I’m Back Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Arrival – Elf is headed back to your home to the North Pole. Eighteen creative Elf on the Shelf Return Ideas to say hello to your elf on their first night.
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If you are new to the Elf on the Shelf, let’ us guide you. The elf season can be quite intimidating and overwhelming. Take your Elf season from frantic to relaxed with Frugal Coupon Living as a resource.
First, at Frugal Coupon Living we bring a new Elf on the Shelf Idea all November and December long. Before your Elf enters your front door, make sure to plan ahead. November is a great time to get ready for Elf on the Shelf. Get all the supplies you need and check out our Elf on the Shelf Ideas calendar so you are prepared the entire month of December.
Don’t become frantic. Sign up for our daily Elf on the Shelf emails. Let us bring you a new idea every day now until Christmas day. This includes acesss to our free Elf on the Shelf printables library.
If you are forgetful to move your elf, don’t forget our Elf on the Shelf Tip – tried and true, never forget to move your elf again with a little help from your phone! Also check out our creative last night ideas – ways to say Goodbye Elf on the Shelf.
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When Does Elf on the Shelf Arrive?
The Elf on the Shelf typically returns Thanksgiving evening with the kids discovered Elf in the morning. However, the best thing about Elf is you can personalize this Christmas tradition to your family. If a few weeks works best for your home or a longer period too, that is okay. There is no rule for when should Elf on the Shelf arrive.
Why is my Elf on the Shelf not coming?
If your child is asking where did my Elf on the Shelf go, begin this process for time delay. Explain that more and more elves are trying to get out of the North Pole and there is a long line for receiving magic and exiting the Norths Pole Customs line. Ask your to write Santa. They can ask Santa for Elf to be moved to the front of the line for arrival. You can also explain the need to be patient.
When Elf does arrive, it is going to be great because we have some amazing Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas.
Elf on the Shelf Welcome Letter
One way to welcome Elf on the Shelf into the home is with an Elf welcome letter. This set of 6 Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letters includes three ideas for the first night as well as three Elf letters that are blank to use later in the year.
Elf Letters Bundle Includes:
Elf on the Shelf Hello Letter
Elf on the Shelf Letter About Jesus
Elf on the Shelf Letter from Santa
Three Blank Letters
Grab your letters to use as an Elf on the Shelf welcome letter but also throughout the entire season of Elf.
Get Set of 6 Elf Letters Bundle
Elf on the Shelf Return Ideas
If your Elf on the Shelf returns at Thanksgiving, take a look at this Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Thanksgiving. This includes Elf on the Shelf turkey ideas, Pilgrims, Native Americans, football and more.
You can also download our Free Gobble ‘Til You Wobble Elf on the Shelf Thanksgiving Letter Board. It is such a cute way to welcome Elf on the Shelf back and adds a cute little shake when you kids find the Elf on the Shelf Thanksgiving day or the day after.
I’m Back Elf on the Shelf
So oddly enough, our most popular from the full list of I’m Back Elf on the Shelf Ideas is our customizable I’m Back Sign . You can get it on Etsy and use it every year! Perhaps add the sign to an Elf on the Shelf Welcome Back Breakfast. That was easy!
Here is a fun story behind the sign. I was on 8 weeks of bed rest with my twins the year I did this Elf on the Shelf I’m Back Idea. That is my master bedroom window and I opened that window every day just to feel like I was outside. It was a miserable time. Also, I was responsible for 54 new creative Elf on the Shelf Ideas so photo shop and ordering Christmas Tradition Elf Accessories and Props on Etsy was my thing!
Elf on the Shelf Parade
Just like the New York City Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Christmas doesn’t begin until Santa arrives. Recreate this Elf on the Shelf Parade using an Elf balloon with Santa at the end of the assembly.
This parade idea comes with a free elf on the shelf printable banner.
Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas
After you get through your Elf on the Shelf Ideas for arrival, it is all smooth sailing from there, especially if you get our daily Elf on the Shelf emails with new ideas. We have a list of creative Elf on the Shelf ideas for arrival from Frugal Coupon Living and around the Elf on the Shelf Pinterest community to find the best Elf on the Shelf Ideas for reintroducing Elf into the home.
FedEx Package
Has the snow been too much. Is the weather making Elf’s travel from the North Pole difficult, Elf might come via a FedEx package. | The Lunchbox Memoirs
Airplane Arrival
If you have a toy airplane, plugin Christmas lights and give Elf the ultimate Runway Landing. The Christmas lights landing strip help the airplane find the way! | Pinterest Source
Super Hero Welcome Note
Have a super hero fan. Welcome your Elf with a free Elf on the Shelf welcome letter. | A Worthey Read
Hot Air Balloon Arrival
Up, up and away with this Hot Air Balloon Elf on the Shelf arrival idea. | Frugal Coupon Living
First Night Note
Use your letter board and write a message like the Elf on the Shelf note, Guess who is back. Letter board are great for writing messages all season long. make sure you check out our miniature Felt Letter Boards for Elf on the Shelf in the store. you can use anew one each day. | Natural Beach Living
Elf Thanksgiving Arrival
Just when you are about to take that next bite of turkey, you notice it. Elf on the Shelf in the Thanksgiving flower arrangement. | Frugal Coupon Living
See a huge list for more Elf on the Shelf Thanksgiving Arrival Ideas.
First Night Elf on the Shelf Ideas
We you excited about the above first night Elf on the Shelf Ideas – no?! Keep scrolling for more First Day Elf on the Shelf Ideas. Fly in on Santa mail, come in as a Thanksgiving Elf Turkey costume, arrive down the chimney with a message. More ideas below!
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Chimney Parachute Arrival
Why come through the front door, the chimney is so much easier. Elf Parachutes in with a sweet Elf note from Santa! | Carey Pace
Turkey Costume
If your Elf comes around Thanksgiving, turn him into a Thanksgiving turkey (the uncooked kind!) This is an easy DIY Elf on the Shelf Costume. | Frugal Coupon Living
Paper Airplane Arrival
Elf on the Shelf express mail from Santa – you remember how to fold a paper airplane, right? | Frugal Coupon Living
Welcome Breakfast
Have an Elf on the Shelf welcome breakfast. Remember elf loves pancakes, syrup, candy, syrup, spaghetti… oh and syrup! | Ice Cream Off Paper Plates
Balloon Arrival
I’m back! Elf returns with balloons and a message. Use Christmas wrapping paper to write your message. Be prepared to not sit in that chair all day unless you use our North Pole Elf on the Shelf moving grippers. | Pinterest Source
Elf on the Shelf Package
Special Delivery! Elf Brings the front porch packages. We found miniature packages at Hobby Lobby but Etsy has a cute selection. | Frugal Coupon Living
Welcome Elf on the Shelf
We have more welcome Elf on the Shelf ideas. Ideas for the yard, using gumdrops, a package and even an magic Elf on the Shelf door!
Elf Arrival Package
You’ve got mail! Elf on the Shelf arrives in a package – just poke a hole and have his/her head poke through. | Instagram Source
I’m Back Candy Message
Spell out an Elf on the Shelf first night message using gumdrops or M&Ms (or other candy) – I’m Back!| Frugal Coupon Living
Thanksgiving Pilgrim Elf
Is it Thanksgiving? Elf and his friend can return as Thanksgiving Pilgrims in this first night Elf on the Shelf idea. | Frugal Coupon Living
Mischievous Elf on the Shelf Idea
If you have a mischievous elf, arrive with the message – Let the games begin! It’s warning the Naughty Elf on the Shelf behavior might be beginning. | Source
Elf on the Shelf I’m Back Yard Sign
Spell it out with a yard sign. Yep, you can buy these! This might be the priciest Elf on the Shelf arrival idea, but man would it make a statement! | Card My Yard
Elf on the Shelf Door
You know fairy doors, well they also sell Elf magic doors – have your Elf enter the home using and Elf on the Shelf door. | Frugal Coupon Living
DIY Ornament Wreath Dollar Tree
For something frugal and cheap, make a DIY Ornament wreath for Elf on the Shelf. In just a short craft sprint, make this Dollar Tree Elf on the Shelf return wreath. This adorable idea comes from the adorable Elf on the Shelf duo, JamesandHolly.eots on Instagram.
Elf on the Shelf Advent Calendar
Another idea is to have your Elf bring the first of 24 Elf on the Shelf Advent Calendar Bible verses. They come in easy to read Christmas Scriptures that tell the story of Christ’s birth.
Free Elf Printables
We love sharing Elf on the Shelf free printables! Get all of our free Elf on the Shelf printables by entering your email address below. A link and password will arrive in your inbox!
Free Elf 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 Store Printables
We also have a Elf printables store to create the EASIEST Elf season ever! Download and print many of our popular Elf pritnables. Go from frantic to enjoying the season with a stress free season where we provide all the Elf on the Shelf ideas you need.
Elf on the Shelf 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!
Elf on the Shelf in a Balloon
Welcoming Elf back? Also see how to EASILY trap Elf on the Shelf in a Balloon (in under 10 minutes!) Pin to Pinterest.
Elf on the Shelf Free Printables
Enjoy this amazing list of Free Elf on the Shelf Printables. Pin to your printable, Christmas, and Elf on the Shelf boards.
The Largest List of Elf on the Shelf Ideas
Also stay with us all season long as we share our daily Elf on the Shelf Ideas! Hundreds of ideas for every night of the week! Pin to Pinterest on your Elf on the Shelf and Christmas boards.
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.
Last Updated on November 30, 2021 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living
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