express Arrival Envelope
Another fun way for the elf to arrive is in their own special elf delivery envelope from the North Pole. You can get some really cute embroidered felt Elf express envelopes on Etsy and you can also get return envelopes to send the elf back to the North Pole.
Yard Sign
Have the elf announce their arrival to the whole neighbourhood with an epic yard sign. You can hire Elf on the Shelf yard signs from hire companies {look up one local to you} or you can find some generic elf yard signs on Amazon.
On the Window with Snow
Uh oh! The elf was so eager to come back they've gone splat on the window! Add some fake snow spray and write I'm back in it for dramatic effect.
Outside the door with snow message
Leave the elves waiting on the door step outside {if it's safe to do so} with let us in it's cold written on the door or a window in fake snow.
Stuck in the Blinds
If you have horizontal blinds in your house you can place the elf stuck in the blinds like it magically came through the window and then got caught up in the blinds. You can also use the poem Roses are red, Violets are blue, I got stuck in the blinds coming back to you.
Arrive With Advent Calendars
If your elf arrives on December 1st and you normally do advent calendars for the kids, then an easy arrival idea is for the elf to bring the advent calendars with them. We did this the first few years when my big girl was still quite young and didn't expect elaborate escapades from our elf.
Arrive With December 1st Box
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| Image: Advent Elf |
If you have a December 1st box tradition {similar to a Christmas Eve box, but it arrives December 1st} like we do then it's always fun for the elf to arrive in the box. Typically December 1st boxes are filled with items like Christmas pyjamas, craft activities, movies, books and advent calendars.
Elf Parade
The elves can arrive with a parade, similar to the Macy's Thanksgiving parade, complete with car and truck floats and helium balloons. The other toys can line the street to welcome the elves back.
Elf Construction
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| Image: @jingle.and.belle.adventures |
Build the suspense to your elf's arrival by setting up an elf construction zone where they're secretly building their elf door or house so they can come visit. Add some elf construction signs to warn the kids it's a work site. You can add to the construction zone over a few days or make the door appear the next day.
Elf Door
Whether you set up a construction zone beforehand or not, the elf can enter your house through their own special elf door that only appears in December.
Elf House
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| Image: Gail Ekola |
If you want to go all out you could make an entire elf house by either upcycling a shadow box similar to how we made our own fairy house using a shadow box, or by renovating an existing doll house into an elf house. Gail transformed a Barbie doll house into the amazing elf house shown above with some decorative paper, vinyl and the most amazing tiny props {have a look in our group for close up pics}.
If you want to decorate your own special elf house have a look at my list of elf accessory ideas for heaps of miniature prop ideas. If you have the Ikea Flisat dolls house you can get a special elf house decal here.
Stuck in a Balloon
A really fun way for the elf to arrive is inside a balloon. This one can be a little tricky as you need to get the elf inside the balloon then blow it up, but don't worry there are tips to help you. Firstly, buy larger latex balloons and then use a canning tool to help open the balloon wide enough for the elf to easily fit in. Frugal couple living have a tutorial for putting the Elf inside a balloon here.
Elf Puzzle
Another fun way to announce the elf's arrival is to leave a personalised puzzle from the elf {or elves, there's a few different designs}. Leave the pieces scattered in a pile so the kids need to put the puzzle together to read the message. You can reuse it every year and if the kids get bored doing the puzzle as they get older then glue the completed puzzle onto a backing board and use it as an arrival sign instead.
Scrabble Message
The elf can arrive back with a personalised scrabble message for the kids including words like I'm back, missed you, happy to be home, I love you. Simply type up the messages and print them out then arrange them like scrabble words. You could also do this one the fridge with scrabble magnets.
North Pole Breakfast
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| Image: @brittney_delk |
A popular tradition for the elf's arrival is a special North Pole breakfast. The Elf arrives by setting up a scrumptious feast for the kids which can include pancakes, waffles, gingerbread men, fruit, smoothies and even donuts. You can also get a free printable North Pole breakfast colouring sheet here.
Lucky You I'm Back
Grab a box or two of lucky charms and have the elf {or elves} set up a bowl of cereal with a sign saying lucky you I'm back {or we're back}. You can have them poking out of the lucky charms box to show them busting back into your house.
Elf Scavenger Hunt
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| Image: @elfontheshelf_sahmstyle |
A really fun elf arrival idea is to have a scavenger hunt to find the elf. Just like an Easter egg hunt, you can use a series of clues to lead the kids around the house to eventually find the elf. Simplify Create Inspire has a free set of elf scavenger hunt clues you can download and use in any order.
Do nut worry I'm Back!
The elf can come back with a special box of donuts and a sign saying do-nut worry I'm back! You can also get a free printable donut worry I'm back sign featuring a donut here.
With Christmas Tree Decorations
If you put your Christmas tree up on the 1st of December {or even the night before}, the elf can arrive with the decorations to decorate the tree. We've done this one a few times with a mini tree just for the kids so they have their own special tree to decorate {and then it also doesn't matter if the actual Christmas tree has already been set up and decorated}.
Elf Hidden in Christmas Tree
If you have a sneaky elf that likes to play tricks they could arrive hiding in the tree. The picture above shows an awesome elf arrival that also combines an elf envelope, advent calendar and sleigh!
Arriving in a Sleigh
If you have an elf sized sleigh this is a great way for them to make a memorable entrance on December 1st {it's also a fun elf departure idea too!}. If you're crafty you can always make your own sleigh or sled with ply wood or popsicle sticks, or you can buy handmade sleighs and there's also an inflatable Elf on the Shelf sled.
Elf Hot Air Balloon
One my girls really loved was the elf arriving swinging from a hot air balloon. We made our own DIY elf hot air balloon using a paper honeycomb ball, toilet paper roll and some clever engineering. This is also a great one to do any time during the month.
Zip Line to the Christmas Tree
Every year our elf likes to zip line across to the Christmas tree at some point during the month. This would be a great way to arrive too - even better if the elf had an I'm back banner attached to the zip line!
Elf Express Air Mail
Another fun way for the elf to arrive is by express air mail. If you know how to make a paper plane then you'll be able to make your very own express mail plane so the elf can fly in for his grand arrival. Follow the instructions at Busy Kids Happy Mom to make your own elf plane.
Christmas Light Runway Landing
If you have a real toy airplane, the elf can fly in and land on their own special Christmas light guided runway strip.
Elf Surveillance Camera
If you think the kids need to be reminded to be on their best behaviour for Santa then your elf can arrive with a special Santa surveillance camera. We got ours at a dollar store and it flashes so they know he's watching. If you can't find a specific Santa cam, you can always use dummy cctv cameras.
Elf Quarantine
One of the most popular elf arrive ideas for 2020 and 2021 was elf quarantine. This idea is still relevant for 2024 and you can use it as a 1 day option, or up to 14 days in quarantine. To make your elf quarantine set up you'll need a clear jar or upside down glass, a quarantine sign/notice and you can print off some quarantine props like these.
Now that you have plenty of ideas to organise the elf's arrival, get a head start and plan the rest of the elf's antics so you're not running around at the last minute each night. You can find loads of easy Elf on the Shelf ideas here and if you want to make the month of December run really smooth then you can plan all your elf antics ahead of time with an elf planner {just make sure the kids don't find it!}.
For lots of fun elf ideas, encouragement and motivation throughout December, join our elf ideas Facebook group where parents from all over the world share the mischief their elves get up to.
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The construction zone is so cute! These are all great ideas, can't wait to get to work this year with our elf!
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