Elf on the Shelf 101: All You Need To Know!

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All you need to know with our Elf on the Shelf 101.

The Elf on the Shelf was first introduced to me 4 years ago and instantly I loved the idea.

I am a bit mad about Christmas! My son was just 3 when we started the tradition and not only was it a hit for me he absolutely loved it.

In this Elf on the Shelf 101 guide, you are going to learn everything you could possibly need to know, and more!

We started with just one elf and we are currently on 4 elves plus Uncle Si plus a reindeer (Elf Pet)!

If you are not familiar with the Elf on the Shelf carry on reading.

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All You Need To Know About the Elf on the Shelf

At the North Pole, Santa has many helpers who make the Christmas season special! His scout elves (Elf on the Shelf) serve as his eyes and ears in homes around the world.

The Elf Pets play special roles in creating the Christmas spirit that will help Santa complete all of his Christmas duties.

They traditionally come on the 1st of December and watch the children’s behavior before flying back to Santa every night to report back. They reappear in the morning in a different place so the kids have to go and find them.

Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas

As I am a bit super crazy for Christmas we start the festivities around mid-November!! In fact, we have an Elf on the Shelf Halloween too!!

We create an elf construction site where there are workers getting the elf door ready! Below is last year’s effort! As you can see we take it fairly seriously!!

The Elf on the Shelf door then magically appears on the 1st of December with the arrival of the Elf for Christmas. Along with our Elf on the Shelf arrival letter!

Even More Elf Printables?

Naming The Elf on the Shelf

The first year your elf on the shelf arrives you ask your child to name the Elf.

We have a number of different elves and we also have a traditional Elf on the Shelf. These are the top 20 scout elves’ names.

Our son decided on Twinkletoes for his first main Elf. But we also have Sparkles, Snowflake and the others we have are not named! Thank God as it is so hard to keep on top of remembering all of the names of his invisible friends and teddy bears as it is!!!  

What is the North Pole Breakfast?

With the arrival of the Elf for Christmas, we have a big celebration called a North Pole Breakfast.

This is where the elf creates a magical little party with lots of naughty Christmassy food.

He also invites some of my son’s friends to join in the party! Before he started school we would do this on December 1st but now he is at school we do it on the nearest weekend before the 1st.

We use special straws and create lots of unhealthy and healthy treats.

Elf Behaviour Cards

With the arrival of the Elf for Christmas, we use Elf Report Cards. Each night we leave one of these notes by our son’s bedside saying whether the Elf thought he had been a good boy or a naughty boy that day.

This works really well. The thought of Santa thinking he had been naughty in the run-up to Christmas works really well! We believe that this daily reminder encourages great behavior and reminds him to be kind every day.

If he has been super good we might leave a little present from the elf such as a little chocolate bar. For even more suggestions check out our favorite Elf on the Shelf gifts.

Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Kids

Our Elf for Christmas is a good elf and as such isn’t naughty. We have lots of friends though who have a naughty elf who wraps the television up in wrapping paper, or rolls down the stairs in a toilet roll!!

On the last day of November while our son is sleeping we change his bedding to a Christmas duvet. We also change ours.

So when he gets into our bed in the morning his little face lights up as he knows it is time for the fun to begin!

Check out my latest post on the best elf on the shelf accessories, and the best free elf antics.

When does the Elf on the Shelf leave?

The elve’s last day is Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve night they fly off with Santa to help distribute the presents to all the boys and girls. 

On Christmas morning when the children wake up expecting to see the elves we always leave an Elf on the Shelf goodbye letter explaining why they have gone.

Check out our top 10 Elf on the Shelf leaving ideas for our favorite suggestions, plus a free Elf yearbook cover.

I think you will also enjoy:

• Have fun with our 8 free Elf coloring pages the kids can enjoy in December when their Elf on the Shelf comes to pay them a visit.
• Play an Elf on the Shelf inspired elf memory game.
• I think you are also going to love 20 of the best free Elf on the Shelf printables
• Also, why not grab one or two of these awesome Christmas books about elves to get kids in the Christmas spirit.
• For an easy day print out our 27 free Elf on the Shelf Notes and leave them for the kids to find in the morning with their Elf.
• Elf on the Shelf printable games and Elf on the Shelf hat printables are another great way to add fun to your Elf antics this year.
• Have fun this December with our free Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt, we have included 12 rhyming clues that will get the kids running all around the home!
• Have some educational fun with our free elf word search

I hope you have enjoyed my Elf on the Shelf 101 post, if you need any more information leave a comment below.

Last Updated on 17 April 2023 by homeschoolof1