According to The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, the night before Christmas, an elf's job comes to an end. On December 24, most Scout Elves say farewell to their families and fly back to the North Pole following Santa's sleigh. This way, they can help him begin preparing for the year ahead.
A letter from the Elf will help them reflect on all the joy that they've had together. Every year on Christmas Eve, it's tradition to say goodbye to the Elf on the Shelf. At this time most Elves will say farewell to their families and fly back to the North Pole.
Some families opt to say “Goodbye, Elf on the Shelf” on Christmas Eve so the Elf can get back to the North Pole before Christmas Day. Other families prefer for Elf to be present on Christmas morning when everyone is opening gifts, then make their departure later that same evening.
Notes from your favorite elf are a great way to say goodbye. This holiday buddy hangs from a bathroom mirror with a special message: “Time for me to go!” This note reads, “I'm sad to go!! But of course I'll be back next year...”
There are just a few rules to remember! The most important—don't touch your Scout Elf, or they will lose their magic! Scout Elves can't talk, but they are great listeners. Little ones can share secrets and wishes with their elf as often as they'd like.
As the days inch nearer to Christmas, families across the country are taking part in "Elf on the Shelf" festivities, where a small elf figurine is placed around the home every day to watch if children have been naughty or nice. According to elf legend, the elf moves each night.
Every night during this time, elves fly to the North Pole to report to the big guy, ya know, Santa, about the kids' naughty or niceness, then return to a new spot each morning.
Elf brings Santa plate
The elf can leave behind a special Santa plate or tray to leave out with cookies, milk and carrots on Christmas Eve. If you don't have a Santa plate the elf can leave out an empty plate with a note reminding the kids to leave out milk and cookies before bed.
By age eight, kids begin to acknowledge the unlikeliness of one man travelling the world in a single night. The good news? If you started the tradition of Elf on the Shelf in your household, you can likely send the elf into early retirement around your child's eighth Christmas.
Elf on the Shelf usually leaves on Christmas Eve. While this can be sad for many children, the elves must go back to the North Pole to report to Santa and help with Christmas. Don't worry though, they will be back next year!
Give the Elf a Hug.
While normally this is not ok and the elf will lose his magic, Santa gives special permission on Christmas Eve for the kids to hug their elves good bye.
The night before Christmas, the elf flies off one last time to spend the year with Santa until reappearing next season. Every night, a parent hides the elf in a new place.
If your elf didn't move, they may be trying to communicate an important message to you! If your elf is accidentally touched, they may have just enough energy to get to the North Pole but not enough magic to create a whole new scene in your home.
The Elf on the Shelf website recommends your Elf arrive between November 24 through December 1. This is also known as Scout Elf Return week, a.k.a. the time when Santa's little helpers flee the North Pole and head out to the houses they'll be staying at until Christmas.
An Elf for Christmas is just for Christmas. On Christmas Eve you can pack away Elf in his box until next year. Or as you tell the children – Elves need to go back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve to join their friends in sweeping up the leftover wrapping paper and start the toymaking for next year!
Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas tradition that sees parents moving an Elf on the Shelf (also known as a "Scout Elf") around the house every day to keep an eye on children ahead of Santa's visit.
7. Children are not allowed to touch them. Elves are very fragile, and if they are touched by human children they lose their magic and ability to communicate with Santa.
Do I need one Elf per child or one per household? The choice is yours. We have included two Nice List Certificates and two Letters to Santa in each kit, as these items are personal. All the other items can be shared as a family.
Buddy. “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
It's a wonderful place, filled with wondrous creatures - except dogs. Oh, by the way, don't eat the yellow snow."
“I just like to smile, smiling's my favorite.”