Goodbye Elf on the Shelf Ideas: 25 Last Night and Christmas Eve Ideas (+ Free Goodbye Letter)
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After a month of zip-lines and green milk, the elf’s last night deserves a proper send-off. A good goodbye does two things: it makes Christmas Eve feel extra special, and it helps kids feel happy, not sad, when the elf leaves. These goodbye elf on the shelf ideas take 5 to 15 minutes and work with whatever you have at home.
Below you’ll find 25 last night and Christmas Eve ideas, a guide to building a Christmas Eve box, what to do with the elf after Christmas, and a free printable goodbye kit with a goodbye letter, a “nice list” certificate and Christmas Eve box tags.
Quick answer: In the story, the elf flies home with Santa on Christmas Eve, so the last night is December 24. Easy goodbye ideas: a goodbye letter with a small gift, a packed suitcase by the door, the elf sitting in a Christmas Eve box, a hot cocoa farewell party, a nice-list certificate, cookies set out for Santa, or the elf tracking Santa on the laptop. Hide the elf before the kids wake up on Christmas morning.
Key takeaways
- The elf’s last night is Christmas Eve; it’s gone by Christmas morning.
- A short goodbye letter is the heart of it. Add one memory from the month.
- Promise the elf will be back next year, so kids feel excited, not sad.
- A Christmas Eve box (pajamas, a book, cocoa) makes a lovely “last gift.”
- Skip glitter in reindeer food; plain oats are kinder to wildlife.
In this guide
When does the elf leave?
In the original picture book, the scout elf returns to the North Pole on Christmas Eve until the next holiday season. So the goodbye happens on the night of December 24, and the elf is gone when kids wake up on Christmas morning. Some families have the elf leave on the evening of the 24th so kids can say goodbye before bed.
Last night elf on the shelf ideas (goodbye setups)
Goodbye letter and a small gift
The classic last day idea: the elf sits by the tree holding a goodbye letter and one small gift, like a book or an ornament.
You need: a letter (free printable below), a small gift
Packed suitcase by the door
The elf sits on a matchbox “suitcase” by the front door with a tag: “North Pole. Leaving tonight!”
You need: a small box, a paper tag
Waiting in the Christmas Eve box
The elf sits on top of (or inside) the Christmas Eve box with a note: “One last surprise from me.”
You need: a Christmas Eve box
Hot cocoa farewell party
The elf sets out mugs for everyone with a sign: “Farewell party at 6 pm. Cocoa is on me!”
You need: mugs, cocoa
Nice list certificate
The elf leaves a certificate for each child with one kind thing they did this month.
You need: the free printable certificate
Goodbye banner
A paper banner says “See you next year!” with the elf sitting at one end, waving.
You need: paper, string, markers
Hugging the stuffed animals goodbye
The elf has its arms around each child’s favorite stuffed animal, saying goodbye to everyone.
You need: stuffed animals
Last zip-line to the door
One final zip-line from the tree to the front door, with a flag: “Heading home!”
You need: string, a clothespin
Resting for the big flight
The elf sleeps in a tissue-box bed with a note: “Big flight tonight. Need my rest!”
You need: a tissue box
Footprints to the door
Tiny paper footprints lead from the elf’s last spot to the front door or the fireplace.
You need: paper, tape
Christmas Eve elf on the shelf ideas
Cookies and milk for Santa
The elf sets out a plate and a cup with a note: “Santa’s favorite cookies are chocolate chip, just saying!”
You need: a plate, a cup
Reindeer food station
The elf leaves a bowl of plain oats and a scoop so kids can sprinkle reindeer food outside. Skip the glitter (see the tip below).
You need: plain rolled oats
Tracking Santa
The elf sits by the laptop or tablet open to the NORAD Tracks Santa website with a note: “Where is he now?”
You need: a laptop or tablet
Christmas Eve pajamas
The elf brings new pajamas for everyone and a note: “Wear these for my last night!”
You need: pajamas
Reading ’Twas the Night Before Christmas
The elf sits with the classic poem open, ready for the bedtime story.
You need: the book or a printed copy
A key for Santa
For homes without a chimney, the elf leaves a “magic key” for Santa on the door handle.
You need: a key or a paper key
Bell from Santa’s sleigh
The elf leaves one large jingle bell and a note: “Only people who believe can hear it ring.”
You need: a large jingle bell
Reindeer food tip: the RSPCA warns that many shop-bought reindeer food mixes contain ingredients that can be dangerous for animals, particularly edible glitter. Plain oats keep the tradition and are kinder to birds and wildlife.
Funny goodbye elf ideas
Trying to pack the tree
The elf has ribbon tied around a small branch of the tree with a note: “Can I take this home?”
You need: ribbon
Eating the last cookie
The elf sits by an empty cookie plate with crumbs: “Fuel for the flight!”
You need: cookies
Selfie album
The elf leaves printed photos of its favorite hiding spots from the month: “My December tour.”
You need: printed photos
A sign in the window
The elf waves from the window holding a sign: “Bye! Be good!”
You need: paper, a marker
Leaving a to-do list for next year
A list in the elf’s handwriting: “Next year: more cocoa, bigger zip-line, stay away from the dog.”
You need: paper, a pen
Packed snacks for the trip
The elf sits with a tiny bag of crackers: “Long flight. Packed snacks.”
You need: crackers, a small bag
Wrapped up in the stockings
The elf hides in the stockings with a note: “Do I count as a present?”
One last mess, then clean
The elf leaves a tiny pile of cotton-ball snow and a mini broom: “Sorry! Cleaning up before I go.”
You need: cotton balls
What to write in a goodbye letter from the elf
Keep it short, warm and personal. A good goodbye letter has five parts:
- Thank you: “Thank you for an amazing December!”
- A favorite memory: one real thing your child did, like helping a sibling or making a card.
- Why it’s leaving: “Tonight I fly home with Santa.”
- Something to keep doing: “Keep being kind and helping at home.”
- A promise: “I’ll be back next Christmas!”
The free goodbye kit below has a fill-in letter with all five parts. If your elf arrived with our arrival letter, the goodbye letter matches it.
Christmas Eve box ideas
A Christmas Eve box is a small box (or basket) opened on the night of December 24, full of things for a cozy evening. It’s a lovely “last gift” from the elf. Pick a few items by age:
| Age | Christmas Eve box ideas |
|---|---|
| Babies and toddlers | Soft pajamas, a board book, a plush toy, bath bubbles, a family photo ornament |
| Ages 3–7 | Pajamas, a Christmas picture book, hot cocoa, a movie for tonight, a small craft, a plush reindeer |
| Ages 8–12 | Pajamas, a chapter book, cocoa and a mug, a card game, a puzzle, cozy socks |
| Teens | Comfy pajama pants, a paperback, gourmet cocoa, a face mask set, a movie-night snack |
| Whole family | A board game, popcorn for older kids, a family movie, matching socks, a letter for each child |
For little ones, choose large, soft items. The American Academy of Pediatrics lists popcorn, marshmallows and hard candy among foods to hold back until at least age 4. For more gift ideas, see our best toys for 3-year-olds.
What to do with the elf after Christmas
- Hide it on Christmas Eve night. Put the elf away after the kids fall asleep, somewhere they won’t look: a high cupboard, a suitcase or a box in the garage.
- Have an answer ready: “She flew home with Santa last night. She’ll be back next December.”
- Save the letters. Keep this year’s goodbye letter and the kids’ notes in an envelope with the elf. Next year, the elf can “bring them back.”
- Write down what worked. A quick note of the favorite ideas makes next year’s planning even easier.
If your child is sad the elf is leaving
It’s normal for young kids to feel sad. Name the feeling (“You’re sad because you’ll miss her”), then point to what comes next: Christmas morning, and the elf coming back next year. A goodbye ritual helps: a hug for the elf box, a drawing to “send” with it, or a countdown chart on the fridge for next December.
If your child has started asking whether the elf is real, follow their lead. Many families answer with a question (“What do you think?”) and, when kids are ready, invite them to become “elf helpers” for a younger sibling. That keeps the fun going in a new role.
For ideas for the rest of the month, see our 50 easy elf on the shelf ideas, and for a calmer December overall, our holiday stress with kids guide.
Handy goodbye and Christmas Eve props
- A Christmas Eve box to fill with treats
- Christmas Eve pajamas for the last night
- ’Twas the Night Before Christmas for the bedtime story
- A Santa magic key for homes without a chimney
- Large jingle bells for the sleigh-bell surprise
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Frequently asked questions
When does the elf on the shelf leave?
In the story, the elf flies back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, so the last night is December 24. Parents put the elf away after the kids fall asleep, and it’s gone on Christmas morning.
What are good goodbye elf on the shelf ideas?
Try a goodbye letter with a small gift, a packed suitcase by the door, the elf waiting in a Christmas Eve box, a hot cocoa farewell party, a nice-list certificate, cookies set out for Santa or the elf tracking Santa online.
What should the elf’s goodbye letter say?
Say thank you for December, share one real memory of something kind your child did, explain that the elf is flying home with Santa, ask them to keep being kind, and promise to come back next Christmas.
What do you put in a Christmas Eve box?
Popular items are new pajamas, a Christmas book, hot cocoa, a movie for the evening, cozy socks, a small craft or game, and a letter from the elf. Choose large, soft items for toddlers.
What do I do with the elf after Christmas?
Hide it after the kids fall asleep on Christmas Eve, somewhere they won’t look. Keep the letters with it so the elf can bring them back next year.
What if my child is sad the elf is leaving?
Name the feeling, then focus on what comes next: Christmas morning and the elf’s return next year. A goodbye ritual, like a drawing to send with the elf, helps.
Is there a free elf goodbye letter printable?
Yes. FamilyDecode’s free Elf Goodbye Kit has a fill-in goodbye letter, a Nice List certificate and six Christmas Eve box tags.
The Elf on the Shelf® is a registered trademark of The Lumistella Company. FamilyDecode is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Lumistella Company. The ideas on this page work with any Christmas elf or toy.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org — Choking prevention
- RSPCA — Christmas reindeer food and wildlife
- Wikipedia — The Elf on the Shelf (history)
Keep going
The elf series: Arrival ideas · 50 easy elf ideas for every night · Goodbye ideas
More Christmas: 50 Christmas activities · Family Christmas traditions · All free printables