Celebrating with kids

  • About
  • Blog
  • Holidays
  • Little Celebrators Club!
    • Get a year of printables!
    • Little Celebrators FAQs
    • Free Printables Library
  • Shop
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Blog
  • Holidays
  • Little Celebrators Club!
    • Get a year of printables!
    • Little Celebrators FAQs
    • Free Printables Library
  • Shop
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Blog
  • Holidays
  • Little Celebrators Club!
    • Get a year of printables!
    • Little Celebrators FAQs
    • Free Printables Library
  • Shop
×
Home

Elf on the Shelf Idea: Thank You Notes!

Published: Dec 30, 2024 · Modified: Dec 10, 2025 by Morgan · This post may contain affiliate links ·

Want to teach your kids a little thankfulness this holiday season? Here's what my family does for Elf on the Shelf thank you notes!

The elf on the shelf is one of my very favorite holiday traditions.

I know, I know, a lot of people hate it. Think it's weird or too much work. For me, it is just a simple way to bring SO MUCH joy and excitement to my kids all month long.

I try to teach my children to be thankful and appreciative for everything they have and receive.

So, every Christmas Eve, we write thank you notes to our elf, Gumdrop!

This can be as simple or as elaborate as you want - we keep it simple - but is a nice gesture.

I also let the kids go 1 by 1 into the room where Gumdrop is and give him their note and tell him thank you. I could just cry at hearing their sweetness. It's very very special to me.

Anyways, it's pretty self explanatory, but here's what we do!

Elf Thank You Notes

Elf on the Shelf - Thank You Notes

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 5 minutes

What you need:

  • Elf on the Shelf
  • Craft paper - 1 sheet per kid
  • Markers, crayons, pens, etc
  • Optional: stickers, gems, googly eyes, glue - whatever your kid likes to craft with
making elf on the shelf thank you notes

What you do:

  1. Fold the piece of paper in half and give it to you child to decorate.
  2. Younger kids might need help writing.
  3. Decorate with crayons, markers, stickers, or whatever!
  4. Be sure to sign your name!
  5. When dry, present the cards to your elf. It's great to also tell them thank you out loud and that you will miss them until next year!
elf on the shelf thank you notes

This has become such a sweet tradition for us. I love it and I love our elf!

Happy elfing around!

See all of our Elf on the Shelf ideas:

  • The best Elf on the Shelf name ideas
  • Why your Elf on the Shelf should bring books
  • Elf on the Shelf idea: dinosaur sled
  • Elf on the shelf snowball fight
  • Elf on the shelf idea: bubble bath
  • Elf on the shelf idea: bow rock climbing
  • Elf on the shelf idea: zipline
  • How to get an Elf on the Shelf inside a balloon
  • Free printable Elf scavenger hunt clues

Want to Take the Stress Out of Elf Season?

Make this year’s Elf tradition easy and magical with my Easy Elf Magic Binder — your shortcut to 24 days of simple, funny, done-for-you Elf ideas!

Inside the binder, you’ll get:

  • 24 simple Elf setups using items you already have
  • Printable letters, certificates, and accessories to bring the magic to life
  • Ideas that take just a few minutes each night
  • Zero stress. Zero scramble. All the fun.
elf magic binder mock up (1)

If you’re tired of the nightly “what do I do with the Elf?” panic, this binder will save your sanity and keep the magic going all month long.

👉 Make Elf season easy this year

Thanks for reading!

celebrating with kids about us image
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
Morgan mcbride headshot
Morgan

Hey there, I'm Morgan, the creative mind behind CelebratingWithKids.com! As a parent of two lively little ones, I've made it my mission to turn ordinary days into extraordinary adventures, sharing playful activities, thoughtful toy reviews, and delightful printables to help families celebrate every moment together. 🎉👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🎈

More Elf on the Shelf

  • elf on the shelf idea - balloon arrival
    Elf on the Shelf Arrival Idea: Balloon
  • Cute holiday elf and doll figures with a robot, ideal for kids' Christmas crafts and decorations.
    Elf on the Shelf Idea: Smores Roast
  • elf on the shelf idea - magnetic tile rocket
    Elf on the Shelf Idea: Magnetic Tile Rocket
  • Make Elf Season Easy (and Actually Fun)

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Print
morgan mcbride profile picture

Welcome!

I help busy parents add a little magic to everyday life with simple crafts, fun treats, and holiday hacks—turning chaos into unforgettable memories!

More about me
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Amazon

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Visit our Shop!

Learn More!

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates
  • Free Printables Library
  • Premium Printables

Contact

  • Contact
  • Media Kit
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Amazon
  • TikTok
  • YouTube

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2024 CelebratingWithKids on the Feast Plugin