What an elf letter is
An elf letter is usually one short paragraph, not a full page. It might announce that an elf has arrived, comment on something small in the house, or say goodbye on Christmas Eve. The tone is playful and slightly conspiratorial: the elf notices things, makes a small joke, and asks for one easy thing, such as a tidy shelf or a carrot for the reindeer. It is not a report card and it should not carry bad-behavior warnings.
Arrival, mid-season, goodbye
Arrival: “I am here. I brought my own pencil.” Mid-season: one small observation and one easy challenge. Goodbye: a thank-you for the month and a promise to come back next year.
Three notes across December is plenty. More than that and the elf becomes another task on the list.
The tone: brief, playful, specific
One or two sentences are enough. Name something the elf could plausibly have seen: the new tooth, the tower of books by the bed, the carrot left out. Then add one small, doable challenge. Avoid sarcasm, comparisons and anything that sounds like surveillance. The elf is a guest, not a hall monitor.
Three example notes
Example 1 — arrival.
Hello, Mia. I made it. The flight was long and my hat is still full of snow. I have found a spot on the shelf and I will try not to knock anything over.
— Pip
Example 2 — mid-season.
Dear Mia,
I saw you put your shoes away without being asked. The floor looks excellent. Tomorrow, could you water the little plant by the window? It is thirsty.
— Pip
Example 3 — goodbye.
Dear Mia,
I have to go back tonight. Thank you for the quiet company and the good hiding places. I will tell the reindeer about you. See you next December.
— Pip
Names and sign-offs
Use the name your family already uses, or let the child name the elf. If you need a generic sign-off, “Head Elf”, “Workshop Elf No. 12” or “Scout Elf Pip” all work. Keep the same name across the month so the notes feel like one character. A tiny handwritten signature at the bottom does more than a fancy font.
A note on Elf on the Shelf
This is a generic elf letter template. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Elf on the Shelf or any other elf brand. If your family uses an elf doll, the template is a plain note you can adapt; do not reproduce a copyrighted poem or character story. The free version includes three generated letters a day and the three free stationery designs.
Printing tiny letters
Print the note at 100% on US Letter, then reduce it to 50–60% on a photocopier if you want a small note that fits next to an elf. The stationery stays legible at that size if you keep the text short. Skip tiny props around children under three, and keep glitter and small bells out of reach of pets.
Free and paid letter packs
Three elf letters a day are free with the three free stationery designs. A one-time $4.99 letter pack adds 10 credits — one letter each after the free daily allowance — plus six premium designs, the Nice List certificate, the North Pole envelope and no footer branding.