Elf on the Shelf Rules plus answers to some of your frequently asked questions. New creative, funny, and original Elf on the Shelf Ideas daily.

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Elf on the Shelf Rules

Starting November 1st, we are back with daily Elf on the Shelf Ideas. Whether you are new to Frugal Coupon Living, or you have been with us for the past six years, we have something new to make Elf exciting for your family. You can view our Elf on the Shelf Master List for a full list of ideas including every idea we have ever done.

For many of these Elf on the Shelf ideas, make sure you have an elf that can bend. You can do that easily with our Bendable Elf on the Shelf tutorial.  You also can shop our collection of Elf Printables for ideas to cover the entire season!

What is Elf on the Shelf?

What is Elf on the Shelf? This is Elf on the Shelf Explained in one minute.  Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas Tradition. This holiday tradition has an Elf on the Shelf book and a Scout Elf doll. The Scout Elf book is poetic and in rhyme sharing the purpose of the Elf’s visits.

While Elf on the Shelf lives at the North Pole, he begins visiting families every Christmas season checking on naughty or nice behavior of children. The Elf on the Shelf first visits each Thanksgiving. Each family is able to name their special elf.  Each evening, Scot Elf returns from the North Pole to report to Santa on a family’s behavior. Every morning he can be found in a new location in the house. You must find him!

It is important VERY IMPORTANT, you do not touch The Elf on the Shelf or her/his Christmas magic will be lost! The elves return to their home (Santa’s North Pole Work shop) every Christmas Eve.

Elf on the Shelf Rules

There are a few rules when it comes to adopting an Elf.

Name your Elf on the Shelf

Give your North Pole visitor a name. Look at our 50+ ideas of Elf on the Shelf Names.

Do Not Touch Elf on the Shelf

Elf looses his magic if he is touched by humans. Do not touch Elf on the Shelf. If you need to move Elf (for example, he/she has fallen) use our Magic Elf Grippers to move Elf. Also read about Elf being touched in the In Case of Elftastrophe an Elf on the Shelf Emergency Guide Book.

Elf Moves at Night

No matter what, Elf cannot move when you are watching. Elf on the Shelf moves at night when everyone is asleep. There may be a few occasion when Elf will need to move during the day when the kids are at school. Sometimes Elves fall asleep too. Look at our list of Reasons Elf Did Not Move plus a tip to make sure he/she moves each day.

Elf Cannot Talk

Elf is always listening, but Elf cannot talk. Tell Elf about your day, about your Christmas Wish List. You can even leave notes for Santa with Elf and he/she will deliver them at night to Santa Claus.

Elf Must Return Home at Christmas

Elf must go back to his home in the North Pole at Christmas. Look for a postcard. Elf might send you mail on his vacation or from his home! Typically Elf leaves on Christmas Eve night with Santa on the sleigh. Some elves stay and watch you open presents, returning to their home with magic the next day.

Can parents touch the elf on the shelf?

Frequently it’s asked, can adults touch Elf on the Shelf.   Parents, it’s important to follow the rules of Elf on the Shelf. Elf must never be touched. However, if Elf has an accident or falls, it is important to move Elf from any dangerous spots (for example, the floor where your pet dog might pick it up.) You can use these Magic Elf on the Shelf grippers, so parents can touch and move Elf on the Shelf without actually “touching” the Elf.

Parents may also use a gloved hand OR if Elf must be touched with the skin of a human, Elf should sit out for another 24 hours.

Attention Parents: See the list of frequently asked questions at the Official Elf on the Shelf Page.

Elf on the Shelf Printables

Our most popular Elf on the Shelf printables can be found in our Elf Store. Shop Elf costumes, our Elf Twister board, Jokes for Kids, our Magic Shrinking Machine and so much more!

Free Elf on the Shelf Printables

We also love sharing Elf on the Shelf free printables! Get all of our free Elf on the Shelf printables by entering your email address below. This is where you can print the Elf on the Shelf rules. Look for an email to confirm you signed up. One you confirm, look for a second email in your inbox with a link and password!

By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.

Free Printables Step by Step Directions

1.) Enter your email address here.

2.) Look for a confirmation email in your inbox and confirm you requested a sign up.

3.) We will send you a Free Printables Welcome Email with link and passcode to all of our free printables.

4.) Enter your passcode at the top of the page here and click “Access Printables”

5. Enjoy your Elf on the Shelf Printables.

Elf on the Shelf Facebook Group

Save these ideas because you will want to stay up to date on these ideas each Christmas season. We do our best to mix up easy and hard Elf on the Shelf Ideas.

Elf on the Shelf Facebook Page

Multiple ideas are added each day to our Elf on the Shelf Ideas Facebook page. This is a great way for you to share your own Elf on the Shelf Ideas and share our ideas to your page. There are some good ones! Be sure to like the page!

Elf on the Shelf Pinterest Boards

We also are in charge of a Elf on the Shelf Ideas Pinterest board. On this board, we have invited other bloggers to share their ideas and free Elf on the Shelf Printables too! Be sure to follow the board!

Our goal, to make Elf easy for you!

Don’t forget all of our daily Elf on the Shelf Ideas. Pin to Pinterest on your Christmas and Elf Boards.

We have been doing Elf on the Shelf forever. See our Elf on the Shelf Master List. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

Six amazing Elf on the Shelf letters. Three Elf on the Shelf arrival letters to choose from and three blank Elf on the Shelf letters from one or multiple elves. Frugal Coupon Living has new creative, funny, and original Elf on the Shelf Ideas daily.

Are you ready to welcome back Elf on the Shelf?! The best way to get started with this fun Christmas tradition or to welcome back Elf on the Shelf is with a letter. Since Elf on a Shelf cannot talk, having an elf note allows you to express a message without voice to the kiddos.

When Does Elf Return?

Elf on the Shelf typically returns Thanksgiving or December 1st. However, Elf can return anytime during the holiday season – from, as early as, November 1 to right before Christmas Eve. Each family will have a different arrival date as sometimes the line for exiting North Pole customs can be quite long. If you are looking for a fun way to welcome the Elf, there are so many first night Elf on the Shelf ideas.

Does Elf on the Shelf come with a letter?

The Original Scout Elf on the Shelf doll only comes with a book. When you purchase Scout Elf on the Shelf kit , it does not come with a letter. Letters are great for elves, however, because they give voice to a message and as we know elves cannot talk. With an Elf letter you can tell a child many things. The first time to send an Elf on a Shelf letter is when your elf arrives.

Want new Elf on a Shelf Ideas in your inbox daily in the month of November & December? Sign up here!

Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letters

There are many creative ideas for an Elf on the Shelf arrival. If the first Elf on the Shelf arrival idea is great, typically you can spend a few days getting away with the one minute easy Elf on the Shelf idea.

Elf Arrival Ideas

• Elf comes through an Elf door

• Elf arrives down the chimney

• Elf flies in on an airplane

• Elf returns with a small gift

• Elf Breakfast

• Elf brings clues for a Christmas Scavenger Hunt

• Elf is trapped in a balloon

• Elf arrives in a package

• Elf starts the Advent Calendar

• Elf brings a printable letter

Whatever your first night Elf on the Shelf idea, we created three Elf on the Shelf Welcome Letter printables for you to use when the elf arrives.

Elf on the Shelf Letter from Santa

Elf on the Shelf return letter from the office of Santa.

I’m back! It’s Christmas time and I am so excited to be here. Santa and I have been watching from the North Pole but now he has given me permission to visit you. I will be here each and every day until Christmas Eve, when I return to my home with Santa on his sleigh. I want to remind you to be good, follow directions, and be a helper to others. Christmas is the best time to spread Christmas Cheer!

Elf on the Shelf Hello Letter

This Elf on the Shelf introduction letter is a hello message for arrival.

Hello – I am back! I am so excited to be out of the cold North Pole. As you know, I will be staying with you until Christmas Eve. Santa has sent me to be his eyes and ears and I love reporting back to Santa that you’ve been nice. There are many ways to be good, a few of my favorites include listening to adults, helping with chores, eating your veggies, and doing good deeds. A few ways to spread Christmas cheer are giving compliments or offering hugs – my personal favorite. I will be watching! XO The Elf

Elf on the Shelf Letter About Jesus

Elf reminds your child about the reason for the season of CHRIST-mas!

I am so happy to be back! Christmas is exciting and I promise to be fun, but let’s not forget the reason for the season – the birth of Jesus! As you know, Santa has placed me with your family to report all the wonderful things I see in your family. You can talk to me and I can share your secrets with Santa. Remember, however, I cannot talk back to you. Merry CHRIST-mas!

Elf on the Shelf Blank Letter

In addition to arrival letters, using Elf on the Shelf blank letter templates, you can write messages throughout the season.  This allows you to pass messages from you the Elf to your child. It also encourages existing good behavior or can correct poor behavior.

These blank letters have three headings: Note from the Elf, Note from the Elves, and Christmas Cheer! The generic templates allow you to have a personalized Elf on the Shelf Letter.

What do you write in an elf on the shelf letter?

There are many message you can give in an Elf on a Shelf letter. Blank Elf on the Shelf letters allow you to personalize messages to your child’s behavior, day, activities, plans, etc.

Examples of what to write in a letter from Elf:

• Correct poor behavior

• Ask your child to clean up their room

• Encourage good behavior

• Wish a Happy birthday

• Tell about an exciting family activity your child doesn’t know about yet

• Tell a funny joke

• Wish a Merry Christmas

• Find the  _____ (Candy Canes, Hershey kisses, or ornaments) Elf game

Below you can write a message from the Elf using Elf Letter Header templates. With each of the Elf letterhead, you can write your own personalized Elf on the Shelf note.

Multiple Elves A Note from the Elves Letter

A Note from the Elf

Christmas Cheer! Letter Header

Elf on the Shelf Letter Template Download

Let’s get in the Christmas spirit! Are you ready to have all six Elf on the Shelf Letter Templates in your hands. Kids will love these three Elf on the Shelf Welcome back letter printable and three blank letters for their Elf doll.

In addition to the printable arrival letters, the most popular Elf on the Shelf printables can be found in our Elf Store. Shop Elf costumes, our Elf Twister board, Jokes for Kids, our Magic Shrinking Machine and so much more! Everything you need to create quick and easy Elf ideas.

In addition to the elf returns letter, there also is a farewell or good bye letter to use when your family Elf retires.

Free Elf on the Shelf Downloads

You are a busy mom and the evening is not the best time for ideas. I get it. I also love sharing free Elf on the Shelf ideas printables!

Get free Elf on the Shelf printables by entering your email address below. If you like the free printable letter, jokes or Elf props, perhaps come back later and grab something fun from the Elf Store.

Look for an email to confirm you signed up. Once you confirm, look for a second email in your inbox with a link and password for your free pritnable elf content!

Free Printables Step by Step Directions

1.) Enter your email address here.

2.) Look for a confirmation email in your inbox and confirm you requested a sign up.

3.) We will send you a Free Printables Welcome Email with link and passcode to all of our free printables.

4.) Enter your passcode at the top of the page here and click “Access Printables”

5. Enjoy your Elf on the Shelf Printables.

Elf on the Shelf Ideas

The easiest Elf seasons are the ones where you are prepared. Download your Elf on the Shelf Calendar. Print all your Elf digital downloads. By taking a few extra minutes to gather Elf printables, you can create easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas daily for the entire season.

At Frugal Coupon Living, we have created almost 60 new ideas every season for over seven years. See our Elf on the Shelf Master List. This list is updated regularly during the Christmas season.

Want new easy Elf Ideas in your inbox daily in the month of November & December? Sign up here!

Elf on the Shelf on Social Media

Save these ideas because you will want to stay up to date on these ideas each Christmas season. We do our best to mix up easy and hard Elf on the Shelf Ideas. There are naughty, nice, and mischief Elf ideas.

Elf on the Shelf Facebook Page

Multiple ideas are added each day to our Elf on the Shelf Ideas Facebook page. This is a great way for you to share your own Elf on the Shelf Ideas and share our ideas to your page. There are some good ones! Be sure to like the page!

Elf on the Shelf Pinterest Boards

We also are in charge of a Elf on the Shelf Ideas Pinterest board. On this board, we have invited other bloggers to share their ideas and free Elf on the Shelf Printables too! Be sure to follow the board!

Our goal, to make Elf easy for you!

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.

View our full list of Elf on the Shelf Trackers. Elf on the Shelf tracker apps, online trackers, and how to catch Elf on the Shelf moving on camera. New creative, funny, and original Elf on the Shelf Ideas daily.

Elf on the Shelf Tracker

Your Elf on the Shelf has arrived, now what? Does just the thought of a Scout Elf coming in your house give you anxiety? It gave me anxiety for a long time and that is why I have been working on new Elf on the Shelf Ideas daily (in the months of November and December) for the past seven years.

Every year I bring you at least 55 New Elf on the Shelf Ideas. I have been doing this for 7 years, so in our Huge Elf on the Shelf List (100+ ideas) You can find over 500 Funny Elf on the Shelf Ideas. Many come with a Free Elf on the Shelf Printable.

If you are getting started with the offical Elf on the Shelf, make sure you have a Bendable Scout Elf.  In addition to our free Elf printables, you also can shop our best collection of Elf Digital Downloads & Printables.

Magical Elf on the Shelf Trackers

Let’s talk about different Elf on the Shelf Tracker online. Online trackers, slow moving Elf on the Shelf videos, and Elf on the Shelf Calendars…. this post will answer all your Elf tracker information.

Elf Tracker Apps

First, let’s talk about Elf on the Shelf Tracker Apps.

Alexa North Pole Elf Tracker With Amazon Echo

This is the easiest Elf Tracker. Add the North Pole Elf Tracker to your Alexa and daily check in to report your Elf on the Shelf Activity. Emma the head Elf tracker needs updates of your Elf’s daily activities. Great for kids.

Elf on The Shelf Tracker Radar Simulator 

This Elf tracker app is more simplistic. Perfect for little kids who would not see the hole in it’s design. For example, Similar to the NORAD Santa tracker, find where your elf is moving around the earth. Only your elf might be on the self in your home. If your child won’t question situations like that, let them play with this Elf tracker.

Elf On The Shelf Live Tracker Simulator

This Elf on the Shelf tracker offers a bit more of an interactive experience. Use a tracker radar and follow elves on a map.

Shelf Elf Tracker – Where’s that Elf? – Daily Reminder and Ideas for your Scout Elf’s Location

This Elf tracker is more of a personal tracker for you. Get daily questions asking where your Elf is and update the app to keep a running log of your Scout Elf’s activity and whereabouts. (Parents, it has the potential to act as your daily “reminder.”)

Moving Elf on the Shelf Caught on Camera

Often I get asked how to catch Elf on the Shelf moving. Children cannot catch elf moving but sometimes a camera can!

Parents, if you have been asking how to make elf move, the best way to track Elf on the Shelf moving is to use the Life Lapse Stop Motion Maker for Google or Life Lapse Stop Motion Maker for Apple.

See the video below for creative scenarios and a tutorial for Elf on the Shelf using the stop motion app.

Elf on the Shelf Snapchat Filter

Of course, there is another way to get Elf on the Shelf moving on camera. Take a photo in your home (Of your Christmas tree, your sleeping child, you name it) and add a dancing and moving Elf on the Shelf.

You can see this in action by following these simple steps.

Elf on the Shelf Snapchat Directions

1. Open your Snapchat.
2. Once you sign in, look for Elf Shelf by CAL or Elf Twerk by CAL
3. Take a photo of your home
4. Add the Elf Snapchat filter

You should have it for 48 or download or record screen to keep longer.

Santa Tracker

On Christmas Eve, you can also track Santa has he travels the globe visiting the homes of good boys and girls and picking up many Scout Elves.

Official NORAD Santa Tracker

For 60 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s flight. Follow Santa as he makes his

Elf on the Shelf Printables

Our most popular Elf on the Shelf printables can be found in our Elf Store. Shop Elf Outfits, Elf Twister Board, Elf Scavenger Hunt, Elf Employee of the Month and so much more! This also includes our Editable Elf on the Shelf Calendar PDF with filllable fields.

Elf on the Shelf Tracker Printable

We also love sharing Elf on the Shelf free printables! If your child wants to keep track of their own Elf on the Shelf activities, download our Elf on the Shelf Calendar and use the blank copy as an Elf Tracker. Save the other copy as Elf on the Shelf Ideas for you!

You can also Elf yourself with the free printable elf template. Three designs so you can make your own paper elf craft and moveable Elf. Also learn how to use the ElfYourself App for a cute dancing Elf idea. This Elf on the Shelf printable is found in our free printable library.

Get all of our free Elf on the Shelf printables by entering your email address below. Look for an email to confirm you signed up. Once you confirm, look for a second email in your inbox with a link and password!

Download Elf on the Shelf Tracker Calendar

Free Printables Step by Step Directions

1.) Enter your email address here.

2.) Look for a confirmation email in your inbox and confirm you requested a sign up.

3.) We will send you a Free Printables Welcome Email with link and passcode to all of our free printables.

4.) Enter your passcode at the top of the page here and click “Access Printables”

5. Enjoy your Elf on the Shelf Printables.

Elf on the Shelf on Social Media

Save these ideas because you will want to stay up to date on these ideas each Christmas season. We do our best to mix up easy and hard Elf on the Shelf Ideas.

Elf on the Shelf Facebook Page

Multiple ideas are added each day to our Elf on the Shelf Ideas Facebook page. This is a great way for you to share your own Elf on the Shelf Ideas and share our ideas to your page. There are some good ones! Be sure to like the page!

Elf on the Shelf Pinterest Boards

We also are in charge of a Elf on the Shelf Ideas Pinterest board. On this board, we have invited other bloggers to share their ideas and free Elf on the Shelf Printables too! Be sure to follow the board!

Our goal, to make Elf easy for you!

What is Elf on the Shelf?

Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas Tradition. The tradition has a book and a elf doll. The book is poetic and in rhyme sharing the purpose of the Elf’s visits. The Elf visits each Thanksgiving. He/She goes and returns from the North Pole each evening. Every morning he can be found in a new location in the house. The Elf has been found in the refrigerator, fishing in the toilet, writing messages on the mirror or hanging from the lights. It is VERY IMPORTANT, the Elf is not touch each evening or his Christmas magic will be lost! Each family is able to name their special elf. The elves return to their home (Santa’s North Pole Work shop) every Christmas Eve. An Elf’s Story can also be found on DVD.

Don’t forget all of our daily Elf on the Shelf Ideas. Pin to Pinterest on your Christmas and Elf Boards.

We have been doing Elf on the Shelf forever. See our Elf on the Shelf Master List. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.