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 coming up with festive ways to entertain our elf kids, sometimes the stress of “magic” is a little too much during this fun holiday season. Fortunately, we are at the point where all our hard work is almost over.
But, how do you end the magic without making your kids sad? Here are 13 clever Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter templates and some Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Ideas to make the transition a little easier.
13 Fun and Clever Elf on the Shelf Farewell Letter Ideas
Goodbye For Today Elf on the Shelf Letter
The most classic way to say goodbye to your Elf (until next year) is to leave them a personalized note detailing all the happy memories they had with your child during the holiday season. There are plenty of templates online for this or if you’re really crafty, you can make one yourself.
Here are some FREE Printable Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter Templates!
Pasta La Vista, Baby!
There’s nothing wrong with a simple goodbye until next Christmas season. Find some letter pasta (cereal is also an option!) and spell your Elf on the Shelf a goodbye message from your Elf to the family.
Reindeer food
Your Elf can do one last good deed before heading back to the North Pole. Have a recipe left to make reindeer food that can be left out with the cookies on Christmas Eve.
‘Vanishing Elf on the Shelf Farewell Letter
You can send the Elves away as gracefully as they come. Check out this printable outline, which you can use to outline any mirror or window in your home. Don’t forget to leave a little goodbye message in the fog too.
Make a Goodbye Video
Embrace the digital age by creating a special “Video Goodbye” from Elf. Record a heartwarming video message in which the Elf reflects on the happy moments shared during the holiday season and expresses gratitude for the happy times. The video can include a montage of photos or scenes where the Elf is found each day, adding a personalized touch.
This digital keepsake can be treasured and looked back on by children for years to come, serving as a modern, engaging way to say goodbye to their holiday companion. This approach not only adds a unique twist to the farewell but also incorporates technology into holiday traditions, making it especially appealing to the tech-savvy younger generation.
Epic Mischief Letter
Sometimes you just have to go out with a bang. Choose the funniest most creative option out of all the Elf ideas you’ve seen and make it last morning. We personally love him floating away in a makeshift hot air balloon made of underwear, of course.
Interactive Farewell
Enhance the magic of the Elf on the Shelf farewell with an interactive farewell. It can be a playful scavenger hunt designed by the Elf, leaving clues and little treats around the house, leading to a final goodbye letter.
This fun activity not only makes the farewell memorable but also encourages children on a fun and active quest, turning the farewell into a joyful adventure. It’s a perfect way to combine the excitement of the holidays with a heartwarming conclusion to the Elf’s visit.
Elf and a suitcase
If your Elf is heading out of town, they’ll obviously need a suitcase, right? This farewell option can be as elaborate or as simple as you like. Suitcases are easy to make from old jewelry boxes and pipe cleaners.
Goodbye Hugs & Kisses
This is a sweet Elf on the Shelf goodbye letter that we used last year and our kids still talk about it to this day. It is very difficult for little ones to resist touching the Elf throughout the Christmas season. Leave a letter telling them for a day that Santa lifted the magic and allow them to give the Elf a hug and kiss goodbye.
Elf Memory Book
Your kids have so much fun waking up and finding their Elf every day, and they might miss him when he’s gone. This family came up with a great idea to remember the Elf throughout the year; a Elf yearbook!
Elf Travel Map
Create an attractive “Journey Map of the Elf” to visually depict the Elf’s return to the North Pole. This can be a craft project where the kids help plot 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 stimulates children’s imaginations but also provides a gentle and engaging way to count down the last days of the Elf’s stay, building anticipation for his return next year.
Christmas PJs and the Cookie Plate
Christmas Pjs and a setting for Santa’s cookies and milk are essential on Christmas Eve. Your Elf can set both to find before they leave.
Goodbye Forever Letter
We are sad to say that the Elf days with your family are coming to an end. Your little ones will start to grow out of the magic or you’ll find yourself too busy to keep up with the elaborate technique. Whatever the case, don’t just quit her cold turkey. Give all the goodbyes necessary to keep the memories alive.
We absolutely adore this example of a timeless goodbye letter at Good Housekeeping. It explains all the lessons your child can learn from this seemingly funny mischief and leaves the Elf as a memory for your child’s future.
Saying goodbye to your Elf on the Shelf can be an unforgettable and engaging experience for you and your children. With creative approaches like an interactive scavenger hunt, a whimsical Elf’s Journey Map, and a heartfelt Digital Goodbye video, families can make this annual farewell a fun and meaningful tradition.
These ideas not only keep the magic of the Elf’s visit alive but also foster a sense of closure and hope for the upcoming holiday season!
Do you have other Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter Ideas? Let us know in the comments, we’re always looking for more ideas.
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Pin for Later – Clever Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Ideas (AND Printable!)
Amber is the CEO and mom in charge of Rookie Moms! She is raising six amazing people and has been through a lot as a mom including high risk pregnancies (preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome), adoption, navigating special needs, working from home, and more. Now he’s on a mission to pass on the knowledge he’s learned… from one mama to another!
