Grab a free printable Elf on the Shelf arrival letter to officially announce the arrival of Santa’s helper on December 1st! Great if you need easy elf arrival ideas, and you want to remind your kids about the rules of the popular tradition.
Listen, I know it’s only October, but let’s be real—if you’re not thinking about your Elf on the Shelf strategy now, you’ll be frantically Googling “easy elf ideas” at 11 PM on November 30th while your kids are finally asleep and you’re running on fumes and cold coffee.
Been there. Done that. Bought the tiny elf-sized props on Amazon Prime at midnight.
This year, let’s start strong with something that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum “WOW MOM IS SO FUN” points: a free printable Elf arrival letter! Because nothing says “magical Christmas tradition” quite like an official-looking letter from the North Pole that you definitely didn’t print 30 seconds before your kids woke up. *That’s why I created these official Santa’s Nice List certificates too!
These elf arrival letters are perfect for kicking off December with some festive fun—and giving yourself a little creative cushion before you have to come up with 24 more days of elf ideas. (No judgment if your elf stays in the same spot for three days straight. He’s “keeping watch.” Very diligent fellow.)
Creative Ways to Use Your Elf Arrival Letter
While I use the arrival letter to simply prop up next to my elf on the kitchen counter, it can be used in so many other ways! Here are a few ideas:
The “Special Delivery” Approach – Grab an Amazon box (you definitely have one lying around), stuff your elf inside with the arrival letter, and leave it on the doorstep. Ring the doorbell yourself and act completely surprised. “Who could that be?!” Oscar-worthy performance optional but encouraged.
The Classic First-Scene Setup – Keep it simple – have your elf sitting by the tree, fireplace, or anywhere visible with the letter propped up next to them. Sometimes the best magic is the kind that doesn’t require you to balance an elf from the ceiling fan at midnight.
The Treasure Hunt Start – Leave clues around the house leading to where your elf is hiding with their arrival letter. It buys you an extra 15 minutes of entertainment while the kids search, and you can finish your coffee. Everyone wins. You can even use these printable Christmas treasure hunt clues to set up your search!
The Mailbox Surprise – Tuck the letter and your elf into your mailbox the night before. In the morning, “check the mail” together as a family and discover your special North Pole delivery. You can even add festive stamps or stickers to an envelope to make it extra special.
The Breakfast Reveal – Set up your elf at the breakfast table with the arrival letter and a small treat like donuts or candy canes. Nothing says “welcome back” quite like sugar first thing in the morning (your kids will love it, and you can grab an extra donut for yourself!).
The Suitcase Arrival – If you have a small toy suitcase or bag, pack your elf inside with the letter on top. It looks like they just got back from their trip to the North Pole and are ready to move in for the month.
Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letter
Want to use these free printable elf arrival letters for your December 1st elf ideas? You can click the button below to download, and then choose which you like best – there are 4 different templates to choose from!
Download The Printable!
Click below to download your FREE Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letters!
And be sure to check out some of our other Elf on the Shelf ideas:
- Elf on the Shelf Movie Night Set-Up – Grab these free printable signs and surprise your kids with a Christmas movie night!
- 32 Free Printable Elf on the Shelf Notes – Great for last-minute scene ideas.
- Free Printable Elf Adoption Certificate – Getting a brand new elf for the first time? Make it official with this printable template!
And don’t forget to PIN this post to your board for Elf on the Shelf ideas! This is a GREAT way to support us!
