Free Elf Printables: Arrival Letter, 24 Notes and Props

It was 11:48pm on 3 December when I remembered the elf. I was already in bed. I got up, moved him from the bookshelf to the fridge, decided that was pathetic, moved him back, and then lay awake wondering if a 6-year-old would notice he’d “moved” eleven inches.

She noticed. So I made these.

They’re free elf on the shelf printables for the whole season: an arrival letter, a note for every day from 1 to 24 December, some tiny props, a note for when somebody touches the elf, and a goodbye letter for Christmas Eve. Every note has a setup that takes about two minutes with stuff you’ve already got. They work with any shelf elf, whether that’s the well-known one, a homemade one or a stuffed toy with ambitions.

(These are free, unofficial printables. Craftify Bud isn’t affiliated with The Elf on the Shelf.)

The Arrival Letter

The letter introduces your elf, explains the rules (no touching, they report to Santa every night) and has a blank for the elf’s name. There are two versions. One says the elf arrived “the day after Thanksgiving”, for families who start on Friday 27 November in the US, and the other says “on the first of December”, which is what most families in the UK, Canada and Australia seem to do.

We leave ours propped against a mug of hot chocolate, which, I’ll be honest, the grown-ups end up drinking.

24 Elf Notes for 1 to 24 December

Each day has a short note to print and a setup. The quick ones land on school nights; the slightly sillier ones are on the weekends (5 to 6, 12 to 13 and 19 to 20 December).

1. Tue 1: “I’m back!” The elf sits on top of the arrival letter.
2. Wed 2: “I got cold.” Elf wrapped in a sock like a sleeping bag.
3. Thu 3: “Can you find me?” Elf hiding somewhere slightly harder than usual.
4. Fri 4: “Movie night?” Elf on the sofa with the remote and a few pieces of popcorn.
5. Sat 5: “I’ve been fishing.” Elf on the edge of the sink with string tied to a pencil, dangling into a bowl of goldfish crackers.
6. Sun 6: “Snow day!” Elf making snow angels in a tray of flour or sugar.
7. Mon 7: “Read me a story?” Elf with a picture book open on a cushion.
8. Tue 8: “I tried to wrap a present.” Elf tangled in tape next to a badly wrapped box.
9. Wed 9: “Breakfast is served.” Elf next to a smiley face made of cereal.
10. Thu 10: “I’m on the advent calendar today.” Elf holding today’s card from the advent calendar.
11. Fri 11: “Ride with me!” Elf in a toy car or truck.
12. Sat 12: “Let’s bake.” Elf next to a mixing bowl and a cookie cutter.
13. Sun 13: “Do something kind today.” Elf holding a kindness card for the family.
14. Mon 14: “I’m a superhero.” Elf with a tiny cape from the props page.
15. Tue 15: “Brush your teeth!” Elf by the toothbrushes.
16. Wed 16: “I wrote to Santa.” Elf next to a tiny letter from the props page.
17. Thu 17: “Zip line!” Elf on string between two chairs (keep it low).
18. Fri 18: “I made a mess.” Elf in a pile of toilet paper streamers.
19. Sat 19: “Board game night?” Elf sitting on a game box.
20. Sun 20: “Draw me!” Elf next to paper and crayons.
21. Mon 21: “I’m tired.” Elf asleep in a matchbox bed with a tissue blanket.
22. Tue 22: “Count the days.” Elf pointing at the calendar.
23. Wed 23: “Sing with me.” Elf with a tiny song sheet from the props page.
24. Thu 24: “Time to go home.” Elf with the goodbye letter.

Skip any you like. Most families do at least once, usually around day 9.

Mini Props

Tiny things for the setups above: a cape, a mini letter to Santa, a song sheet, a “Do not disturb” sign, a mini “Report Card for Santa”, and a little crown. Print, cut and tape. They’re sized for an elf about 10 to 12 inches tall, which covers most of them.

When Someone Touches the Elf

It’ll happen. Somebody grabs it, a toddler hugs it, the dog takes an interest. The “magic needs a rest” note says the elf lost a bit of magic, and that a sprinkle of cinnamon (or a kind word, or a night’s sleep) will fix it. It’s a gentle way to calm a panicking child without saying anything dramatic.

We’ve used this one more than any other note in the pack. Our dog has a lot to answer for.

The Goodbye Letter

On Christmas Eve, the elf leaves a short letter thanking the family, telling the kids one thing they did that made the elf proud, and promising to come back next year. There’s a line for you to write that one thing, which is the part kids remember.

Download the Free Elf on the Shelf Printables

The free PDF has both arrival letters, all 24 daily notes, the props page, the touched-elf note and the goodbye letter. It’s all black line art, so it prints on any home printer, US Letter or A4. These elf on the shelf printables are unofficial and free for home and classroom use.

More Christmas Printables

• Printable advent calendar for kids (the elf can deliver each day’s card)
• Letter to Santa template
• Printable Christmas gift tags (including From Santa tags)
• Christmas crafts for kids

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the elf arrive in 2026?

There’s no fixed rule. In the US, a lot of families start the day after Thanksgiving, which is Friday 27 November this year. Elsewhere, 1 December is the most common start. The elf usually leaves on Christmas Eve, 24 December.

What does an elf arrival letter say?

Usually the elf’s name, a hello, and the rules: no touching, and the elf flies to the North Pole every night to report to Santa. Ours also says where the elf likes to hide and that it’ll be back in a new spot every morning. There’s a blank line so your kids can name the elf, or you can fill in the name it already has.

What do you do if a child touches the elf?

Stay calm and use the “magic needs a rest” note. It says a bit of magic was lost and a sprinkle of cinnamon or a kind act will bring it back overnight. The next morning, the elf has moved, and everyone can relax.

Do these printables work with any elf?

Yes. Nothing in the PDF uses a brand name or a branded design, so they work with any shelf elf, a homemade one or a stuffed toy. Fill in your elf’s name on the arrival letter and you’re set.

Are these elf on the shelf printables free?

Yes. They’re free and unofficial, with no email form and no sign-up. Print as many copies as you need for your family or a classroom.

How do you keep the elf easy?

Pick setups that take two minutes, reuse props, and give yourself permission to skip nights. Set a phone reminder for 9pm, not 11:48pm. Kids care much more about finding the elf than about how elaborate the scene is.