Elf On The Shelf Printables + Elf Retirement Letter

Keep your elf antics simple with our Elf on the Shelf Printables, including 30+ nightly ideas and a gentle retirement letter when you’re ready for the nightly shenanigans to stop!

Are you already feeling the excitement of the upcoming elf on the shelf season? Every year, I look forward to it, even if the nightly task of moving the elf can be a bit daunting. I know the joy it brings my kids each morning makes it all worthwhile!

To keep things easy and fun, I put together some Elf on the Shelf Printables, a list of over 30 ideas to help you stage your elf’s antics each night plus a retirement letter when it is time to bring the tradition to a close.

Why I love these printables

• No more last-minute ideas! I can just pick from my printables list and go.
• It brings out creative joy. Seeing my sons’ faces light up when they spot the elf is priceless, and these printables keep things easy and fun.

Nightly Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Print here for easy reference: Nightly Elf on the Shelf Ideas

Variations

You can personalize this printable by tweaking the list or adding themed ideas that fit your family’s holiday traditions. For instance, you could add specific notes that reflect funny moments or “inside jokes” you share as a family. This small touch makes the elf’s nightly mischief feel even more personal and tailored to your household.

Ideas for using this printable

• Random Nightly Selection: Cut out each idea, fold it, and draw one every night.
• Last-Minute Magic: Use the idea list as a backup for nights when you’re feeling stumped.
• Goodbye Message: Use the retirement letter for the day your elf is ready to “retire.”

If you download this printable please comment below, I love hearing from you!

Bonus: Elf retirement letter

For those times when it’s ready to be your elf’s final season, I have a retirement letter printable just for you!

This “retirement” letter gently wraps up the tradition by congratulating your child on their good behavior and officially “retiring” your elf from their scout duties.

Download the Elf Retirement Letter

It gives your children permission to touch and play with the elf, so they can have a final goodbye.

I’ll be using this when I feel like my youngest is ready, as a soft way to bring closure to our Elf on the Shelf adventures.

Update 2024: It’s hard to believe but I wrote this blog post and created these printables when my three boys were all in elementary school and now we are doing college tours and getting ready for high school graduation for my eldest!

I’m happy to say that when the time came to have their elf “retire” the entire process went very well and our good friend “Elfie” still comes out each year with the other holiday decorations and is part of our family Christmas without the nightly antics!