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    Home » Christmas » Elf on the Shelf Letter: Printable Arrival & Goodbye Letters

    Elf on the Shelf Letter: Printable Arrival & Goodbye Letters

    Holidays

    This post may contain affiliate links view our disclosure

    It’s that time again! Time for your family’s friendly elf to arrive! Some choose to let him or her arrive on Thanksgiving night, while others wait until the first week of December. Generally, the elf comes during the night after you put your Christmas tree (which would be crazy at our house since that’s usually mid-November!) No matter when he or she arrives having an Elf on the Shelf Letter is a great way to welcome your holiday friend!

    Pair our letters with the Elf on the Shelf book before bedtime and you’re ready for another December of elf antics!

    It’s always important to read the book because it helps the kids remember the magic so they don’t try to touch or move your elf during the holiday season.

    Printable Elf on the Shelf Letter

    ELF ON THE SHELF ARRIVAL LETTER

    One of the most fun ways you can say hello to your elf friend at the start of each holiday season is with a welcome letter. This comes along with Snowflake, Kringle or whatever name you have chosen for your friend. If you need help choosing a name this year, we can help with tons of Elf on the Shelf names and a generator!

    How does it work?

    The letter basically says hey from the elf and Santa Claus, and may also come with a small gift for your children – think holiday books, a Christmas DVD or some sweet treats for them to enjoy!

    When should you use an Elf on the Shelf arrival letter?

    If this is your family’s first year with a visiting elf, you may want to include a small note that introduces the new friend to your kids. This can be as quick and fun or more drawn-out as you want it.

    Fun things to include in an Elf on the Shelf introduction letter would be the name of your elf (assuming your child didn’t name it), his interests, a mention of his best friend at the North Pole, and a quick reminder that he will be reporting your children’s behavior to Santa.

    What should you include in your Elf on the Shelf welcome letter?

    If your kids have already met your elf, you can do more of a welcome letter with him rather than a full intro.

    Similar to the introduction letter that your elf may bring on the first visit, the welcome letter offers a big hello to your children after a year of not seeing their friend. The elf may remind them of his name, the importance of not touching him, and to be good to stay on Santa’s nice list.

    If you are stumped on what to write in your Elf on the Shelf letter, or simply pressed for time, download the printable arrival letter at this end of this post!

    Elf on the Shelf arrival in the freezer

    More Elf on the Shelf Welcome Letter Tips

    • Have your elf suggest the kids write a letter to Santa asking for their 3-4 most wished for items.
    • Include a small ornament kit so your kids can have fun creating a new piece for the Christmas tree.
    • Add a fun treat to the letter to get your kids more excited about the Elf on the Shelf’s arrival! Think hot cocoa, movie, or candy!

    Don’t Forget the Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter!

    It’s also a neat idea to have your elf bid farewell on paper when Christmas Eve arrives. Traditionally, your elf will fly back to the North Pole or hitch a ride when Santa Claus comes to drop off presents and grab the cookies and milk you leave out.

    If your children tend to be emotional with goodbyes, an elf on the shelf return letter can be a great way to help them cope with missing their little buddy once Christmas Day comes.

    Printable Elf on the Shelf Letter

    DOWNLOAD OUR FREE PRINTABLE ELF ON THE SHELF LETTER FOR ARRIVAL & GOODBYE!

    I know that creativity can be running thin with the busy holidays. If you want to include a letter with your elf’s arrival or return, you can download and print the cute letters below to make it easier! Or you can just use one as an Elf on the Shelf arrival letter template to help you create your own!

    Click below to download your printable Elf on the Shelf letters:

    • Welcome Letter
    • Goodbye Letter

    Elf on the Shelf Welcome Letters to Print

    UPDATED FOR 2020:

    I’ve created new versions of both the Elf Letter and the Goodbye Letter that I’m using with my kids and I wanted to making them available to everyone. I’ve got the Elf on the Shelf Welcome Letter photographed and the Goodbye Letter is in the same theme.

    • Hello/I’m Back Welcome Letter (two versions)
    • Goodbye Letter

    MORE ELF ON THE SHELF IDEAS

    • Printable Elf on the Shelf Rules
    • 50+ Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas
    • Fun & Festive Elf on the Shelf Accessories
    • Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Arrival
    • A Week of Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas
    • Reasons Why Your Elf Didn’t Move

    Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Letters

    Kick off your holiday traditions with a free printable Elf on the Shelf letter to kids! Whether you need an arrival letter, welcome back letter, or a goodbye letter, these are some easy ideas to try!

     

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    Filed Under: Holidays Tagged With: Christmas, elf on the shelf ideas

    Comments

    1. Margaret Smith says

      December 1, 2018 at 9:06 pm

      I love the ideas of the letters. Our “Elf” appears on December 1st. He usually just appears. We move him throughout the house. Each day he’s somewhere different. He sometimes leaves a little something for the kids, like candy or a small toy. Christmas Eve, he goes to his home…right before Santa arrives.

      Reply
    2. Ellie Wright says

      December 1, 2018 at 9:37 pm

      Our elf, Bob arrives every Thanksgiving. He always has a handwritten letter for the kids filled with all of his adventures over the past year.

      Reply
    3. Gail Crawford says

      December 1, 2018 at 10:15 pm

      They will make their arrival on a covered wagon filled with toys and leave shortly after.

      Reply
    4. Brittany says

      December 1, 2018 at 11:31 pm

      Our Elf makes an appearance the day after Christmas. His name is Poppy. He has done some pretty funny things.

      Reply
      • Brittany says

        December 1, 2018 at 11:32 pm

        I meant to pt the day after Thanksgiving. wow

        Reply
    5. heather s says

      December 2, 2018 at 12:43 am

      I don’t have an elf but my friend does. We love to hide the elf for her kids to find.

      Reply
    6. shelly peterson says

      December 2, 2018 at 3:44 am

      I dont have an Elf on the shelf but my daughter does for my grandson. I think they bring him out the first of December.

      Reply
    7. Serge B says

      December 2, 2018 at 8:06 am

      He departs from the top of the Christmas tree December 26th

      Reply
    8. Kristyn Martin says

      December 2, 2018 at 8:19 am

      Our elf, Charlie, returns each year on the night that we put our Christmas tree up.

      Reply
    9. mami2jcn says

      December 2, 2018 at 8:24 am

      I’ve actually never done elf on the shelf. I need to research it to find out more.

      Reply
    10. kathy Persons says

      December 2, 2018 at 10:14 am

      My daughter does it in her classroom based on good deeds for the day~ Starting on monday

      Reply
    11. Jessica To says

      December 2, 2018 at 3:22 pm

      I have never done the elf but my co-worker has. I love to hear how mischievous he is and the different places he appears.

      Reply
    12. shelly dixon says

      December 2, 2018 at 5:01 pm

      We don’t have an elf but our friend does. She posts all about its antics.

      Reply
    13. Barbara Montag says

      December 2, 2018 at 8:19 pm

      The kids are all grown so we no longer have Elf on the Shelf.
      I do miss this.
      thank you

      Reply
    14. Kenneth Helmick says

      December 2, 2018 at 8:22 pm

      We scour the internet looking for new ideas for hiding places for our elf and pick the best ones.

      Reply
    15. Anne Higgins says

      December 2, 2018 at 10:11 pm

      Our elf is found in odd spots like the cereal box to holding the remote. As for how they appear, it has varied from sitting on the towel rack, to sitting in a bowl. No telling where they will appear next.

      Reply
    16. James Robert says

      December 3, 2018 at 4:57 am

      Our Elf comes out at the beginning of December and is always doing crazy things. Right now, I found him in an animated Christmas decoration helping Santa in his sleigh as if they’re best buddies.

      Reply
    17. Adrienne Gordon says

      December 3, 2018 at 5:39 am

      Our Elf comes out Dec 1st and starts on our fireplace.

      Reply
    18. Amanda L. says

      December 3, 2018 at 7:17 am

      Ours comes at the beginning of December and arrives with a letter.

      Reply
    19. April says

      December 3, 2018 at 8:33 am

      Our elf comes out on December 1st, in all his holiday gear, and hidden in the Christmas tree!

      Reply
    20. beth shepherd says

      December 3, 2018 at 12:47 pm

      Larry started out this year on Black Friday chubbin on ice cream in the freezer

      Reply
    21. Cynthia C says

      December 3, 2018 at 3:14 pm

      My niece does Elf on the Shelf with her kids. I’m not sure how he comes and goes, but I’ve seen him around the house.

      Reply
    22. Elena says

      December 3, 2018 at 6:01 pm

      Our elf comes before Christmas and puts stuff in our Christmas stockings

      Reply
    23. Antoinette M says

      December 6, 2018 at 10:07 am

      We don’t have the tradition of Elf on a Shelf. I’ve heard it’s great fun for the kids (and parents) :)!

      Reply
    24. Ashley c says

      December 8, 2018 at 6:49 am

      Our elf arrives December 1 and brings a small gift

      Reply
    25. Tabathia B says

      December 8, 2018 at 10:45 pm

      We don’t have an elf on the shelf so we have no tradition for it.

      Reply
    26. Latanya says

      December 10, 2018 at 5:47 am

      We do not do elf on the shelf, but I like looking on social media for all of the cool places and things that he does

      Reply
    27. Elle says

      December 10, 2018 at 12:56 pm

      We don’t really do an elf on a shelf or anything like that.

      Reply
    28. Terry says

      December 10, 2018 at 8:13 pm

      I have never done an Elf on the Shelf as by the time I heard about it, my children were raised and parents of their own. My grandkids are all teenagers so I am a bit late in doing the Elf on the Shelf with them, as well. Sounds like quite a bit of fun to be had.

      Reply
    29. Linda says

      December 10, 2018 at 10:16 pm

      This concept/tradition is very new to me..never heard of it before.

      Reply
    30. Sheila F says

      December 12, 2018 at 5:20 pm

      We have a yard elf. Anyway to get the kids outside. Occasionally he leaves a note that he is at a neighbors. .That way our retired neighbors get to join in🌱

      Reply
    31. Sheila F says

      December 12, 2018 at 5:28 pm

      We have a yard elf. Anyway to get the kids outside. Occasionally he leaves a note that he is at a neighbors. .That way our retired neighbors get to join in. We start Dec 1🌱

      Reply
    32. Natalie says

      December 13, 2018 at 6:43 am

      Our Elf makes an appearance on our dining room lights and on the mantle each morning leading up to Christmas.

      Reply
    33. Mary Gardner says

      December 13, 2018 at 7:38 am

      Our Elf comes out the day after Thanksgiving and makes his appearance in different places each year. This year he was hanging from the chandelier.

      Reply
    34. Lisa V. says

      December 14, 2018 at 5:02 pm

      My granddaughter just got one this year. My daughter just had him show up one day and explained why he is here. He just shows up at different places in the house every morning.

      Reply
    35. Susan Smith says

      December 15, 2018 at 3:45 pm

      Our Elf, returns each year on the night that we put our Christmas tree up and leaves when we take down our tree.

      Reply
    36. Daniel M says

      December 16, 2018 at 2:26 pm

      don’t have an elf

      Reply
    37. Danielle Wood says

      December 16, 2018 at 2:39 pm

      My elf makes her arrival in the 1st of December and usually brings a note and a treat for the kids

      Reply
    38. Sarah L says

      December 17, 2018 at 12:37 am

      Never had Elf on the Shelf.
      Thanks for the contest.

      Reply
    39. kerry paul says

      December 17, 2018 at 5:11 am

      The elf just shows up. He knows when it is the time… or season.

      Reply
    40. Jammie Morey says

      December 17, 2018 at 9:48 am

      My daughter is to old for the elf on the shelf, but I did think about getting one just for fun!

      Reply
    41. kathy m says

      December 17, 2018 at 11:49 am

      Our Elf appears when the tree goes up, gets hidden everyday in a new place, sometimes outside after we have had snow so everyone gets to enjoy him. He retires on Christmas morning, hidden in the tree!

      Reply
    42. Brenda Elsner says

      December 17, 2018 at 5:00 pm

      Our elf appears on December 1 usually with a couple of snacks. He just kinda disappears on Christmas Day.

      Reply
    43. Amy delong says

      December 17, 2018 at 6:21 pm

      We don’t use the elf ….

      Reply
    44. Hesper Fry says

      December 17, 2018 at 7:03 pm

      I haven’t had an Elf on the Shelf, but it sounds like a fun tradition to do with my kids.

      Reply
    45. AEKZ2 says

      December 17, 2018 at 7:57 pm

      Our elf arrives the day after Thanksgiving with a note attached. She leaves Christmas eve, and a note saying goodbye is left for the kiddies on Christmas morning.

      Reply
    46. Trisha McKee says

      December 17, 2018 at 8:49 pm

      I don’t have any little kids. My daughter is a teenager. So he arrives when we get the boxes of decorations down. Usually my daughter sneaks off with him and the next day he is found in his new hiding place. We take turns putting him in his new spot each day. We try to be more creative each time.

      Reply
    47. dana germain says

      December 17, 2018 at 8:52 pm

      Our elf Mary arrives the day after thanksgiving and brings a book for the children to read

      Reply
    48. BRIAN E. says

      December 17, 2018 at 9:20 pm

      This year the Elf made his initial appearance, at breakfast, Saturday December 1st. He was hiding inside an empty box of cereal at the table.

      Reply
    49. Janine Hwang says

      December 17, 2018 at 9:50 pm

      We don’t have an Elf on the shelf yet

      Reply

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