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Writing

Elf on the Shelf Notes and Letters

Type your child's name and your elf's name, then tap for a fresh note from the elf.

Child's Name Elf's Name

A note from your elf

Dear friend, I got a little bored last night, so I read all of your bedtime books. I told Santa all about how gentle you were with the pets, and he did a little happy dance. Hugs and sprinkles, Your Elf

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Type your child's name and your elf's name, tap, and you get a free elf on the shelf note written as a proper little letter: "Dear Mia and Leo" at the top, your elf's sign-off at the bottom. Tap again for a new one. Your browser remembers both names, so the 6am "I forgot the elf" scramble takes about ten seconds.

Every note can be copied, edited and printed. Below are examples of each kind of note, what to put in them, and the questions parents ask most.

Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letter

The arrival letter sets up the whole season, so it does more work than the daily notes. A good one says hello by name, explains the rules in a line or two (the elf flies to the North Pole every night to report to Santa, lands somewhere new every morning, and must not be touched), and ends on something to look forward to. Here is one the generator wrote:

Dear Mia and Leo,
Surprise! I made it! The flight from the North Pole was long and snowy, but I found your house right away. You can tell me anything and I will pass it on to Santa. Just please do not touch me, because my Christmas magic is very delicate. I cannot wait to see what we get up to this year!
Love,
Jingle

Open the elf arrival letter generator to get only arrival letters.

Welcome Back Letter for a Returning Elf

If your elf has visited before, the first note should feel like a reunion, not an introduction. Plenty of the arrival letters open with "I'm back!" and remind the kids of the rules without explaining everything from scratch:

Psst, Mia and Leo!
Guess who's back? Me! I've been counting down the days until I could see you again. Remember the one big rule: you can talk to me as much as you like, but please do not touch me, or my magic might fade. Get ready for some fun. I have lots of ideas!
Love,
Jingle

Funny Daily Elf Notes

Daily notes are short: one line about the mischief the elf got up to overnight, or what Santa heard about yesterday, then a sign-off. They work best next to a setup that matches, so the kids can see the proof. A few the generator has written:

"I got a little bored last night, so I went fishing in the kitchen sink. Can you guess what I will do tonight?"
"Shhh, do not tell Santa, but last night I made snow angels in the flour."
"Oops! After everyone went to bed, I had a tea party with your stuffed animals."
"I told Santa all about how you made your bed all by yourself, and he did a little happy dance."

Get a fresh one every night from the daily elf notes page, and pick tonight's setup from our Elf on the Shelf ideas.

Note for When Someone Touched the Elf

Sooner or later someone touches the elf, usually a little brother or the dog. The fix is a note the next morning saying the magic slipped and has been put right, so nobody is scared or in trouble:

Dear Mia and Leo,
Oh no! Someone touched me yesterday, and a little of my magic slipped away. Luckily, Santa sent a fresh batch of magic last night, so I am all fixed! Thank you for being honest about what happened. Santa loves it when kids tell the truth.
Your friend,
Jingle

More on the someone touched the elf page.

When the Elf Did Not Move

Every parent forgets at least once. A one-line excuse from the North Pole turns it into part of the story: "I did not move last night because the reindeer needed help practicing for Christmas Eve. See you somewhere new in the morning!" Get another excuse on the elf did not move page.

Elf Kindness Challenges

Some nights the elf can set a mission instead of making a mess: "Today's kindness challenge: draw a picture for a neighbor. I will tell Santa all about it tonight!" The kindness notes page has small, free challenges a child can do in a day.

Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter

The goodbye letter is usually left on Christmas Eve, so the elf "rides home" with Santa that night. Keep it warm rather than sad: thank the kids, say you will miss them, and promise to come back next year.

Good morning, Mia and Leo!
Tonight I ride back to the North Pole with Santa. Thank you for making me laugh every single day. Be good for your family, and I will see you next Christmas!
Hugs and sprinkles,
Jingle

Open the elf goodbye letter page for only goodbye letters.

How to Edit and Print Your Elf Notes

Names: type them in the boxes above the note. For two or more kids, type them together, like "Mia and Leo".
Edit any word: tap Copy and paste the note into Word, Google Docs or your phone's notes, then change whatever you like.
Print: tap Download to save the note as a card, then print it like a photo. It fits on a normal sheet of paper with room to spare.
Handwrite it: some parents copy the words out in tiny, wobbly "elf handwriting", which kids love.

Want the kids to hear from the big man too? Set up a call from Santa.

The Elf on the Shelf® is a trademark of CCA and B, LLC (The Lumistella Company). Pranksters is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.

Elf Note Generator — FAQ

What do you write on Elf on the Shelf notes?

Keep it short and in the elf's voice: greet the child by name, say what the elf got up to or why it is writing, then sign off with the elf's name. One or two sentences of mischief or praise is plenty. Kids read every word, so details like their name and something they did that day land best.

How do I write an Elf on the Shelf letter?

Write it like a real letter: a greeting with the child's name, a short middle (hello, a rule, a bit of news from the North Pole), and a sign-off from the elf. Keep it short enough to read aloud at breakfast. The generator above lays every note out this way.

What are the rules of Elf on the Shelf?

Most families go by three: do not touch the elf or its magic fades, the elf flies to the North Pole every night to tell Santa about the day, and it lands somewhere new every morning. Kids can talk to the elf as much as they like.

When should the elf leave the goodbye letter?

On Christmas Eve, so the kids find it that night or on Christmas morning. The story goes that the elf flies home with Santa.

How do I say goodbye to the elf forever?

When the kids are getting older, the elf can leave a final letter saying they are big enough to keep the Christmas magic going on their own, and that it is off to help a new family. Start from one of the goodbye letters above and add a line about not coming back.

Can I edit the notes before I print them?

Yes. The names change as you type. To change anything else, tap Copy, paste the note into a document, edit it, and print from there.

Do I need a separate note for each child?

No. Type all the names in the child box, like "Mia, Leo and Ava", and one note covers everyone. If you want a note just for one child, change the name and tap again.

Is Elf on the Shelf a thing in the UK?

Yes. It started in the US, but plenty of families in the UK, Canada and Australia do it every December too. The notes here use US spelling, which the elf blames on Santa.