It’s the most wonderful time of the year (for parents that is). It’s time for the Elf on the Shelf to return to the North Pole. While I really enjoy finding festive ways to keep our elf kids entertained, sometimes the stress of “magic” gets a little too much during this crazy holiday season. Fortunately, we are at the point where all our hard work is almost done.
But, how do you end the magic without your kids being sad? Here are 13 smart Elf on the Shelf goodbye letter templates and some Elf on the Shelf goodbye ideas to make the transition a little easier.
13 Fun & Clever Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter Ideas
Farewell for now Elf on the Shelf Letter
The most classic way to say goodbye to your Elf (until next year) is to leave them a personalized letter detailing all the fun memories they had with your child over the festive season. There are tons of templates online for this, or if you’re really crafty, you can make one yourself.
Here are some FREE Printable Goodbye to the Shelf Letter Templates!
La Vista pasta, baby!
Nothing wrong with a simple goodbye until next Christmas season. Find some pasta letters (cereal is an option too!) and write your Elf on the Shelf farewell message to the family.
Food for reindeer
Your elf can do one last good deed before heading back to the North Pole. Have them leave out a recipe to make some reindeer food that you can leave with the cookies on Christmas Eve.
‘The Vanishing’ Elf on the Shelf Farewell Letter
You can let the elves leave as magically as they arrived. Check out this printable border that you can use to make a border out of any mirror or window in your home. Don’t forget to leave a little farewell message in the fog too.
Make a goodbye video
Embrace the digital age by creating a special ‘Video Goodbye’ from Elf. Record a touching video message in which the Elf reflects on the happy times they shared during the holiday season and expresses gratitude for the fun times. The video can include a montage of images or scenes where the Elf was found each day, adding a personalized touch.
This digital keepsake can be cherished and revisited by children for years to come, serving as a modern, exciting way to say goodbye to their festive companion. Not only does this approach add a unique twist to the farewell, but it also incorporates technology into holiday traditions, making it especially appealing to the tech-savvy younger generation.
Epic Naughty Letter
Sometimes you just have to go out with a bang. Choose the funniest most creative selection of all the Elves ideas you have seen and start it on the last morning. We personally love him floating in a makeshift hot air balloon made of underwear, of course.
Interactive goodbye
Enhance the magic of the Elf on the Shelf farewell with an interactive farewell. This can be a playful scavenger hunt designed by the Elf, leaving clues and little treats around the house, leading to a final farewell letter.
This fun activity not only makes the goodbye memorable, but engages children in a joyful and active quest, turning the farewell into a festive adventure. It’s a perfect way to combine holiday excitement with a heartwarming ending to the Elf’s visit.
Elf and a suitcase
If your elf is going out of town, he’s obviously going to need a suitcase right? This goodbye option can be as complex or as simple as you’d like. It’s easy to make suitcases out of old jewelry cases and pipe cleaners.
Goodbye Hugs & Kisses
This is a sweet Elf on the Shelf goodbye letter that we used last year and our kids are still talking about it today. It’s so hard for little ones to resist touching the Elf all Christmas season. Leave a letter telling them about it one day Santa lifted the magic and allows them to give the Elf a hug and a kiss goodbye.
Elven memory book
Your kids have so much fun waking up and finding their Elf every day, and they might miss him a bit once he’s gone. This family had a great idea to remember the Elf all year long. one Elf yearbook!
Elf travel map
Create an enchanting “Elf Journey Map” to visually depict the elf’s return to the North Pole. This can be a craft project where children can help plan the Elf’s journey on a map, with imaginative stops along the way.
Each day leading up to Christmas, add new details or locations to the map, such as a stop at Candy Cane Lane or a detour to Starry Skies. This activity not only fuels children’s imaginations, but also provides a gentle and engaging way to count down the final days of the Elf’s stay, building anticipation for his return next year.
Christmas PJs and the plate of cookies
Christmas Pjs and a cookie and milk Santa arrangement are essential for Christmas Eve. Your elf can start both to find them before they leave.
Goodbye forever letter
We regret to admit that the days of Elf with your family will eventually come to an end. Your little ones will start to outgrow the magic or you’ll be too busy to keep up with the intricate design. Either way, don’t just cut him off cold turkey. Give everyone the farewell they deserve to keep the memories alive.
We absolutely love this example of a forever goodbye letter for Good Housekeeping. It explains all the lessons your child can learn from what seemed like a funny evil and leaves the Elf as a memento for your child’s future.
Saying goodbye to your Elf on the Shelf can be an unforgettable and exciting experience for both you and your children. Through creative approaches like an interactive scavenger hunt, a whimsical Elf Journey Map and a heartfelt Digital Goodbye video, families can turn this annual farewell into an enjoyable and meaningful tradition.
These ideas not only preserve the magic of the Elf’s visit, but also encourage a sense of closure and anticipation for future holiday seasons!
Do you have other ideas for the Elf on the Shelf Goodbye letters? Let us know in the comments, we’re always looking for more ideas.
You may also enjoy:
THE MOST CREATIVE ELF ON THE SHELVES 2023
99 GIRL AND BOY ELF ON THE SHELF NAMES FROM MOVIES & MORE
THE PERFECT HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2023 (IDEAS FOR ALL AGES)
Pin for Later – Clever Elf on the Shelf Goodbye ideas (AND printables!)
Amber is the CEO and mom in charge at Rookie Moms! She is raising six amazing people and has been through a lot as a mom, including a high-risk pregnancy (pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome), adoption, navigating special needs, working from home, and more. Now she’s on a mission to pass on the knowledge she’s learned… from one mom to another!
