Elf on the Shelf Arrival Letter Printable Template (FREE!)

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Welcome Your Elf with this Elf on the Shelf arrival letter.

Christmas time is almost here, which means it’s time to prepare for the arrival of your family’s Christmas Elf.

Marking your elf’s arrival in a fun way is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season and get your kids excited about your elf’s visit.

While you could create an elaborate celebration for your elf’s arrival, sometimes its best to keep things simple! One of the easiest ways to welcome your elf home is with a cute welcome letter.

What is an Elf on Shelf Arrival Letter?

A welcome letter is a fun way to welcome the Elf on the Shelf to your home.

Whether you’re inviting a new elf to your home this year or just awaiting the arrival of your family’s elf from the North Pole, a welcome letter is a great way to get your kids excited about the annual tradition.

While the Elf in the Shelf comes with a book explaining the rules of owning an elf, this cute Elf on the Shelf welcome letter printable is a way to make the tradition a little more your own.

An Elf on the Shelf returns letter is perfect for families who have already had an elf visit their home in the past because your kids are probably already familiar with the ins and outs of having an elf visit. The simple poem in my printable welcome letter is a great way to let them know that the elf is back!

This year, I’m going to make preparing for your Elf on the Shelf to arrive super easy for you with this fun Elf on the Shelf arrival letter template printable.

You can print out the full letter below or print a blank template to write out your own message. Here is the text of my printable Elf on the Shelf welcome letter:

Dear ______________,
Christmas time is finally here.
And it’s my favorite time of year!
Because I get to visit my friends
And stay until the season ends.
I’ll surprise you every day,
As I find a new place to stay.
Every night, to the North Pole I go
After that, I make my way home
But I may get into mischief as I roam!
To keep my magic safe, please do not touch.
For that, I’ll thank you very much!
Merry Christmas!

This cute poem is great for welcoming your elf to your home for the first time or welcoming him back to your house year after year.

When Does the Elf on the Shelf Come?

The date of your elf’s arrival depends totally on you and your family!

Typically, your elf will arrive around the same time you start celebrating the Christmas season and returns back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve with Santa.

The official Elf Return Week runs from November 23 to December 1, according to the Elf on the Shelf website.

To make the most of his arrival, pick a day that is special to your family. Weekends are a great time to welcome your elf to your home because you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy his arrival together as a family.

In my home, we try to have the Elf make his arrival on the day after Thanksgiving. This doesn’t always happen, but that is our goal.

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Ways to Make Your Welcome Letter Special

Your kids will love receiving this cute letter as-is, but there are always ways to make this tradition a little more special!

If you’re looking for a unique way to deliver this fun printable, why not try one of these ideas? Here are some fun ways to make your Elf on the Shelf welcome letter special this year:

Sign the letter with your elf’s name using a glitter pen
Fold the letter up and place it in an envelope with some glitter or snowflake confetti inside for a sparkly surprise when your kids open the envelope
Deliver the letter with a fun breakfast, snack, or small gift
Hide the elf and the letter and let the kids search the house to find them
Print the blank template and write your own welcome letter from your elf
Print both the letter and the blank template and ask your kids to write a letter to the elf after he arrives
Dress your elf in a cute new outfit for their first day back at home
Use a new Elf on the Shelf accessory along with the letter to welcome your elf to your home

There are so many fun ways to start this new Christmas tradition with your family.

Download your welcome letter here.