Magic Elf Tradition: Will Santa's Magic Elf Visit Your Home This Christmas?

What would happen if one of Santa's elves came to your house to visit?

He'd arrive sometime before the holidays began. Sent by Santa to check on good little girls and boys, he'd roam the house at night, popping up in the most unlikely places come morning.

Sometimes, elf mischief would take place--and he'd be caught red-handed! Finally, on Christmas Eve, he'd report to Santa and hitch a ride back to the North Pole ... until next year.

If you can imagine it, you can do it: meet Santa's Magic Elf!

Designed to share the Christmas spirit with children, it's an interactive holiday activity for families or school classes. Free printable gift tags make it easy to create a new holiday tradition!

It's easy to invite Santa's Magic Elf to visit:

Buy or make your Elf

Since Santa's Magic Elf will find him or herself in the most unlikely places during the visit, a small, flexible elf will work best--and because the Elf takes many unlikely excursions during the visit, he or she should be unbreakable and sturdy.

Decide when the Elf will arrive

What's the right time for the Elf to arrive? Thanksgiving weekend? Two weeks before Christmas? When the family puts up the Christmas tree?

Choose a date for the Elf's arrival, and prepare for fun!

Whenever he or she arrives, Santa's Magic Elf will need a passport. Print one here: Elf Passport.

Print a Letter of Introduction

Your Elf will need a letter of introduction, explaining why he or she is visiting the family. We make it easy with a free printable letter from Santa, or you can create your own letter of introduction.

Santa will need to explain that the Elf has come to report the behavior of good little boys and girls, and that he or she will be returning to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

Given Elves' well-known propensity to misbehave, a warning about Elf Mischief might be in order.

Create an Elf Report

Santa's Elf will need a way to make his report. Give the Elf a small notebook, or print our free Elf Report--it's where Santa's Elf will record his observations for the year (and be a cherished keepsake after the holidays).

Introduce the Elf to the family

Will the Elf arrive in a basket on the doorstep? Will he make a magical trip down the chimney? Will he be found on or under the Christmas tree?

However he gets there, know that Santa's Elf always likes to make a splash when he arrives!

Help Santa's Magic Elf make his report

Each night, find a new place for the Elf to hide; he'll want to make a thorough report to Santa. Since he's here to look for good behavior, he'll have to travel all through the house in the course of his visit.

Elves can go to sleep in some of the most unlikely places! It's often necessary for the children to search the house in the morning to find the sleepy Elf.

Plan some Elf Mischief!

Late at night, Santa's Magic Elf can get into all sorts of mischief. Elves have been known to spill sugarbowls (and leave their tracks in the spill), bounce on the sofa (disarranging the cushions), grab the remote for some late night television, check out the refrigerator, hide in pockets or leave small surprises for their young friends.

You'll find loads and loads of ideas for Elf Mischief on the Magical Holiday Home Magic Elves message boards. Our friends know that Elves are much more inclined to get into trouble when they're away from Santa!