It’s nearly December and that means it’s time for the Elf on the Shelf to make his grand reappearance!
Your Elf’s grand return to the house after a year in the loft (cough, cough, I mean at the North Pole) can be really exciting for the kids.
I introduced Elf on the Shelf as a new family Christmas tradition back in 2019. It really did make December fun, but as the kids get older their expectations of Elf’s hilarious antics keep going up and up!
For that reason I love to share Elf inspiration on here – because it gets me ready for the festive season and the daily Elf challenge.
Having the Elf adds a little sprinkle of magic for the children every day. They love waking up and going to discover what the Elf has got up to overnight.
There are tons of daily ideas for Elf on the Shelf over on this post to tide you through to Christmas Day.
But for day one I thought I would share some fun ideas for welcoming back your Elf on the Shelf.
If you don’t yet have an Elf on the Shelf, you could still use these ideas to introduce the Elf to your kids on December 1. It’s a really fun tradition that the whole family can enjoy.
You can check out my ideas for saying goodbye to Elf on the Shelf here and you might also like my Elf on the Shelf cheat sheet for December.
This post contains affiliate links. This means I make a small commission on any sales through the links but it does not cost you a penny more.
How to welcome back the Elf on the Shelf
If you’ve done the Elf on the Shelf in previous years then you’re probably pretty good at coming up with daily ideas for his antics.
But what about the big day one, when he arrives back in the house to say “Hi” to the kids for another month of December?
Some children may be too young to remember the Elf from last year, while for others it’s nice to make a big fuss out of his return to kick off the countdown to Christmas.
To welcome back your Elf on the Shelf, I suggest trying a letter that you can read with or to your children that explains what the Elf is here to do.
I have a free printable Elf on the Shelf welcome letter you can download right here. Simply add your child’s name!
Simply print it off and roll it up into a scroll and tie with a ribbon or pin it on the wall or fridge somewhere close to the Elf.
Click to download the letter here:
Not got an Elf on the Shelf?
Get your Elf on the Shelf here!
Want more free printables for your Elf? Check out my Printable Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter.
Ideas for Elf on the Shelf’s return
Whether you want to use the free return letter or not, these ideas can help make the Elf’s return exciting.
I especially love the texting idea as a very low maintenance one that will make them laugh, but only takes you 5 minutes to put together!
1. North Pole breakfast
Serving up a delicious breakfast makes it feel like a real celebration when the Elf on the Shelf returns to your home.
A North Pole breakfast is a special feast served around Christmas time. Many people choose to do it on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, but you could try throwing one on December 1 to mark the Elf’s return.
Essential food to serve at a North Pole breakfast includes waffles or pancakes with maple syrup plus many people serve sweet treats such as marshmallows too.
Get creative with how you serve the food. Why not try making snowman marshmallows or serve cups of milk with candy canes sticking out of them for a splash of festive colour?
There are some fab North Pole breakfast ideas over on Good to Know.
Don’t forget to get some festive napkins and a table cloth to make the breakfast table look bright and fun.
2. Texting Santa
While a letter from the Elf can help explain his arrival, you could also try using some modern technology!
Sit your Elf up with your phone in front of him and some text messages on the screen between him and Santa as if he has pinched your phone to let Santa know he’s OK.
If you change your partner’s name on the phone to “Santa” then it will show up on screen as a conversation with Santa.
Try writing the following exchange:
You: Hey Santa, got here safe. Kids all behaving well so far. I’ll report back tonight.
Santa: Ho Ho Ho. Wonderful news. Do not forget to spread lots of Christmas joy while you are there! All is good here. The presents are nearly finished and the reindeer are getting ready for their big flight.
You: See you soon boss!
3. Popping out of a present
Have a gift box under the tree (if you’ve put it up, if not put it on the breakfast table) and have the Elf popping out of it with a label on the side of the box saying “I’m back” or “Guess who’s back?”.
Inside the box you could put your letter from the Elf.
4. Secret message from Santa
I love this idea for welcoming back the Elf! It’s perfect for older children and gives them a fun activity as part of Elf’s return.
Give the kids an envelop featuring a coded message from Santa, delivered by the Elf, that they need to decode and read.
You can try this coded message printable from Over The Big Moon.
5. Throw a welcome party
The day before December 1, get your kids to help you decorate the house to welcome back the Elf.
You could make your own bunting together, using templates such as this one from Activity Village.
Simply get your kids to decorate the bunting with paint or pens and write “Welcome Back”. If your Elf has a name then add that to the banner too.
You could also blow up some balloons in festive red and green colours, and add a few streamers to the ceiling and walls.
Your children can also create their own posters with pictures of the Elf to put on the walls to welcome him back.
When the kids are asleep, place the Elf among all of the party chaos, with a party popper or whistle in his hand to show him enjoying the fun.
6. Riding on a sleigh
Place your elf on a sleigh and have him riding down the bannister, or on the tree if it’s up yet!
I love this sleigh!
7. Bake Christmas cookies
Your Elf could have baked your kids some festive cookies!
To make it extra fun sprinkle some flour on the counter and smear a little icing on the Elf’s face. Make it look as if he’s been getting messy in the kitchen!
Final thoughts on welcoming back your Elf
I hope these have given you some great ideas for welcoming back your Elf on the Shelf!
Enjoy surprising your little ones!
