It’s almost December 24th and that means that Elf on The Shelf is going back home to the North Pole! But how will your elf say goodbye to your family? Make sure you talk with your elf so it is a smooth transition for your kids. Especially if your kids are younger, 30 days of elf visits can seem like a really long time and to go suddenly to nothing can be hard on them. So maybe by doing a few extra things on the last day your elf is staying with you can help easy the transition and make the day fun!
One of the reasons I really embraced the Elf on the Shelf is he is the perfect consistent reminder for my 4 year old that his behavior matters. Let’s face it, 4 is hard. It is selfish, it is “me me me”. Some days at the end of the day I feel like all I did was say “No” or “That is not acceptable behavior”. Elf on the Shelf was a visual reminder that behavior matters and good things come to those who wait. My son is a good boy, but like I said being 4 is hard so for him since he’s such a visual learner the elf on the shelf has been great!
My husband and I have talked about doing a Rock Jar for a while, and introducing it after Elf on the Shelf seemed like a great idea. In the same way that Elf on the Shelf helped to remind my son to keep his manners and attitude on the “nice” side, the Rock Jar will be a constant visual that having good behavior, listening, doing nice things for others means something more than just a good job, way to go. It will teach him to work towards a long term goal, and it will have the short term pay offs of seeing the Rock Jar grow and getting excited to fill it.
So after talking with our Elf, when he comes to visit on his last day before returning to the North Pole, he will bring with him some treats and gifts for K.
- A book “A Christmas Wish” which is about a little girl who wants to be one of Santa’s elves so she helps out an elderly neighbor and sets on her way through the wintery landscape of Scandinavia. See what I did there? A book about helping others and Christmas, and elves!
- A note about where he is going, what he has brought and why he brought it.
- A jar to fill with rocks
- Special snowflake rocks. This will remind K all year long that this was a gift from his Elf and his Elf is watching him.
- A candy cane – K’s favorite Christmas treat.
Other ideas for saying goodbye to Elf on the Shelf include:
Becca from the Paro Post shared this with me for the 40 Creative and Easy Elf on The Shelf Ideas.
Last year her elf brought her kids Christmas jammies, Reindeer food (oats), some Christmas books, hot cocoa, and popcorn to enjoy before Santa’s visit.
Decorate the tree: Each year we get our kids a ornament to commemorate the year. It might be fun to have Elf bring a family ornament each year. I know as a mom looking back to the times when my kids were young enough to enjoy the Elf on The Shelf it would be a fun way to remember.
I talked with other parents via Instagram to see what their Elves do, and this is what I heard…
- Proof of Life: Have your Elf come to visit with a note saying goodbye and leave a picture of them with Santa hanging out at the North Pole. That way they can look at it whenever they want and know their elf is having a nice time. (@elizabeth_ann0414)
- Birthday Elf: Have your Elf leave a note of goodbye and let them know to be extra good and they just might get a visit from a birthday elf! (@emtsmommy)
- Keeping with Tradition: If your Elf has been around for a few years, keeping goodbyes the same every year helps! Each year our child get’s a book and a note. (@fancygirlnancy)
- Lift the Magic: Have Elf come with a note giving the kids permission to touch just for one hug and a picture. (@mama2denver)
- Decorate the tree: Each year we get our kids a ornament to commemorate the year. It might be fun to have Elf bring a family ornament each year. I know as a mom looking back to the times when my kids were young enough to enjoy the Elf on The Shelf it would be a fun way to remember.
Do you have a great Elf on the Shelf post or creative ideas about your elf leaving? Link Up! I’ve teamed up with a few awesome bloggers to be your hosts for a fun and creative linkup!
Make sure to visit my amazing co-hosts to see what their Elves are up to as well!
- Emily from Our Knight Life
- Amy from OC Mentorfollow
- Becca from My Crazy Good Lifefollow
- Sara from Mom Endeavorsfollow
This is our last week for the Elf on The Shelf Link Up, but don’t worry we will be back next year! If you do link up this week please be sure to leave a direct link to your post, not just your blog’s URL.
By linking with us, you are allowing the hosts to use one image from your linked post in addition to the link for your Elf post both in the linkup and on social media channels (we love to promote fun posts!).
Catch up on the previous link ups for fun and creative elf on the shelf ideas.
Week 1 – Welcome Our Elf Freckles
Merry Christmas!!
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Such cute ideas!!
I love how you are finishing your time out with the Elf until next year. Makes a nice transition into what you’d like to accomplish with K in the New Year.
cute ideas. i like how you are doing the rock jar from the elf. we don’t do the behavior aspect of our elves, just the fun
Oh, we have fun with it too! It’s just a nice visual reminder – especially since the story outlined it for him!
Those are great ideas! I love the elf jammies and snowflake rocks!
Cute ideas! We do PJ’s and this year a movie too.
Fun!! Bet they love the pjs!
These are such great ideas! I keep meaning to do the rock jar too.
I’ll let you know how it goes!!
We have an elf in our house that the kids are going to miss. Cute post!
We didn’t do Elf on the Shelf this year, but I want to get one for next year!
Daisy – You should!! It’s fun!!
Great ideas! Till next year little elf!! 😉
I love these ideas. We are so sad to see out elf leave.
We are too! 30 days seems like a long time!! (Or 24 rather)!
Cute ideas! I like the snowflake rocks.
Thank you Ashley – he was very excited too.
Those are really cute ideas, I never thought of how to say goodbye in a cute way.