After spending the holiday season with your family showcasing crafty surprises and reporting nightly to Santa, it’s time for your Scout Elf to return to the North Pole! According to The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, the night before Christmas, an elf’s job comes to an end. On December 24, most Scout Elves say farewell to their families and fly back to the North Pole following Santa’s sleigh. This way, they can help him begin preparing for the year ahead. Read on to find a few reasons why some elves may be granted special permission to stay a bit longer.
- They need extra time to complete their important Christmas duty. If your family was away during the holidays, your elf might stay a while longer to continue scouting good behavior to report to Santa.
- They wanted to celebrate one more holiday together—Christmas day. Sometimes, kids write notes to Santa asking permission for their elves to stay and watch them open presents before flying back!
- Their arrival was delayed, so Santa extended their departure. If your Scout Elf got a late start arriving at the beginning of the season, Santa may extend their stay a bit, so they have ample time to visit your family.
Are your little ones sad their elf headed back? Find out why your elf had to return to the North Pole!
As a seasoned enthusiast and expert in the magical world of holiday traditions, particularly The Elf on the Shelf phenomenon, I can attest to a deep understanding of the intricacies surrounding the Scout Elves and their annual journey back to the North Pole. My knowledge in this area is not just based on casual observation but stems from a genuine passion for exploring the nuances of this cherished Christmas tradition.
Now, let's delve into the concepts embedded in the article and shed light on the magical reasons why Scout Elves bid farewell on December 24:
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Elf’s Christmas Duty:
The article mentions that some elves may need extra time to complete their important Christmas duty. This duty primarily involves scouting and monitoring the behavior of children to report back to Santa. This underscores the magical responsibility these elves hold, emphasizing the importance of their mission in making sure Santa's list is accurate.
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Family Absence During the Holidays:
Another intriguing aspect highlighted is the possibility of elves staying longer if the family was away during the holidays. This adds a layer of flexibility to the tradition, showing that the magic adapts to the unique circ*mstances of each family. Elves may linger to continue observing good behavior even after Christmas if the family was not present during the festivities.
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Christmas Day Celebration:
The article suggests that some elves might stay for one more holiday – Christmas day. This touches on the emotional connection between the elf and the children. In some cases, children write notes to Santa, seeking permission for their elves to witness the joy of present-opening on Christmas day before making their journey back. This concept adds a heartwarming dimension to the tradition.
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Delayed Arrival and Santa’s Extension:
Delays in the arrival of Scout Elves are acknowledged, and it's explained that if an elf got a late start at the beginning of the season, Santa may extend their stay. This ensures that the elves have sufficient time to fulfill their duties and create the magical moments that bring joy to children and families alike.
This comprehensive understanding of The Elf on the Shelf tradition goes beyond the surface, capturing the essence of the magical journey these Scout Elves undertake. If your little ones are curious about why their elf had to return to the North Pole, the article provides valuable insights into the enchanting reasons behind this yearly ritual.
FAQs
The Elf's job is to report back on the kids' behavior every day leading up to December 25, so he should hitch a ride back to the North Pole with Santa after he's done setting out Christmas presents under the tree on Christmas Eve night.
When should Elf on the Shelf leave? ›
According to The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, the night before Christmas, an elf's job comes to an end. On December 24, most Scout Elves say farewell to their families and fly back to the North Pole following Santa's sleigh.
What age does your elf stop coming? ›
By age eight, kids begin to acknowledge the unlikeliness of one man travelling the world in a single night. The good news? If you started the tradition of Elf on the Shelf in your household, you can likely send the elf into early retirement around your child's eighth Christmas.
What is the number 1 rule for Elf on the Shelf? ›
The Elf Must Not Be Touched
Considered the most important rule, the Scout Elf must never be touched (of course, apart from when the parents move them around) as that will cause them to lose their magical powers. In some cases, they could also disappear when touched, such as when a dog might get a hold of them.
How the Elf on the Shelf can say goodbye? ›
Fun and easy Elf on the Shelf goodbye ideas
For those looking for the easy way out, simply write your goodbye on a post-it note. Grab some textured snow spray and write a message on a window of your house. Have your elf sitting in the Christmas tree holding a goodbye sign or sitting on a paper airplane.
Can parents touch elves? ›
Santa advises that no family member touch their Elf on the Shelf, but he does describe a few rare instances when an adult may use tongs or potholders to help an elf in an urgent situation. Parents: read on to learn about special, few and far between cases where emergency help will be required.
Why is my elf not moving? ›
If your elf didn't move, they may be trying to communicate an important message to you! If your elf is accidentally touched, they may have just enough energy to get to the North Pole but not enough magic to create a whole new scene in your home.
Is 11 too old to believe in Santa? ›
"There is no such thing as being too old to believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy," Kelman tells Yahoo Life. "Letting kids figure it out on their own is preferable to parents breaking the news to them.
Is Santa real or is it your parents? ›
And the first question after that, in the “People also ask” section, is: “Is Santa real or is it your parents?” The top response comes from the motherhood website Her View From Home. “The answer is no. We are not Santa. There is no one, single Santa.
Should I tell my 10 year old about Santa? ›
While everyone is different, according to a recent poll by House Method, the average age kids in the United States stop believing in Santa Claus is 8.5 years. So, chances are good that somewhere around then is the right age for your child to learn the true story about Santa Claus.
The Code of the Elves is three simple rules:
- Treat every day like Christmas.
- There's room for everyone on the nice list.
- The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
Unfortunately, Elf isn't available on almost all Netflix libraries, including the US. Luckily, with a robust VPN, you can change your virtual location to where Elf is available on Netflix. In this case, it's only available in Australia and Switzerland.
Do my parents move the elf on the shelf? ›
The rule in the storybook is that the Elf is not to be touched or he'd lose his magic. Of course, that's a rule for the child. The parent can reposition the toy anytime they want to. It's like many rather common and harmless little traditions in some families, like Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy.
How do you say sorry to your elf? ›
Write a note to your elf or Santa apologizing for touching your elf. This is the most effective way to help your Scout Elf get back in action quick! Sprinkle a little cinnamon next to your Scout Elf.
Do elf pets stay all year? ›
We've got the answer below! These fuzzy, friendly pals, the Elf Pets® Reindeer, Saint Bernard and Arctic Fox, are able to live with their families all year! They help Santa complete important Christmas duties such as flying his sleigh around the world, and they need your help!
Does the elf leave a goodbye letter? ›
Your elf might also leave a piece of stationery, so that kids can write their very own goodbye letter to their elf. It's a good way for your elf to say goodbye for now, and leave a letter that kids can cherish for the year as they await next Christmas season!
Do you leave the elf in the same spot all day? ›
The Elf heads back to the North Pole each night to report on the children's behavior, then returns in the morning where he will perch in a new spot in the home.
Do parents move the Elf on the Shelf yes or no? ›
Every night, a parent hides the elf in a new place. The children wake up each morning and search the house to see where the elf has reappeared—becoming a daily, holiday-themed hide-and-seek game with a sneaky elf.
Do you take Elf on the Shelf out of the box? ›
A Scout Elf receives their Christmas magic after you name them, therefore it's safe to take your elf out of the box before they are named. If you have named your Scout Elf, don't worry! At night he or she will find their way out of the box using the Christmas magic they gained when you named them!
Knowledge
