Free Elf Arrival Letters to Print Tonight

The first morning a scout elf appears is one of the best mornings of the season. A short letter from the elf makes it even better: it explains who the elf is, why Santa sent them, and how the magic works.

Below are three free letters you can print right now. Each one prints on its own page (US Letter or A4), with blanks for your child's name and your elf's name.

  • First-time arrival letter, for an elf visiting your home for the very first time
  • Welcome-back letter, for an elf returning from the North Pole
  • The elf's magic rules, a short list to stick on the fridge
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Pro Tip:

Quick tip: Fill in the blanks with a gold or red pen and let the ink dry before the elf "delivers" it. A sprinkle of paper snowflakes around the letter makes the first morning feel extra special.

1. First-Time Elf Arrival Letter

Use this one when your family's elf arrives for the very first time.

From the North Pole

Hello from your elf!

Dear ,

Surprise! My name is , and Santa sent me all the way from the North Pole to visit you.

I'm one of Santa's scout elves. Each night, while you're asleep, I fly back to the North Pole and tell Santa all about your day. Each morning I'll be back, waiting for you somewhere new. See if you can find me!

There's just one thing: please don't touch me. My Christmas magic is very delicate, and a touch can make it wobble. You can talk to me, tell me your wishes, and tell me about your day. I'll be listening.

I'll stay with you until Christmas Eve. Let's make this the most magical Christmas yet!

Your elf,

2. Welcome-Back Letter for a Returning Elf

For an elf who's visited before, a welcome-back letter tells your child the elf remembers them.

From the North Pole

I'm back!

Dear ,

Guess who's back? It's me, ! I missed you so much this year.

I spent the spring helping the reindeer practice their takeoffs and the summer painting toys in Santa's workshop. Santa says you have grown so much since I last saw you!

This year I'm especially excited to see you .

Just like last year, I'll fly to the North Pole every night to tell Santa about your day, and I'll hide somewhere new every morning. Remember: no touching, so my magic stays strong.

Your elf,

3. The Elf's Magic Rules

Short and easy to read, this one works well on the fridge or next to the elf's first hiding spot.

From the North Pole

My elf magic rules

Dear , here's how my magic works:

1. Please don't touch me. My magic is very delicate!

2. Talk to me any time. I love hearing your wishes and stories.

3. Every night I fly to the North Pole to tell Santa about your day.

4. Every morning I'll be hiding somewhere new. Can you find me?

5. I'll stay until Christmas Eve, then fly home with Santa's sleigh.

With sparkles,

When Do Elves Arrive?

Every family picks its own day. Many elves arrive the day after Thanksgiving, which is Friday, November 27 this year. Others arrive on December 1 so they can count down the days with your family. Some arrive the morning after a child writes their letter to Santa.

Whichever day you choose, pick a first hiding spot your child will find quickly: next to their breakfast bowl, on the Christmas tree, or sitting on top of the letter itself.

Fun Ideas for the Elf's First Morning

  • Leave a tiny breakfast. A doll-sized plate of mini marshmallows or a candy cane goes a long way.
  • Bring a little North Pole snow. A few pinches of flour or a paper snowflake trail leading to the elf.
  • Bring something to write with. Leave a blank Santa wish list next to the elf so your child can start their list right away.
  • Start a countdown. Our 25 Christmas activities for kids give your elf something new to "suggest" every day.

Let Your Child Write Back to Santa

Kids often want to send a message to Santa as soon as the elf arrives. They can write to Santa online, and Santa writes back in seconds, in reply to what your child actually wrote.

Write a letter to Santa

Write to Santa free: one letter a day, each with Santa's personal reply.

Write to Santa free

Want to go one step further? Your child can talk to Santa live and tell him all about the elf's first visit. Here's a Santa call script with easy questions to ask, and our guide to Santa's phone number covers the free hotlines too.

More Free Printables

Your elf can "deliver" any of these over the coming weeks:

See them all in Santa's printables room.

Questions Parents Ask

What should the elf's first letter say? Keep it short. Say the elf's name, that Santa sent them, that they fly to the North Pole each night, that they hide somewhere new each morning, and the no-touching rule. That's everything a child needs on day one.

What if my child touches the elf? Many families have the elf leave a note the next morning saying a little extra Christmas spirit (or a sprinkle of cinnamon) restored the magic. Kindness fixes most things at the North Pole.

Can the elf write more letters? Of course. A short note now and then keeps the magic going. When it's time to say goodbye on Christmas Eve, the elf can leave one last letter too.

The Elf on the Shelf® is a registered trademark of The Lumistella Company. These letters are our own and work for any scout elf.