Looking for Elf on the Shelf gift ideas your elf can bring from the North Pole? Small surprises are an easy way to make your elf’s arrival or December visits feel extra special.
After more than a decade of Elf visits, we’ve tried everything from Christmas books and pajamas to games, treats, and cuddly Elf Pets. I’ve rounded up our favorite gifts from the Elf on the Shelf, including inexpensive ideas for arrival day and bigger surprises for later in December.
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Best Gifts From the Elf on the Shelf
One of my favorite parts of the Elf tradition is finding small ways to surprise the kids, especially on those mornings when I need a quick win.
These Elf on the Shelf gifts have helped keep things fun and fresh each year, whether it’s their first visit or their tenth.
From silly surprises to cozy bedtime treats, here are some gift ideas that have made our Elf visits more magical. And if your elf is just arriving, don’t miss our free printable arrival letters to help kick off the fun.
Elf on the Shelf Arrival Gifts
An arrival gift is a fun way to make your elf’s first appearance of the season feel extra special. These Elf on the Shelf arrival gifts include cuddly Elf Pets, Christmas pajamas, treats, and other surprises from the North Pole.
Elf Pets A Reindeer Tradition
When our Elf brought the Elf Pet reindeer, it instantly became part of the family. My son named it “Jingles” and insisted it sleep on his pillow every night. It’s one of the few elf-related things kids can snuggle, which makes it feel extra special. If your child loves the idea of hugging the magic, this is the perfect pick.
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Matching Family Pajamas
This was an Elf idea I wasn’t sure would land, but now it’s a full tradition. One morning, we woke up to a pile of pajamas and a note saying, “Even Santa wears matching jammies.” We all put them on for movie night, and honestly, the photos are still some of my favorites.
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The Elf on the Shelf Boy Plushee Pal
Our Elf brought this soft Plushee Pal during a particularly rough week, and it honestly changed the tone of the whole season. My son was thrilled to finally have something he could carry and cuddle without “breaking the magic.” It made the Elf feel more like a friend than just a decoration.
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Elf Kisses Bag Topper
This one is always a hit in our house. The first time our Elf left a bag of Hershey’s Kisses with this printable poem, my son carried it around all day like a treasure. It’s such a quick and easy idea, but it feels so thoughtful, especially when you need something sweet but low-effort on a busy morning.
Free Printable
Letters to Santa
This kit is pure magic. The shrinking paper makes it feel like real North Pole tech, and the look on my son’s face the first time his letter turned into an ornament was unforgettable. We hang it on the tree each year now, and it’s become one of our favorite December traditions. I recommend using it early in the month so Santa has time to “get the message.”
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Small Gifts From the Elf
Gifts from the elf don’t need to be big or expensive. These small Elf gifts are easy surprises to leave beside your elf throughout December.
World’s Smallest The Elf On The Shelf
This tiny version is one of the funniest elf accessories we’ve ever had. Our son called it “Mini Max” and loved hiding it in odd places, inside cereal boxes, on the dog’s tail, anywhere. It turned into a daily hide-and-seek game that kept us all laughing. Totally unnecessary, and absolutely worth it.
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Elf Pets Minis
These tiny collectible figures make an easy little gift for your Elf to leave behind. Each mystery pack contains a miniature character from the Elf on the Shelf or Elf Pets collection, so kids won't know which one they've received until they open it.
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The Elf on the Shelf: Stocking Stuffer Sticker Book
This Elf on the Shelf sticker book is an easy little surprise for your elf to leave behind. It has more than 200 stickers, with festive North Pole scenes and activities kids can decorate and complete throughout December.
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Custom Elf Return Mug
This one was more for me than my son, a personalized mug from the Elf with a cheeky little message. It shows up every year now, and it’s part of my morning coffee routine through December. One of those quiet little touches that makes the tradition feel special for grown-ups too.
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Elf Books and Activities
Books and activities make easy gifts from the Elf, especially when you want something kids can enjoy throughout December. These include Christmas stories, activity books, and other screen-free ideas.
Christmas Books About Elves
We always kick off the season with a stack of holiday books, and these elf-themed ones are perfect for cozy December nights. My son’s favorite changes every year, but there’s something magical about curling up by the tree and reading about other mischievous elves on wild adventures. They make great gifts from the Elf too, especially if you leave one out with a little note or bookmark from the North Pole.
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The Elf on The Shelf Night Before Christmas Book
We save this one for Christmas Eve every year. It’s become part of our wind-down routine, hot cocoa, jammies, and this sweet story. It’s simple and familiar, which honestly feels like a comfort after a full month of elf antics and holiday chaos. A perfect way to wrap things up before the big day.
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How to Catch an Elf
Not official Elf on the Shelf merch, but still a big hit. This book had my son giggling nonstop, especially the year he tried to set a “trap” with cookie crumbs and Legos after reading it. It’s playful, silly, and keeps the elf energy going strong without needing extra setup.
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The Elf on the Shelf Search and Find
This ones perfect for quiet mornings when I’m still half asleep with coffee. My son loves spotting the Elf in all the funny scenes and it somehow keeps him entertained long enough for me to wake up properly. Its a calm screen free activity that fits perfectly into those slower December moments.
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Christmas Fun Mad Libs
Mad Libs always bring out the giggles in our house, especially with holiday themes. The best part? It sneakily works in grammar practice without feeling like schoolwork. One year, my son’s elf wore a tutu and hid in the mashed potatoes, thanks to a particularly ridiculous Mad Lib round.Check out our free Elf-themed Mad Libs printable for even more holiday fun.
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Elf-Themed Games and Gifts
For a bigger surprise, these Elf-themed games and gifts are fun choices for family time during the Christmas season. They also work well as gifts from the Elf for weekends and holiday break.
Monopoly Elf
Our Elf brought this festive Monopoly version one year with a note that said, “Let’s see who really belongs on the Nice List.” It’s become a holiday break favorite, same classic gameplay but with Elf-themed fun that makes it feel fresh. It’s also one of the few things we all genuinely enjoy playing together (even when someone ends up flipping the board).This is one of our favorite Christmas board games.
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Santa Cookie Elf Candy Snowman Christmas Edition Holiday Card Game
This fast, silly card game has become one of our go-to’s during the holidays. The rules are easy enough that everyone can jump in, and it always ends with someone laughing so hard they can’t keep up. We first played it on Christmas Eve, and now it’s a standing family tradition.
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Funko Elf – Snowball Showdown Card Game
This fast-paced little card game is now a snow-day staple in our house. My son loves anything competitive, and this one hits the sweet spot between silly and strategic. It also doesn’t take forever to play, which makes it great for after school or in between holiday chaos.
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Elf on the Shelf Bedding
This was one of our elf’s bigger surprises, and it completely floored my son. He walked into his room and saw a full Elf-themed bed setup, and just about lost it. It made the whole room feel magical for the rest of December, and bedtime was way less of a struggle that night.
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These Elf on the Shelf gift ideas are just what you need to keep your elf’s visit fun and exciting all month long.
Last Updated on 16 September 2026 by Clare Brown
