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The short answer: the best elf arrival is simple and comes with a letter. Put the elf somewhere children will spot it first thing (the breakfast table, the front door, the classroom whiteboard), add a short welcome letter with the elf’s rules, and save the big setups for later in the month. Below are 25 arrival ideas for home and the classroom.
The arrival sets the tone for the whole month. At our school, the elf arrived at the entrance gate hanging from the bunting with a sign, and from that morning the children checked for it every day. This year I’m running a daily elf in my own classroom, so these are the arrival ideas I’ve been planning.
Four things for arrival day (we earn a small commission if you buy, at no cost to you):
- The Elf on the Shelf box set: the doll and the storybook to read on arrival night.
- Polar Props daily scene kit: includes props that make a big first-day entrance easy.
- Elves at Play tools and tips: mini props and a guide book, useful for the first busy week.
- ELF Flex upgrade kit: lets the elf hold a letter, hang from a garland or wave hello.
Holiday classroom bundle
SaveGetting your door and party ready too? The Christmas Classroom Bundle puts the Cozy Winter Door Bundle and the Calm Christmas Party Pack together, so your door and your class party are both covered. See the bundle.
Save
SaveFree printable
Free Classroom Elf Letters
An arrival letter, a goodbye letter and 28 daily joke and challenge cards for your classroom elf. Print, cut and you are set for December.
Free download. You will also get a couple of follow-up emails with classroom ideas. Unsubscribe anytime.
What the elf should say on day one
Whatever you choose, the first letter should cover four things: hello and where the elf came from, the elf’s name (or a request to name it), the rules (look, don’t touch), and what happens next (a new spot or message every morning).
Free printable for your classroom elf
Classroom Elf Arrival and Goodbye Letters
Want the day-one letter done for you? This free set includes a classroom arrival letter, a goodbye letter, an elf rules poster and 28 daily joke and challenge cards.
Easy arrival ideas at home
1. Letter on the breakfast table
SaveThe classic for a reason. The elf sits by the cereal bowls holding a letter that says hello, explains where it came from and sets the rules. Children read it over breakfast and the month has started.
You need: A short welcome letter. Our free classroom elf letters include a ready-made one.
2. The suitcase arrival
SaveA small box or toy suitcase with a “North Pole” luggage tag tells the story without a word. Pop a tiny folded letter inside the case for children to find.
You need: A small box or toy suitcase and a paper tag.
3. Snowy entrance
SaveMake a trail of flour or sugar “snow” footprints leading from the window to the elf, using a fingertip to press each print. Children follow the trail to find it.
You need: Flour or sugar.
4. Parachute landing
SaveTie a coffee filter to the elf with four short strings and hang it from a light or shelf so it looks like it is floating down. Big wow, five minutes.
You need: A coffee filter and string.
5. Hot cocoa welcome
SaveThe elf sits next to a mug, a packet of cocoa and a few marshmallows with a note: “Let’s celebrate!” Make the cocoa that afternoon and the arrival lasts all day.
You need: A mug, cocoa and marshmallows.
6. North Pole breakfast
SaveGreen pancakes (a drop of food coloring) or a bowl of cereal with a tiny elf hat on the spoon. Food makes any arrival feel like an event.
You need: Pancake mix and green food coloring.
7. Balloon arrival
SaveTie the elf to a balloon floating from a chair, as if it flew in overnight. Red or white balloons look best.
You need: One balloon and string.
8. In the Christmas tree
SaveThe elf peeks out from the branches holding a “Surprise!” sign. Great if your tree goes up the same weekend the elf arrives.
You need: A small sign.
9. Front door delivery
SaveThe elf waits in a small box on the doormat, addressed to the family. Open the front door together in the morning to “find” the delivery.
You need: A small box and a label.
10. Book delivery
SaveThe elf arrives with a Christmas picture book to read together that night. It is a gentle arrival that suits younger children.
You need: A Christmas picture book.
11. Snow globe surprise
SaveFill a clear jar with cotton balls, label it “North Pole snow” and sit the elf beside it. Children love that the elf brought something from home.
You need: A jar and cotton balls.
12. Welcome back banner
SaveHang a paper banner across the mantel that reads “I’m back!” Perfect for a returning elf, and children can help keep it up all month.
You need: Paper, string and a marker.
Classroom elf arrival ideas
Save13. On the whiteboard ledge
SaveThe elf holds a letter addressed to the class. Read it together at morning meeting, then go over the rules. Our free classroom elf letters have a classroom arrival letter ready to print.
You need: The arrival letter.
14. At the classroom door
SaveTape the elf above the doorway so children spot it as they line up in the morning. Pair it with a sign: “Guess who’s here?”
You need: Tape or a sticky hook.
15. Hanging from the bunting
SaveThis is how our school elf arrived: hanging from the bunting at the entrance gate with a sign. Any garland, bunting or border works.
You need: Bunting or garland and a clothespin.
16. Name vote
SaveThe elf holds a sign: “What should my name be?” Children write ideas on sticky notes and you vote. The set also has a “Meet our classroom elf” name sign for the winner.
You need: Sticky notes and a sign.
17. The rules poster
SaveThe elf stands next to a poster with five simple rules: look, don’t touch, say good morning, be kind and check the sign every day. Our free classroom elf letters include this poster.
You need: The rules poster.
18. Under the document camera
SaveProject the elf and its letter onto the board for a big reveal. Children will remember the moment the giant elf appeared.
You need: A document camera.
19. Joke on day one
SaveStart as you mean to go on. A joke card next to the letter tells the class what to expect each morning. Our free classroom elf letters come with 28 joke and challenge cards, one for every morning.
You need: The joke cards.
20. Reading corner arrival
SaveThe elf sits in the reading corner with a stack of Christmas books. It is a calm arrival that pulls children toward the books all week.
You need: A few Christmas books.
Arrival ideas for older children
21. The mystery note
SaveA riddle that leads to where the elf is hiding. Older children love solving it, and you can add a second clue for a bigger hunt.
You need: A riddle on a card.
22. The elf passport
SaveA tiny passport stamped “North Pole” for children who love details. Fold a small paper booklet and add a drawn stamp.
You need: Paper and a pen.
23. The flight ticket
SaveA paper boarding pass from “North Pole Airlines” with the seat number and arrival time. It explains exactly how the elf got there.
You need: A paper ticket.
24. Video call
SaveThe elf “on a call” with a paper phone and a note about who it was talking to. Santa, Mrs. Claus or the reindeer all work.
You need: A paper phone.
25. The returning elf scrapbook
SaveFor an elf who visited last year, a page of photos from last December to remember together. A lovely one for children who are starting to ask questions.
You need: Printed photos.
Elf arrival props
Got a tween? Our 30 Elf on the Shelf ideas for older children swap silly poses for codes, challenges and kindness missions that 8 to 12 year olds actually enjoy.
Frequently asked questions
Most families welcome the elf on December 1 or the day after Thanksgiving. In a classroom, the first school day of December works well.
Say hello, give the elf’s name (or ask the children to choose one), explain the rules (look, don’t touch), and tell them to look for the elf in a new place each morning.
Leave a note saying the sleigh was delayed by snow. Children love a good excuse.
Have it arrive on the whiteboard or the door with a letter to the class, read the letter together, go over the rules, and let the class vote on a name.
About the author: Shinku Studio is written by a working elementary classroom teacher who has run a school elf, a classroom door contest and plenty of December parties. Every idea here is one we would use with our own class or family.