25 Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas That'll Get Your Kids Properly Excited

Your Elf needs to make an entrance, and you need it to happen without staying up until midnight crafting an elaborate scene.

I've pulled together 25 arrival ideas that work for first-timers and families welcoming their Elf back for another year.

Free Elf Calendar: Grab our free planner with suggestions for every day during December and a free blank version for coming up with your own ideas. And look out for the free printable arrival letters later in this post. 

25 Elf on the Shelf Arrival Ideas To Get Kids Excited

You'll find quick setups that use things already in your house, plus ideas for introducing a second Elf if your collection's growing. Each idea includes what you need and how to set it up.

First-Time Arrival Ideas

Here are some great ways to introduce the Elf for the very first time... 

Doorway Surprise With Balloons

Tape your Elf to three or four balloons and hang them in a doorway your kids use first thing in the morning. Tuck the printable 'I'm Here!' letter into the balloon strings.

Your Elf looks like they floated straight from the North Pole and landed exactly where they'd be spotted. Takes about five minutes to set up the night before.

Snow Angel Landing

Sprinkle flour on a dark baking tray to create snow. Position your Elf in the middle making a snow angel shape. Prop the arrival letter against a nearby salt shaker.

This setup takes two minutes and sweeps up easily. Your kids get a clear story: the Elf just landed.

Zipline Entry

String ribbon from a high point (curtain rod works well) down to your landing spot. Attach your Elf to the line with a paperclip.

Place the printable letter where they land. It looks like your Elf ziplined straight into your home.

Hot Cocoa Welcome

Set up two mugs at the kitchen table... one regular-sized, one shot glass for your Elf. Sit your Elf at the table with their tiny mug and prop the arrival letter nearby.

You can skip actual cocoa and use brown paper circles cut to fit inside the mugs. Or do this the night before and add real cocoa in the morning if you're feeling fancy.

Breakfast Announcement

Set your breakfast table with the arrival letter as a placemat at each child's spot. Position your Elf in the centre of the table.

This works particularly well if you're doing pancakes or something special anyway. Your Elf becomes part of the morning routine right from day one.

Suitcase Arrival

Pack a small box with cotton balls (snow), candy canes, and your Elf. Leave it partially unzipped with your Elf climbing out and the arrival letter visible inside.

Kids love seeing what the Elf "brought" with them. The story tells itself.

Window Ledge Landing

Place your Elf on an inside window ledge with their face pressed against the glass. Tape the arrival letter to the window next to them.

From your kids' view, it looks like the Elf just arrived and is waiting to be let in. Simple but effective.

Christmas Tree Campout

Nestle your Elf in your Christmas tree branches with a small washcloth as a sleeping bag. Attach the arrival letter to a branch at kid eye-level.

If your tree isn't up yet, this gives you the perfect reason to get it done. Your Elf can "help" with decorating over the next few days.

Return Visit Ideas

These are some great ways to reintroduce the Elf into your home. 

Stuck in the Chimney

Position your Elf upside down, dangling from a high spot (mantel, bookshelf, door frame) with just their legs showing. Place the 'I'm Back!' letter on the floor below them.

Use clear tape on their legs to secure them. It looks like they got stuck trying to make their entrance.

Tangled in Lights

Wrap your Elf loosely in a string of Christmas lights (unplugged). Set them on the couch with the return letter nearby.

The story writes itself. They got tangled on the way back and need to be freed.

Marshmallow Snowball Fight

Build a "fort" from books or boxes. Position your Elf behind it, surrounded by mini marshmallows. Scatter more marshmallows around like they've been throwing them.

Place the 'I'm Back!' letter propped against the fort. Your Elf came back ready to play.

Toilet Paper Slide

Unroll toilet paper from a bathroom counter or stairs to create a slide. Position your Elf at the bottom with the return letter.

Yes, you'll need to reroll it. But it takes 30 seconds and looks impressive for minimal effort.

Fishing for Goldfish

Set your Elf next to a bowl of Goldfish crackers with a candy cane "fishing rod" (tie thread to the curved end). Scatter a few crackers near the Elf with the return letter beside them.

Your Elf got hungry on the journey back and stopped for a snack.

Packing Peanut Pit

Fill a large bowl with packing peanuts or popcorn. Bury your Elf in it with just their head and hands showing. Set the return letter on the edge.

This looks like your Elf dove into a snow pile. Kids love digging them out.

Welcome Home Banner

String up a "Welcome Back!" banner using paper and ribbon. Position your Elf holding one end with the return letter at their feet.

You can make the banner in five minutes with letter stickers on a long piece of paper. Your Elf made their own welcome sign.

Caught in Garland

Wrap your Elf in Christmas garland on the staircase banister or along a hallway. Place the 'I'm Back!' letter at the end of the garland trail.

The garland's probably already out, so this uses what you have. They got wrapped up in decorations on their way in.

Ideas for Introducing a Second Elf

And here are some ideas for introducing a second Elf into the mix... 

Double Zipline

Set up two ziplines (ribbon or yarn) coming from different directions but meeting at the same landing spot. Attach both Elves to their lines with the 'I'm Back With a Friend!' letter at the meeting point.

This shows they travelled together but took different routes. Your kids get to see both Elves "arrive" at once.

Piggyback Ride

Position one Elf giving the other a piggyback ride on the kitchen counter. Place the introduction letter in front of them.

This immediately shows the Elves are friends. It's also one of the easier two-Elf poses to set up without things toppling over.

Tea Party Introduction

Set up a tiny tea party with two shot glasses, some biscuits or crackers, and both Elves seated across from each other. Put the letter between them.

Your original Elf is introducing their friend over tea. Takes about three minutes to arrange.

Seesaw Partners

Create a seesaw using a ruler and a rolled washcloth as the fulcrum. Position both Elves on opposite ends with the introduction letter propped nearby.

This shows them playing together right from the start. The seesaw usually stays balanced if you position them carefully.

Photo Booth Fun

Set up a small "photo booth" with a phone propped up on selfie mode. Position both Elves in front of it like they're taking a selfie together. Add the letter nearby.

Kids love seeing the Elves take photos. You can even snap an actual photo to show them later.

Tandem Swing

Tie two ribbons from a curtain rod or cabinet handle. Create little swings by tying loops at the bottom. Sit both Elves in the swings with the introduction letter below.

This looks complicated but takes about five minutes. The Elves are literally hanging out together.

Building a Snowman

Stack three marshmallows to create a tiny snowman. Position both Elves next to it with the introduction letter and some extra "snow" (flour or cotton balls) around them.

They built something together on their first night back. Team effort from the start.

Sharing Hot Cocoa

Set up one mug with both Elves positioned on opposite sides, each holding a candy cane "straw." Prop the introduction letter against the mug.

They're sharing a drink after their long journey. It's cosy and shows they're already friends.

Quick Setup Ideas for Rushed Mornings

Really up against it (AKA completely forgot?!) Here are some quick fire ideas... 

Sleeping In

Place your Elf in a small box with a washcloth as a blanket. Set the arrival letter next to them.

The story: they arrived late and went straight to sleep. This takes 60 seconds to set up and looks intentional.

Hanging Around

Use a piece of ribbon to hang your Elf from a doorknob, cabinet pull, or light fixture. Tape the letter to the door or cabinet below them.

One ribbon, one piece of tape, done. Your Elf is literally just hanging out until the kids wake up.

Cereal Box Surprise

Tuck your Elf into the front of a cereal box with the arrival letter taped to it. Leave it on the breakfast table.

Your kids will spot it when they reach for breakfast. Zero decorating required.

Simple Shelf Sit

Position your Elf sitting on a bookshelf with legs dangling over the edge. Place the arrival letter in their lap or propped next to them.

Sometimes simple works best. Your Elf found a good spot and settled in with their letter.

Candy Cane Trail

Create a trail of candy canes leading from your front door to where your Elf is sitting with their arrival letter.

This takes two minutes and uses candy you probably have. The trail shows the path your Elf took to get inside.

Free Elf Arrival Letters

Each of these scenes works better with an introduction letter. I've created three free printable options with four different designs:

• 'I'm Here!' letters for your Elf's first-ever visit
• 'I'm Back!' letters for returning Elves
• 'I'm Back With a Friend!' for introducing a second Elf

The letters save you from writing something clever at 11pm when you're setting up the scene. They're ready to go, and your kids get the full story right away.

Take a look at the letters here and download the free set containing all four designs. 

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