15 Best Elf on the Shelf Gifts From the North Pole

After more than a decade of Elf visits, I’ve learned that the best Elf on the Shelf gifts aren’t always the biggest, they’re the ones that spark smiles before breakfast.

Some years our Elf brings books, sometimes it’s something silly like matching pajamas or a tiny game we can all play together.

These little surprises have become part of our December rhythm, adding just the right dose of magic when the mornings start to feel rushed.

If you’re looking for simple, thoughtful gifts your Elf can leave behind, here are some of our tried-and-true favorites.

Collage of Elf on the Shelf gift ideas including books, plush toys, pajamas, games, and holiday printables.

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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.

Collage of six Christmas elf book covers including The Elf on the Shelf’s Night Before Christmas, How to Catch an Elf, Letters to Santa, The Littlest Elf, There’s an Elf in Your Book, and Elfie the Elf.

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.

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

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.

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."

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.

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.

The Elf on the Shelf Present Pile Up

This game is pure elf energy, fast-paced, a little silly, and easy enough for younger kids to jump into without frustration. Our Elf once left this game midweek with a note saying we needed “more giggles, less stress.” It totally worked. Great for a quick round after dinner when everyone’s wiped.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

LEGO Elf Club House

The year our Elf brought this, we ended up spending an entire Saturday building it together, and it was honestly one of my favorite days that December. It’s detailed, festive, and challenging enough to need teamwork. My son still sets it up every year on his bookshelf as part of our decorations.

Check out all of our favorite Christmas gifts for Lego lovers.

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.

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.

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 29 July 2025 by Clare Brown

Best Gifts From the Elf on the Shelf

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