Printable Elf on the Shelf Return Letter

I’m so excited about my new printable Elf on the Shelf Return Letter! It’s easily customizable with your elf’s name and your kids’ names, and it’s such a fun way to announce your elf’s arrival! If you’re looking for a fun way to announce your elf’s return and get your kids into the Christmas spirit, get the letter below!

The matching Elf on the Shelf goodbye letter is coming soon, so come back for the departure letter!

How to Get the Printable Elf on the Shelf Return Letter

First, go my shop and purchase the printable shelf letter template here.

Upon checkout, you’ll see a link to download a PDF and​ that same link will be immediately emailed to you. Just download that PDF. Inside that will be the link to the Canva file. All you need is a free Canva.com account to edit the file. In the PDF that you download with your purchase, there is also an instruction video, showing you how to edit the file in Canva. You’ll simple edit your child’s name and the name of your elf, and then download the file (this is all in the instruction video). Then, you can print it on standard 8.5 x 11 paper.

Note: This is for personal use only and the Canva file and instant download may not be shared or re-sold. 

The Elf on the Shelf has become such a fun Christmas tradition, and I was really excited to make this printable arrival letter to help each mischievous little elf come back with a bang. 

Here are some ideas of how to use this Elf on the Shelf arrival letter:

Here’s a list of creative Elf on the Shelf arrival ideas for where to place your Elf on the Shelf along with its arrival letter:

1. Peeking Out of a Stocking: Your elf can pop out of a Christmas stocking to greet your child with a warm welcome. This is a great way if you already have your stockings hung empty for decoration!
2. In the Christmas Tree: Perched on a branch or hidden among the ornaments. This is a common hiding place of our elf, Jackson Blueberry, during the holiday season.
3. On the Mantel: Sitting on the fireplace mantel, keeping an eye on the holiday decorations. You can put the Elf on the Shelf introduction letter in a frame or print it on cardstock so it’s sturdy enough to lean on something.
4. In the Cookie Jar: Being naughty from the start is the perfect way for your Elf to re-introduce themself. 
5. In the Fridge: Your elf along with the Elf on the Shelf note would be a big surprise when the kids open the refrigerator.
6. Hanging from a Chandelier: Swinging from a chandelier, bringing a little spectacle to the dining room, with the note hanging by a string.
7. In the Bathroom: Your elf can be sitting on a roll of toilet paper with the personalized letter rolled up and sticking out of another roll of toilet paper.
8. Riding a Toy Train: Your fun little elf can be hitching a ride on a miniature train or any toy vehicle, towing the letter behind.
9. Building a Snowman: Using marshmallows or cotton balls to build a mini snowman on the kitchen counter, with the Elf on the Shelf welcome letter printable beside it.
10. Playing Dress-Up: Decked out in doll clothes or toy superhero costumes – getting into trouble already on its first visit.
11. Hiding in a Shoe: Peekaboo! Your elf can be hiding in a shoe.
12. Behind the Blinds: Peaking inside from the blinks with the letter in tow.
13. Under the Christmas Lights: Wrapped up in fairy lights or tangled in tinsel.
14. On the Stairs: Climbing the staircase or even making a zipline from one end to the other, with the letter rolled up and attached.
15. In a Toy Fort: Building a small fort out of building blocks or cardboard boxes, on his best behavior, with the note in tow.
16. Candy Canes: ​Have your elf sitting with the letter and the gift of candy canes for the kids!

I love this time of the year! To be honest, I am normally excited to start the family tradition and shenanigans with our own elf, and then I get exhausted by trying to remember to put him in a different place every single day. Doing some things like adding little notes like this one can make it easier to just move your elf to a new place and place the letter with your little guy or girl. 

If the elf on the shelf is a new tradition for you, have fun with it but don’t over-complicate it. The kids get excited even if the elf just moves to a different place every day. Don’t go so crazy that you end up hating it and can’t keep up, because once you “raise the bar”, you kind of have to keep it there!

I hope you and your family have an amazing holiday season, enjoy all the little things about Christmas time, and have a magical Christmas day! 

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