Late Elf on the Shelf Return Letter

Is your Elf on the Shelf running a bit late this year? Don’t worry! We have a free Elf Return Letter that explains why he’s arriving that works for any time before Christmas. Scroll down for the free download, no strings attached.

All you have to do is fold it into a paper airplane and sit it next to your elf.

Late Elf on the Shelf Return LetterDownload

Click the link above to download the Free Elf on the Shelf Late Return Letter. The downloadable one doesn’t have the blog url on it! Also, this is an original poem I wrote, so please don’t use it for commercial purposes.

Is Your Elf on the Shelf Late?

In many homes, the Elf on the Shelf arrives on December 1st, marking the start of the Christmas countdown. Families may choose to welcome their elf on another date that aligns with their holiday schedule, but December 1st is the most common starting point.

I prefer our elf to get here about week into December, so I have a few less evenings involving me waking up in the middle of the night and remembering the elf needs a little help doing his magical thing.

Usually, my son doesn’t notice the late arrival, but this year he started asking about him in November! So, I had to explain why he didn’t show up until December 7th.

The History of Elf on the Shelf

The Elf on the Shelf tradition began in 2005 when Carol Aebersold and her daughter Chanda Bell published a book titled The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition. Illustrated by Coë Steinwart, the book tells the story of a scout elf sent by Santa to watch over children and report back on their behavior during the holiday season. The book included a small toy elf, creating an interactive experience that has since become a beloved Christmas tradition.

The concept originated from Aebersold’s own childhood. Her family had a similar elf named Fisbee who appeared every December. Inspired by their memories, Aebersold and Bell sought to share this tradition with others.

Since its release, the Elf on the Shelf has grown into a cultural phenomenon, with millions of families incorporating it into their holiday routines. The tradition has also expanded into TV specials, merchandise, and even spin-off characters like Elf Pets.

How the Tradition Works

When the elf arrives, families name it, bringing it to life as part of their household. Each night, the elf “flies” back to the North Pole to report on the children’s behavior and returns the next morning in a new location or engaging in a playful activity. The daily hide-and-seek nature of the elf encourages creativity and anticipation, and the occasional frantic parent.

Part of our Elf on the Shelf tradition is that he flies here on a paper airplane, and on that airplane is a note to our son. Click here to see last year’s letter.

The Elf on the Shelf also includes a rule: children must not touch the elf, as it could lose its magic. So, if you do this, make sure your elf is not sitting on the airplane, or your child won’t be able to read their letter!

If you have your own special elf traditions, or any fun ideas for something he might get into tonight, let me know in the comments.

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