Elf on the Shelf Rules plus answers to some of your frequently asked questions. New creative, funny, and original Elf on the Shelf Ideas daily.
Want the newest Elf on the Shelf Ideas in your inbox daily in the month of November & December? Sign up here!
Elf on the Shelf Rules
Starting November 1st, we are back with daily Elf on the Shelf Ideas. Whether you are new to Frugal Coupon Living, or you have been with us for the past six years, we have something new to make Elf exciting for your family. You can view our Elf on the Shelf Master List for a full list of ideas including every idea we have ever done.
For many of these Elf on the Shelf ideas, make sure you have an elf that can bend. You can do that easily with our Bendable Elf on the Shelf tutorial. You also can shop our collection of Elf Printables for ideas to cover the entire season!
What is Elf on the Shelf?
What is Elf on the Shelf? This is Elf on the Shelf Explained in one minute. Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas Tradition. This holiday tradition has an Elf on the Shelf book and a Scout Elf doll. The Scout Elf book is poetic and in rhyme sharing the purpose of the Elf’s visits.
While Elf on the Shelf lives at the North Pole, he begins visiting families every Christmas season checking on naughty or nice behavior of children. The Elf on the Shelf first visits each Thanksgiving. Each family is able to name their special elf. Each evening, Scot Elf returns from the North Pole to report to Santa on a family’s behavior. Every morning he can be found in a new location in the house. You must find him!
It is important VERY IMPORTANT, you do not touch The Elf on the Shelf or her/his Christmas magic will be lost! The elves return to their home (Santa’s North Pole Work shop) every Christmas Eve.
Elf on the Shelf Rules
There are a few rules when it comes to adopting an Elf.
Name your Elf on the Shelf
Give your North Pole visitor a name. Look at our 50+ ideas of Elf on the Shelf Names.
Do Not Touch Elf on the Shelf
Elf looses his magic if he is touched by humans. Do not touch Elf on the Shelf. If you need to move Elf (for example, he/she has fallen) use our Magic Elf Grippers to move Elf. Also read about Elf being touched in the In Case of Elftastrophe an Elf on the Shelf Emergency Guide Book.
Elf Moves at Night
No matter what, Elf cannot move when you are watching. Elf on the Shelf moves at night when everyone is asleep. There may be a few occasion when Elf will need to move during the day when the kids are at school. Sometimes Elves fall asleep too. Look at our list of Reasons Elf Did Not Move plus a tip to make sure he/she moves each day.
Elf Cannot Talk
Elf is always listening, but Elf cannot talk. Tell Elf about your day, about your Christmas Wish List. You can even leave notes for Santa with Elf and he/she will deliver them at night to Santa Claus.
Elf Must Return Home at Christmas
Elf must go back to his home in the North Pole at Christmas. Look for a postcard. Elf might send you mail on his vacation or from his home! Typically Elf leaves on Christmas Eve night with Santa on the sleigh. Some elves stay and watch you open presents, returning to their home with magic the next day.
Can parents touch the elf on the shelf?
Frequently it’s asked, can adults touch Elf on the Shelf. Parents, it’s important to follow the rules of Elf on the Shelf. Elf must never be touched. However, if Elf has an accident or falls, it is important to move Elf from any dangerous spots (for example, the floor where your pet dog might pick it up.) You can use these Magic Elf on the Shelf grippers, so parents can touch and move Elf on the Shelf without actually “touching” the Elf.
Parents may also use a gloved hand OR if Elf must be touched with the skin of a human, Elf should sit out for another 24 hours.
Attention Parents: See the list of frequently asked questions at the Official Elf on the Shelf Page.
Elf on the Shelf Printables
Our most popular Elf on the Shelf printables can be found in our Elf Store. Shop Elf costumes, our Elf Twister board, Jokes for Kids, our Magic Shrinking Machine and so much more!
Free Elf on the Shelf Printables
We also love sharing Elf on the Shelf free printables! Get all of our free Elf on the Shelf printables by entering your email address below. This is where you can print the Elf on the Shelf rules. Look for an email to confirm you signed up. One you confirm, look for a second email in your inbox with a link and password!
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
By downloading you are accepting the terms that this is for personal, non-commercial use. Please contact Frugal Coupon Living with any questions.
Free Printables Step by Step Directions
1.) Enter your email address here.
2.) Look for a confirmation email in your inbox and confirm you requested a sign up.
3.) We will send you a Free Printables Welcome Email with link and passcode to all of our free printables.
4.) Enter your passcode at the top of the page here and click “Access Printables”
5. Enjoy your Elf on the Shelf Printables.
Elf on the Shelf Facebook Group
Save these ideas because you will want to stay up to date on these ideas each Christmas season. We do our best to mix up easy and hard Elf on the Shelf Ideas.
Elf on the Shelf Facebook Page
Multiple ideas are added each day to our Elf on the Shelf Ideas Facebook page. This is a great way for you to share your own Elf on the Shelf Ideas and share our ideas to your page. There are some good ones! Be sure to like the page!
Elf on the Shelf Pinterest Boards
We also are in charge of a Elf on the Shelf Ideas Pinterest board. On this board, we have invited other bloggers to share their ideas and free Elf on the Shelf Printables too! Be sure to follow the board!
Our goal, to make Elf easy for you!
Don’t forget all of our daily Elf on the Shelf Ideas. Pin to Pinterest on your Christmas and Elf Boards.
We have been doing Elf on the Shelf forever. See our Elf on the Shelf Master List. Pin to Pinterest.
WHAT’S TRENDING? Looking for a few engaging activities? Grab Minute to Win it Games – Traditional, Holiday, Group, and more! Use these fun activities in the office, classroom, or at your next birthday party.
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by Ashley at Frugal Coupon Living
[…] careful. Elf’s magic might disappear if the North Pole elf visitor is touched. So only one Elf on the Shelf rule must be followed – do not touch Elf. The story ends on Christmas Day with the Elf on the […]