Posted by If your Elf is coming back this Christmas, you might already be wondering how you’re going to keep the magic going all month long with new elf on the shelf ideas.
Coming up with one cute idea is easy.
Coming up with a new idea every single night in December? That’s another story.
As a mom, I know how quickly the holiday season can get busy. Between Christmas shopping, school activities, wrapping presents, decorating, and everything else on your list, remembering to move an Elf every night can become one more thing you have to think about.
That’s why I’ve put together all of my favorite Elf on the Shelf resources in one place.
Whether you’re trying to choose the perfect name, planning your Elf’s arrival, looking for printable letters and notes, searching for a quick joke, or desperately needing a last-minute idea, you’ll find it here.
Think of this as your Elf on the Shelf survival guide for the entire Christmas season.
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Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letter
One of the sweetest ways to start the Elf tradition is with a special arrival letter.
Instead of simply placing your Elf somewhere in the house, you can have your Elf arrive with a note explaining that he’s back and excited to spend the Christmas season with your family.
A printable letter makes this especially easy. You don’t have to spend time writing one yourself or trying to make it look cute at the last minute.
I’ve created a free printable Elf on the Shelf arrival letter that you can print and have ready in just a few minutes.
It’s an easy way to make your Elf’s first appearance feel a little more magical without creating a complicated setup.
Get the Free Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letter
150 Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas
Once you have your arrival letter ready, you need to decide how your Elf is actually going to make his big entrance.
This is where you can have a little fun.
Your Elf could arrive with a small surprise, hide somewhere unexpected, bring a Christmas activity, or simply show up in a funny spot for the kids to discover in the morning.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, I’ve put together 150 Elf on the Shelf arrival ideas with plenty of options to choose from.
You’ll find simple ideas, funny setups, ideas involving gifts and food, and lots more for creating a memorable first morning.
See 150 Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas
300 Elf on the Shelf Names
Before your Elf can get into any Christmas mischief, there’s one important decision to make:
What’s his or her name?
Choosing an Elf name can be surprisingly difficult, especially when everyone in the family has a different idea.
Maybe your kids want something cute. Maybe they want something funny. Or maybe they come up with a completely random name that makes absolutely no sense to anyone except them.
I’ve rounded up 300 Elf on the Shelf names to help you find the perfect one.
You’ll find cute, funny, festive, classic, and unique ideas for all kinds of Elves.
See 300 Elf on the Shelf Names
120 Matching Elf on the Shelf Names
If your family has two Elves, you have another decision to make: finding two names that sound good together.
Matching names can be cute, funny, Christmas-themed, or completely silly.
I’ve put together 120 matching Elf on the Shelf names with combinations that make choosing names for two Elves much easier.
Whether you have two boy Elves, two girl Elves, or a boy and girl combination, you’ll love these cute elf duos such as Noodle & Doodle or Holly & Jolly.
See 120 Matching Elf on the Shelf Names
100 Naughty vs. Nice Elf on the Shelf Names
Maybe your Elf has a sweet personality.
Or maybe you’ve already decided he’s going to be the mischievous one.
Either way, choosing a name based on your Elf’s personality can make the tradition even more fun.
I’ve created a list of 100 naughty vs. nice Elf on the Shelf names, with ideas for both the sweet and mischievous Elves in your life.
See 100 Naughty vs. Nice Elf on the Shelf Names
Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Notes
Now comes the part that can get tricky:
What is your Elf going to do tonight?
You don’t need to create a huge scene every night to keep the tradition fun. Just a simple note from the Elf is all you need.
A funny message on the kitchen counter, a little surprise beside the Christmas tree, or a silly note tucked somewhere unexpected can turn a simple Elf setup into something your kids will love finding in the morning.
That’s why printable Elf notes are so handy.
I’ve created free printable Elf on the Shelf notes that you can print whenever you need a quick message from your Elf.
Or if you’re feeling extra tired, forget printing them and just write these sweet and funny notes on a piece of paper at the last minute!
Get the Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Notes
125 Christmas Jokes for Kids to Use in Elf Antics
Want to make your Elf setup funny without spending a lot of time putting it together?
Give your Elf a Christmas joke.
A silly joke can be the entire activity. Your Elf can hold the joke, write it on a cute letter board or simply sit somewhere funny with the joke waiting to be discovered.
I’ve rounded up 125 Christmas jokes for kids that are perfect for using in your Elf antics.
See 125 Christmas Jokes for Kids to Use in Elf Antics
This is one of those simple ideas that can save you when you want to do something fun but don’t have the time or energy for a big setup.
25 Elf on the Shelf Arrival Gifts Kids Can Open Early
Want to make your Elf’s arrival even more exciting?
Have your Elf bring a little surprise.
An early Christmas gift can make the first day of your Elf tradition feel extra special, and it doesn’t have to be expensive.
I’ve put together 25 Elf on the Shelf arrival gifts kids can open early, with ideas that are perfect for kicking off the Christmas season.
See 25 Elf on the Shelf Arrival Gifts Kids Can Open Early
This is a fun option if your kids are already counting down to Christmas and you want your Elf’s arrival to be a memorable one.
50 Last-Minute Elf on the Shelf Ideas
We’ve all had that moment.
The kids are finally asleep. You’re exhausted. You’re already thinking about tomorrow morning when suddenly you remember…
You forgot the Elf.
Don’t panic.
You don’t need to create an elaborate scene at 10 p.m. There are plenty of quick setups you can pull together with things you already have around the house.
I’ve put together 50 last-minute Elf on the Shelf ideas specifically for those nights when you need something fast.
See 50 Last-Minute Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Bookmark this one now. There’s a good chance you’ll need it at least once during December.
Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter
Eventually, the Christmas season comes to an end and it’s time for your Elf to head home.
After weeks of Christmas mischief, funny notes, and morning surprises, a goodbye letter is a sweet way to wrap up the tradition.
Your Elf can leave one final message for the kids before heading back to the North Pole until next Christmas.
I’ve created a free printable Elf on the Shelf goodbye letter that makes this part of the tradition easy, too.
Get the Free Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter
Print it, set it up with your Elf, and let the kids discover one final surprise before the season ends.
How To Make Elf on the Shelf Easier for Busy Moms
Here’s my biggest piece of advice when it comes to Elf on the Shelf:
Don’t make it harder than it needs to be.
You don’t need a Pinterest-worthy setup every night.
Some nights you can go all out if you genuinely enjoy doing that. Other nights can be as simple as moving your Elf to a new spot.
The easiest way to keep the tradition manageable is to have a few things ready before you need them.
Keep a few easy ideas in your back pocket
Think of setups that require almost no preparation.
Your Elf can sit in the Christmas tree, hide inside a stocking, hang out with a favorite toy, or appear at the breakfast table.
Have printable notes ready
A printable note can turn an incredibly simple setup into something that feels intentional.
Print a few ahead of time so they’re ready whenever you need them.
Save your favorite jokes
Christmas jokes are another easy way to give your Elf something to do without creating an epic scene.
Have a few bigger ideas for special nights
Save the more involved ideas for weekends or nights when you actually have the time and energy to create larger setups.
Have a backup plan
Eventually, there will be a night when you completely forget about the Elf.
Or you’re too tired.
Or you simply don’t feel like doing anything.
That’s when having your list of last-minute ideas can save you.
Or simply moving the elf from the kitchen to the couch is completely OK.
What matters is that your kids wake up excited to see where their Elf ended up next.
Final Thoughts
Just remember, the Elf on the Shelf tradition is supposed to add a little magic to December, NOT give you another reason to feel overwhelmed.
So bookmark this page, save the ideas you love, and use whatever works for your family.
Happy Holidays!
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