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Does the Elf on the Shelf arrive on Thanksgiving? See 20 creative Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Thanksgiving – Pilgrims, Native Americans, Turkey, Pumpkins, Cornucopia, Feasts & More. Additionally, download a Free Thanksgiving Gobble ’til you Wobble Letter Board Elf Printable. New creative, funny, and original Elf on the Shelf Ideas daily.

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Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Thanksgiving

You’ve started the Christmas Elf tradition and now you are wondering, when does that funny little red guy return. If it wasn’t on your mind (because most parents hide him deep in the depths of their brain when it isn’t the holiday season), then chances are a little someone has asked the question…

Does the Elf on the Shelf arrive on Thanksgiving?

When Does the Elf on the Shelf Come Back?

The answer is, the Elf on the Shelf returns when you decide. In most homes, the Elf on the Shelf returns on Thanksgiving. In fact, in the Scout Elf on the Shelf book you might have noticed a big turkey feast on the table. However, the best thing about the Elf Christmas tradition, is you get to decide! Some families choose December 1 as a start date for Elf on a Shelf. Others start even earlier than that beginning the first day of November. If you are a mean mom, Elf on a Shelf monthly makes an appearance the last week before Christmas – wink! You might make Santa’s naughty list if you are this late, though.

Elf on the Shelf Return Ideas

Now that you know when Elf on the Shelf returns, you need help with Elf on the Shelf Arrival ideas. I have you covered. Take a look at our dozens of creative ideas for how to welcome Elf Back into your home. Creative ideas can include

For later, save these Elf on the Shelf Last Day Ideas to your Pinterest Board or email it to yourself.

Do you are fully prepared for the season, make sure to sign up for our Elf on the Shelf daily ideas. In your inbox, get a new idea daily to take the season from frantic to peaceful. We have your covered!

Elf on the Shelf Thanksgiving Ideas

If your Elf on the Shelf returns in November (before or on Thanksgiving), take a look at these  20 Elf on the Shelf Thanksgiving Ideas.

Thanksgiving Day Parade

First, start the day watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade – look for an Elf on the Shelf Parade Elf Balloon!

If your child watches the Thanksgiving Day Parade with Elf on the Shelf, perhaps make your own Elf on the Shelf Parade from Sweet Shoppe Designs.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Of course, a parade on a horse is nice, but how about a free elf on the shelf printable. Grab an Elf on the Shelf Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade banner and get a helium Elf on the Shelf balloon.

Elf on the Shelf Arrival Printable

This Year we did something different. A 2020 Elf on the Shelf Thanksgiving Costume complete with a Thanksgiving Face Mask. We also added this Free Elf on the Shelf Printable “Gobble ’til You Wobble!”

Elf on the Shelf Pilgrims

One Thanksgiving Elf on the Shelf idea we did in the past was making him and her Thanksgiving Elf on the Shelf Pilgrims. This was a DIY Pilgrim craft using construction paper. Took minutes. No sewing needed. Tape… tape… tape.

Elf on the Shelf Thanksgiving Table

Another Idea is to Have Elf on the Shelf return in the Thanksgiving Centerpiece. Maybe your kids will notice in the middle of that bite of turkey an Elf on the Shelf in the Thanksgiving centerpiece!

Elf on the Shelf Turkey

A really cute DIY Elf on the Shelf turkey idea is a Thanksgiving Elf on the Shelf Turkey Costume. You have a few ideas. Make your own Elf Turkey Costume with Feathers and Pipe Cleaners. Easy peasy.

Elf on the Shelf Native American

This DIY Native American Elf on the Shelf Thanksgiving Costume completely takes me back to preschool in the 1980s – remember the brown bag vests? Make your own  Native American Elf on the Shelf costumes too.

Elf on the Shelf Fall Leaves

Your Elf on a Shelf can make a pile of leaves before jumping in… doesn’t everyone do that on Thanksgiving day? Add it to your Fall Bucket List. Shop miniature fall leaves and pumpkins.

Elf on the Shelf S’mores & Teepee

The first Elf on the Shelf Thanksgiving. How cute is this Elf on the Shelf Native American with a teepee and s’mores campfire. Using a marshmallow, sticks from the yard, constructions paper, felt, and craft sticks, create this Elf on the Shelf s’mores idea in minutes. Just add chocolate and graham crackers.

Elf on the Shelf First Thanksgiving

Have an Elf on the Shelf going away party for the Thanksgiving decorations. Time to pull out the Christmas Decorations and wish all the Thanksgiving decorations a good-bye Elf on the Shelf party. Maybe have all your Christmas boxes ready to unpack and your Thanksgiving decorations sitting on the table to go.

Elf on the Shelf Pumpkin Carving

On Thanksgiving, it’s completely appropriate for Elf on the Shelf to carve a Christmas Tree Pumpkin. Careful with the knife, perhaps put it away after Elf carves a pumpkin.

Elf on the Shelf Candy Corn

Every mischievous Elf on the Shelf idea includes getting into the candy! Elf on the Shelf Dives in the Candy Corn. Yum!

Elf on the Shelf Thanksgiving Feast

If you’re going to feast, make your own Elf on the Shelf miniature food too. Create a miniature Thanksgiving Feast for Elf on the Shelf. No reason he can’t enjoy some turkey too! Make sure he is ready for the big football game later.

Elf on the Shelf Football

Are you ready for some football Watching a Thanksgiving Football Game? Have Elf on the Shelf in a Football Jersey with your family’s favorite team. You can get an Elf on the Shelf football jersey for your fan or print out one using paper and a printer!

Elf on the Shelf Tied Up

Do you know the Publix pilgrims? I love these little salt and paper shaker pilgrims. Looks like the Pilgrim Salt and Pepper Shakers Saw Elf as a threat!

Elf on the Shelf Turkey DIY

Make sure your elf wishes the family Happy Thanksgiving with this Turkey Elf on the Shelf idea. Grab construction paper and make your own DIY Turkey Costume for Elf.

Elf on the Shelf Thankful

Focus on the reason for the season, the Thanksgiving season. Show your child Elf on the Shelf gratitude with a list of things you are thankful for. Elf on the Shelf write leaves of thanks for Thanksgiving.

Elf on the Shelf Cornucopia

Thanksgiving reminds us of a healthy harvest and bounty. Grab the fruit and vegetables and have Elf on the Shelf return in the Thanksgiving Cornucopia Harvest.

Elf on the Shelf Turkey Hunt

Tis turkey hunt requires no weapons and the result is a stuffed turkey without hurting an animal. Elf deserves his own thanksgiving turkey too. Have Elf return with a sign “I’ve got my turkey!”

Elf on a Shelf Pumpkin

In this Elf on the Shelf Thanksgiving Idea, EIf returns as a November Pumpkin. Grab miniature pumpkins.

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.

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!

Shop Elf Printables + Digital Downloads

Free Elf 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. 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!

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 on Social Media

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!

What is Elf on the Shelf?

Elf on the Shelf is a Christmas Tradition. The tradition has a book and a elf doll. The book is poetic and in rhyme sharing the purpose of the Elf’s visits. The Elf visits each Thanksgiving. He/She goes and returns from the North Pole each evening. Every morning he can be found in a new location in the house. The Elf has been found in the refrigerator, fishing in the toilet, writing messages on the mirror or hanging from the lights. It is VERY IMPORTANT, the Elf is not touch each evening or his Christmas magic will be lost! Each family is able to name their special elf. The elves return to their home (Santa’s North Pole Work shop) every Christmas Eve. An Elf’s Story can also be found on DVD.

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.