14 Fun Christmas Eve Elf on the Shelf Ideas (2024)

FAQs

What should the elf do on Christmas Eve? ›

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.

The Elf Must Not Be Touched

Considered the most important rule, the Scout Elf must never be touched (of course, apart from when the parents move them around) as that will cause them to lose their magical powers. In some cases, they could also disappear when touched, such as when a dog might get a hold of them.

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. Parents: read on to learn about special, few and far between cases where emergency help will be required.

Christmas Eve Surprise

Your elf loves to pack a Christmas Eve box with goodies like PJs, candy, games or toys.

The rule in the storybook is that the Elf is not to be touched or he'd lose his magic. Of course, that's a rule for the child. The parent can reposition the toy anytime they want to. It's like many rather common and harmless little traditions in some families, like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy.

Put candy out. Santa and the Scout Elves can't resist sweets, and the more chocolates, cookies and pastries you have on hand, the more enticing your invitation may be! You'll definitely win points with Santa, who knows his elves can bring him sweets when they fly to the North Pole.

Controversies of the Elf on the Shelf

Some say that it inadvertently teaches children that their behavior should be governed by potential rewards (i.e., if you behave well, you'll get more gifts on Christmas).

According to the official "Elf on the Shelf" website, "Christmas magic is very fragile, and if scout elves are touched they may lose their magic." It doesn't specify that this only applies to kids, so we're guessing this applies to any humans.

Is there an age limit for Elf on the Shelf? ›

The Elf on the Shelf tradition can be started at any age, but most parents recommend waiting until your child is between the ages of 2 and 3. They claim it's the perfect sweet spot for children to appreciate and understand the elves' magic while establishing this family tradition at a young age.

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.

And the first question after that, in the “People also ask” section, is: “Is Santa real or is it your parents?” The top response comes from the motherhood website Her View From Home. “The answer is no. We are not Santa. There is no one, single Santa.

If you think, judging by that white beard and hair, Kris Kringle might be around 70 or 80, the truth is he's far, far older. According to History.com, the monk who over time would evolve into Santa Claus was born in what is now modern-day Turkey in 280 A.D., making him a whopping 1,741 years old!

Everyone knows that Santa's Scout Elves return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, but what about their furry counterparts, the Elf Pets®? Luckily, these cuddly helpers have different missions for Santa—ones that allow them to stay with you all year!

The Elf's job is to report back on the kids' behavior every day leading up to December 25, so he should hitch a ride back to the North Pole with Santa after he's done setting out Christmas presents under the tree on Christmas Eve night.

One of the best things about the Elf on the Shelf tradition is that there are no concrete rules (besides moving the little scout every night, of course). That means your family's elf can arrive and leave on whatever day you choose. Generally, Santa's scout bids farewell on Christmas Eve.

They might even want to make a Christmas list for their Elf to take back to the North Pole. You already know this one, but remember: Scout Elves should return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve so they can help jolly ol' Saint Nicholas prepare for next December 25.

The Elf on the Shelf^® can arrive anytime during the holidays, but typically he or she will arrive at the beginning of your family's holiday celebrations and return to the North Pole with Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.