Elf arrival ideas for 1 December
The easiest elf arrival on 1 December is the elf sitting somewhere the children will see it first thing, with a short letter saying who it is and how long it is staying.
Below are 10 arrival ideas that use things already in the house, and a free arrival letter you can print. When the elf is in, the free elf planner plans the other 23 nights, and there are 24 easy elf ideas if you would rather pick your own.
What are some easy elf arrival ideas?
- The letter on the table. The elf sits on the kitchen table beside the arrival letter below, so it is the first thing the children find.
- Paper footprints. Cut a few small footprints from paper and lay a trail from the front door to wherever the elf is waiting.
- Special delivery. Put the elf in an empty parcel box by the door, with the flaps open and the letter tucked inside.
- Just flown in. Sit the elf on a windowsill facing into the room, as if it has just landed.
- Paper chain countdown. The elf arrives holding a paper chain of 24 links. The children tear one off each morning until Christmas Eve.
- A map from the North Pole. Leave a hand-drawn map beside the elf, with a dotted line from the North Pole to your house.
- Snowy welcome. Lay a white tea towel on a shelf as snow and sit the elf in the middle of it.
- Hello on the mirror. Stick a note to the bathroom mirror that says: I'm here. Come and find me.
- Wrapped in a scarf. Wrap the elf in a scarf on the coat hook, as if it has just come in from the cold.
- Sitting with the advent calendar. Sit the elf next to the advent calendar, ready for the first door on 1 December.
How do I print the free arrival letter?
Type the names if you like, or leave them blank and write them by hand. Then press Print. The letter prints in black on white on one A4 page. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.
A letter from your elf
Dear ,
Hello from the North Pole. My name is and I am your Christmas elf.
I will be staying with you until Christmas Eve. Every night I fly back to the North Pole to tell everyone how you are getting on, and every morning I will be somewhere new. See if you can find me.
I love jokes, kind words and a tidy room. I will be listening, so tell me your news.
See you in the morning.
Love from your elf,
What happens after the first night?
The elf moves to a new spot each night. The free elf planner gives you an idea for every night until Christmas Eve, so you are not thinking of one at 11pm.
Frequently asked questions
When should the elf arrive?
Most families have the elf arrive on the morning of 1 December, so it stays for 24 nights until Christmas Eve. Any December morning works.
Is the arrival letter really free?
Yes. There is no payment, no trial and no sign-up. The letter is made in your browser and nothing you type is sent anywhere.
Will the letter print on one page?
Yes. It prints in black on white on a single A4 page. Leave the names blank to write them by hand, or type them in first.
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