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Elf on the Shelf Letter

Free editable Elf on the Shelf letter template that you can customize and personalize. Edit and download with Word, Google Docs or our free online editor.

Elf on the shelf letter

Free customizable
MS word or Google Docs

“Elf on the Shelf” is a popular holiday tradition where an elf figurine is placed in various creative and unexpected locations around the house each day leading up to Christmas. The elf is believed to be sent by Santa Claus to keep an eye on children’s behavior and report back to him each night.

Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letter

Elf on the Shelf Welcome Letter

[For the first arrival to your home]

This printable Elf on the Shelf welcome letter will welcome your new elf to your home for the first time.

The elf letter template will announce the arrival of your Elf. Use it to let your kids know how your elf expects them to behave.

“Dear      ,

It’s me here from the North Pole. I am happy to inform you that I will be spending the next few weeks at your house.

Santa sent me here to keep an eye on everything you do or say to make sure you are obedient and kind. I will then report everything back and let Santa know how you are doing.

Remember, the number one rule is that you cannot touch me because it makes my magic flee.

I am ready and looking forward to sneaking on you every day.

Love, Elf.”

OR

“Dear    ,

I am Santa’s little helper. As you prepare to kick start your holiday season, Santa has sent me an assignment to visit your home.

I watch and listen on behalf of Santa. I will leave every night and fly to the North Pole to tell Santa about your behavior.

Do you think what I see or hear will allow you to have gifts, or you will end up with cold coal?

During the day, I stay in my hiding place. Please do not touch me because I’ll lose my magic.

Love, Elf”

If there is something that you would like to work on such as bad behavior or sibling rivalry you can relate to it in your letter. For example, use the template above to create an Elf on the Shelf introduction letter where your elf explains that if your kids fight he will have to report back to Santa.

elf on the shelf welcome letter

Elf letter

25 Different Borders

Edit the Text Online

Many Different Elves

(Watch the video to see how to create the letter)

Edit Online

Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letter PDF – If you want to save your letter in a PDF format, open the MS Word version or the Google Docs version and save it as a PDF file.


Elf on the Shelf Return Letter

[When your elf comes back to your home]

This printable Elf on the Shelf welcome back letter will welcome your elf back to your home.

“Dear    ,

I am excited that Santa assigned me to be back in your home!

As you prepare to kick start your holiday season, I will help Santa again this year until Christmas approaches.

As you know, I watch and listen on behalf of Santa. I will leave every night and fly to the North Pole to tell Santa about your behavior.

Do you think what I see or hear will allow you to have gifts, or you will end up with cold coal?

Don’t forget that you cannot touch me because I’ll lose my magic.

Love, Elf”

Elf on the Shelf I’m Back Letter

This printable Elf on the Shelf letter template can also be used to start new traditions. For example, if your kids have many toys that they don’t use, your elf can ask them to leave one out for them every day to donate to kids in need. If your kids misbehaved the previous time your elf visited he can tell them that this time he brought a camera with him to catch bad behavior and to report it to Santa.

elf on the shelf Im back letter

25 Different Borders

Edit the Text Online

Many Different Elves

(Watch the video to see how to create the letter)

Edit Online


Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter

Free printable Elf on the Shelf goodbye letter to give to your kids when elf leaves.

There are two formats available: The following free printable Elf on the Shelf goodbye letter is available in PDF format or as an image. You can change the border and the elf image. You can edit the text and add more text. If you want to write a longer letter then select the free printable Elf on the Shelf goodbye letter in Word format and make any changes you want.

goodbye elf letter

25 Different Borders

Edit the Text Online

Many Different Elves

(Watch the video to see how to create the letter)

Edit Online

Here are two samples:

Sample Note 1

“Dear       ,

I had so much fun living in your house. You are a happy family, and living with you was fun. If there are any messes I may have caused, it’s because the fun was too much.

As much as I would like to stay longer in your house, it is not possible. I just hope you still remember why I visited your house and the true meaning of Christmas. This is the best time to embrace and show love to your family and friends. It leaves you with everlasting memories.

When you sleep tonight, you will experience some Christmas magic, and I will fly back to the North Pole. I will also be giving Santa my report before he sets off to distribute gifts. You will not find me in your home, but your gifts will be under the tree.

After reading this, you hug and bid me goodbye, and I hope to see you again next year. Bye for now.

Elfie.”

Sample Note 2

“My time to leave has come, and I am not happy to say goodbye. Living with you was so much fun, and I hope you won’t cry. I am excited and look forward to seeing you again next when you are taller than now.

I hope you will remain obedient and kind to everyone even when Christmas passes. Show love and be friendly to others. Follow your heart and dreams throughout the year. Listen to your teachers and parents and follow their guidance. Though I will be away, I will be thinking and watching over you.

Lots of Love from Elf”

You can either write a goodbye letter to the entire family or a personalized letter to each child. If your child worked on improving a specific behavior then you can congratulate him for that. For example, if she ate more vegetables then write how elf was happy to see her do that. If he fought less with his sibling write how impressed elf was. Positive praise can inspire behavior change.

See more Elf on the Shelf goodbye ideas 


Elf on the Shelf Notes

Here are some free printable notes to leave with Elf on the Shelf. The elf notes are customizable with our free online note maker. However, if you want to write a longer letter then the Word documents above might be more convenient to edit.

Elf on the shelf notes
four elf notes

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If you have any Elf on the Shelf note ideas you would like us to add to the collection then please leave a comment below.

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Photo of NicoleMy name is Nicole and I created this website to share the tools that keep me organized and productive and help me reach my goals. I hope that you will find them helpful too.

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