Yes, an Elf on the Shelf can bring gifts, but it's optional and varies by family; some families have their elf bring small treats or activities daily (like hot cocoa bombs, crafts, or candy), while others only have the elf provide daily mischief and reporting to Santa, with gifts (like a Christmas Eve box) reserved for the end of the season or not at all. The tradition's core is mischief and behavior monitoring, not gift-giving, but many parents add small presents for extra fun.
It's completely unnecessary. And no, elf on a shelf normally doesn't leave gifts, the whole point of it (to me) is showing the kids to behave and not be naughty because the Elf will report back to Santa if they're not being good. It was never about gifts or candy ever.
Turn the Elf on the Shelf into your positive parenting helper
The three rules of the elves from the movie Elf, as lived by Buddy the Elf, are: 1. Treat every day like Christmas, 2. There's room for everyone on the nice list, and 3. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, promoting kindness and festive spirit.
What Day Does The Elf Say Goodbye? Traditionally your elf will normally leave your home on Christmas Eve (December 24th). This means that the final evening that your elf will move is December 23rd.
Elf on the shelf usually leaves on Christmas Eve (December 24th) so they can report back to Santa before Christmas morning. You can make this farewell special for kids with fun elf on the shelf ideas for a memorable goodbye until next year.
What should the Elf on the Shelf do on Christmas Eve? Once you've made it to December 24, it's time to say goodbye. After Santa leaves presents for kids on Christmas Eve, he takes all of his Elves back with him to the North Pole. But make sure everyone knows that your Elf will be back next season.
Write a note to your elf or Santa apologizing for touching your elf. This is the most effective way to help your Scout Elf get back in action quick!
Yes, parents can touch the Elf on the Shelf, especially in emergencies or to move them, but it's best done with tools like tongs or gloves to avoid direct skin contact to preserve their magic, as kids absolutely cannot touch them; parents can also help by cleaning up messes or placing the elf in safe spots, with rules varying by family, but the core idea is to keep the wonder alive.
Each Elf on the Shelf kit consists of the Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition book and a Scout Elf. The story goes that Santa's Scout Elves fly to the North Pole each night of December to report to Santa if children have been behaving (or misbehaving).
#1 “Elf on the Shelf” encourages children to be deceitful.
I've heard stories of thoughtful children putting the elf in a box, turning him around, or covering him up so he can't “see” them. Rather than inspiring good behavior, Elf on the Shelf inspires “how can I still do what I want and get away with it”.
Write a nice apology note to your Elf telling your Elf how very sorry you are for touching him. This is a great way for your Elf to regain Christmas magic. Sprinkle some cinnamon near the Elf. Cinnamon is like Elf vitamins and will help your elf get back to the North Pole and make a full recovery!
The research, which has not yet been peer reviewed, found that for most children, disbelief crept in gradually about the age of eight – although some three- or four-year-olds had convinced themselves that Santa wasn't real, while other children believed in him until they were 15 or 16.
Dress your Elf (and maybe a few stuffed friends) in pajamas, set up a tiny bedtime scene, and leave a sweet note saying goodbye until next Christmas. It's a simple, comforting way to wrap up the season and make the farewell feel fun instead of sad.
When Does The Elf on the Shelf End? December 24 is the Elf's last day in your home before he heads on his merry way.
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.
The three rules of the Code of the Elves from the movie Elf are: 1. Treat every day like Christmas; 2. There's room for everyone on the nice list; and 3. The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear, as explained in this Pop Culture and Theology article and this Facebook post.
Maybe it's his favorite spot, just like we all have a favorite spot at the dinner table or on the couch watching TV. Or he has a primo view to watch you from. He slept in…and didn't want you to see him move and ruin the magic. He's entitled to a rest—the North Pole is a hike.
There are just a few rules to remember!
No one is generally allowed to touch the Elf on the Shelf, especially children, because it causes them to lose their Christmas magic and ability to fly back to the North Pole to report to Santa; however, adults can carefully intervene with tongs or potholders in emergencies, and some families use cinnamon or an apology note to help restore magic if touched accidentally.
After reporting back to Santa at the North Pole each night, Scout Elves are found the next morning in a new spot in the home. Don't worry if your Elf doesn't move one night. There could be a whole bunch of reasons he stayed put. Scout Elves are adopted, not bought.
This has definitely become one of our favourite elf traditions. On Christmas Eve the kids can say goodbye to our elf with a big hug since he doesn't need his elf magic to go home that night.
Elves Return to the North Pole
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 place reminds me of Santa's workshop… except it smells like mushrooms and everyone looks like they want to hurt me.” “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”
Santa advises that no family member touch their Elf on the Shelf, but he does describe a few rare instances when an adult may use tongs or potholders to help an elf in an urgent situation.