My Collection of Free Elf on the Shelf Printables to Make Your Holiday Season Easier and More Magical
If you're anything like me, you love the magic of Elf on the Shelf but sometimes need a little help keeping the tradition fresh, exciting, and - most of all - manageable. That's exactly why I designed this collection of free Elf on the Shelf printables – to give you ready-to-use notes and letters that make those December morning Elf on the Shelf discoveries even more special for them yet simple for you!
This is the first post in my complete Elf on the Shelf series! Keep your eye out for future posts, where I'll share fun Elf on the Shelf activities, creative setup ideas, and kindness-focused elf ideas.
These free Elf on the Shelf printables are for you to use throughout the season. These general note templates include everything from an "I'm Back!" arrival letter to behavior observation reports, and they're designed to make your Elf on the Shelf tradition easier while keeping that Christmas magic alive for your little ones.
These Elf on the Shelf printables are a wonderful starting point for any great elf tradition. Whether this is your first year with an elf or you're a seasoned pro looking for fresh ideas, these free printable notes and my Elf on the Shelf series will become your go-to resource throughout the holiday season!
Why Elf on the Shelf Printables Make the Holiday Tradition So Much Easier
As a mom of three with a background in education, I know how overwhelming the holiday season can be. Between shopping, decorating, baking cookies, and managing regular family life, sometimes that elf feels like one more thing on your already-full plate. That's where Elf on the Shelf printables become absolute lifesavers!
Simply grab one of the ready-to-use note templates and create instant moments of joy and wonder for your kids! Plus, your kids will absolutely love finding official-looking documents from the North Pole! These free Elf on the Shelf printables make the whole experience feel more real and special.
What's Included in My Free Elf on the Shelf Printables Collection
I've created a comprehensive collection of Elf on the Shelf printables to cover all of the essential notes and letters that your elf will need throughout December! Each printable has been designed with festive colors, playful fonts, and that official North Pole feel!
These are general note templates that work with any elf tradition. They're the communications your elf uses to connect with your children – not activity instructions or elaborate setup plans (those are coming in future posts in this series!). Think of these as your elf's voice throughout the season!
Elf Arrival Letter: "I'm Back!" Printable
The arrival letter is where the magic begins each year! This "I'm Back!" Elf on the Shelf printable announces your elf's return from the North Pole and sets the tone for the entire holiday season. This letter explains that your elf has been busy helping Santa prepare for Christmas and is excited to return to your family.
How to use the "I'm Back!" printable:
Use this free printable on the first morning your elf arrives. Place it next to your elf in an obvious spot where your kids will find it first thing in the morning - it could be in a frame, on a clipboard, or simply next to your elf! Be sure to sign your Elf's name after the heart!
Some fun setup ideas:
- Pair the arrival letter with a special breakfast scene or treats. For example, place your elf sitting on the kitchen table with the letter propped up against a glass of milk and some cookies
- Tape the letter to the bathroom mirror where kids will definitely see it during their morning routine.
This printable sets clear expectations from day one, which honestly makes your job easier for the rest of December. Kids know the rules, they understand why the elf is there, and they're reminded about making good choices!
Official Behavior Report from the North Pole
This is probably my favorite Elf on the Shelf printable in the collection, and here's why – it gives you a gentle way to address behavior and is such a fun way for your elf to "communicate" with your kids. The Official Behavior Report looks like it came straight from Santa's desk at the North Pole, complete with checkboxes for "naughty" or "nice" and a note section for elf observations.
Strategic ways to use the behavior report:
You can use this free printable to report with some gentle observations about what needs improvement or - if your kids have been making amazing choices - the elf can leave a glowing report that reinforces their good behavior!
I love using this behavior report printable at least once a week as holiday excitement builds! It's a playful reminder that Santa's watching, delivered by their beloved elf friend. Fill out the observations section with specific behaviors you've noticed – both positive things ("You helped your little brother tie his shoes!") and areas for growth ("Remember to use inside voices").
Dear Santa Letter Template
Every child needs to write their letter to Santa, and this Dear Santa printable makes it special. Kids can use this beautiful, festive template – perfect for sending to the North Pole!
How to use the Dear Santa letter:
Have your elf deliver this free printable when it's time for kids to write their Christmas lists! Place the letter next to the elf with some festive pens or markers, and maybe even include an addressed envelope for extra magic. Kids will love filling out their wishes on this special template!
But here's where you can get really creative with this Elf on the Shelf printable: use it as a writing practice opportunity! For younger children who are still learning to write, they can dictate their letter to you while practicing letter recognition. For older kids, encourage them to write in complete sentences and think about others – maybe they want to include wishes for family members or children who need extra help this Christmas.
Some families use this Dear Santa letter multiple times throughout December, having kids update their lists or add notes about kind things they've done. You could even have your elf leave a note suggesting that kids write about what they're thankful for instead of just what they want – sneaking in that gratitude lesson during the holiday season!
Goodbye Letter for Elf's Christmas Eve Departure
The end of the elf season can be bittersweet for kids, and this "Goodbye!" Elf on the Shelf printable helps provide closure and set expectations for next year. This farewell letter explains that the elf must return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve to help Santa with his big night.
Making the goodbye special:
Use this free printable on Christmas Eve morning. The goodbye letter is a special message about how proud the elf was to watch your children this year and how excited he or she is to return next December.
Integrating Printables with Your Complete Elf on the Shelf Experience
My free Elf on the Shelf printables are the communication foundation of your elf tradition. As part of my complete Elf on the Shelf series here on the blog, I'm sharing everything you need to make this tradition easier, more meaningful, and more fun throughout the holiday season!
The complete Elf on the Shelf series includes:
- This post gives you the essential notes and letters between the North Pole and your home.
- In upcoming posts, I'll be sharing fun and hands-on elf learning activities, general setup ideas to inspire where and how you position your elf each morning, and my personal favorite – kindness elf ideas that focus on giving back during the holidays.
The elf tradition is about creating magical moments, teaching values, and building family traditions that your kids will remember forever. That's why I'm focusing this series on simple, meaningful approaches that work for real families with busy lives. These printable notes handle the communication piece, while the other posts in the series will cover the rest!
Making the elf tradition work for your family:
The beauty of using these free Elf on the Shelf printables is that they adapt to whatever style of elf tradition you want to create! If you're a embrace-the-basics elf family, these free printable notes give you instant communication options that require zero creativity late at night. Simply move the elf, add a note, and you're done!
If you love creating elaborate elf scenes, these printable notes add storytelling elements to your setups. The behavior observation note can sit beside your elf wherever he or she lands. The Dear Santa letter can be left at any spot as an invitation for your child to write. The arrival and goodbye letters create bookend moments that ground whatever you do in between in the larger elf story.
Throughout this series, I'll be sharing ideas for elf activities (what your kids DO with the elf), setup inspiration (where and how you position your elf), and kindness concepts (focusing the tradition on giving). These printables work with any approach you take!
Download your Free Elf on the Shelf Printables
Your Turn to Play!
Building your family's unique tradition:
Every family's elf tradition is unique, and that's exactly how it should be! These Elf on the Shelf printables are tools to help you create whatever version works for your household. Maybe you use all of them, maybe just a few. Maybe you stick to the straightforward approach or get creative with how you display them. There's no right or wrong way – there's only your way!
As you use these printables throughout December, you're building traditions that will last for years - your kids may even want to save their favorite letters!
So download these free Elf on the Shelf printables, print them out, and take a deep breath. You've got this, mama. The holiday season is going to be magical for your kids, and these simple printables are going to make it easier for you. That's a winning combination in my book!
And don't forget to check out the rest of my Elf on the Shelf series for even more ideas, activities, and inspiration to make this tradition special for your family. Because you deserve support, encouragement, and practical tools that actually make your life easier during the holiday season. That's what we're all about here at Stay at Home Activity Mom!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. All recommendations are based on items I personally use and love with my own children.
Written by Brittany, Stay at Home Activity Mom
Brittany is a former elementary school teacher turned stay-at-home mom of three. Passionate about children learning through play, she began sharing her simple, hands-on, and education activities on her Instagram @stayathomeactivitymom so that other parents could see how fun this type of at-home learning can be.
