Elf on the Shelf Goodbye Letter: 8 Free Notes to Copy, by Age

By Jess Harper Updated 10 min read

The best elf on the shelf goodbye letter is short, warm, and written for how old your child is. Below are 8 notes you can copy onto paper or paste into a document to print: a 2 sentence one for a toddler, a rhyming one for ages 4 to 6, a longer one for ages 7 and up, a letter from 2 elves, and more. After the letters you get 5 easy last-night setups that take 5 minutes, a plain answer to "when does the elf leave," and what to do if your child is sad. This page is not affiliated with the Elf on the Shelf brand. It works with any scout elf, doll or helper you have, and some links are affiliate links at no cost to you.

Elf on the shelf goodbye letter on a linen table: a handwritten-style note on aged paper beside a red envelope with a wax seal, a candy cane, a mug of cocoa and a generic scout elf prop Save

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Safety first: Always supervise little ones, and skip small parts for kids who still put things in their mouths. Please read our play safety notes before you start.

Key takeaways

  • Most families send the elf home on Christmas Eve, and the goodbye letter is left that night for the child to find on Christmas morning.
  • Match the letter to the child: 2 to 3 sentences for a toddler, a rhyme for ages 4 to 6, and a longer letter that mentions something real from the month for ages 7 and up.
  • A good letter has four parts: thanks, one specific memory, a gentle goodbye and a reason the elf will return.
  • With 2 elves, give each elf one line so each child feels spoken to.
  • Skip candles, food tricks and tiny treats under 3. A hug, a letter and one small gift do the job.
In this post20 sections
  1. When does Elf on the Shelf leave?
  2. What to write in an elf goodbye letter
  3. 8 elf on the shelf goodbye letters, by age
  4. 1. Toddler goodbye letter (ages 2 to 3)
  5. 2. Rhyming letter (ages 4 to 6)
  6. 3. Longer letter (ages 7 and up)
  7. 4. Letter from 2 elves
  8. 5. The hug letter
  9. 6. If your child is sad
  10. 7. The come-back-next-year letter
  11. 8. The whole-family letter
  12. 5 easy last-night setups for the goodbye
  13. 1. The packed suitcase
  14. 2. The tree and sleigh
  15. 3. Cereal and cocoa goodbye breakfast
  16. 4. The frosty window
  17. 5. The tiny envelope
  18. What the Christmas Elf Planner has for the goodbye
  19. More elf ideas for the whole month
  20. FAQ

When does Elf on the Shelf leave?

In most homes the elf flies back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve, after the last night of hiding and before Christmas morning. That fits the story: the elf reports to Santa, and the goodbye letter is waiting when the children wake up. Some families send the elf away on December 24 itself, and some keep it until Christmas morning and then say goodbye in the evening. Other families have the elf leave after New Year's Day, or on a night the child picks. There is no right date. Pick the one that matches your family's story and tell the child what to expect, so the goodbye does not feel like a surprise.

If you have been moving the elf all month, the last night is the one with the most pressure. The letter and the setup below take about 5 minutes each, and you can do both after the children are asleep.

What to write in an elf goodbye letter

Whatever age you are writing for, a good goodbye letter has the same four parts. Keep it to one side of a page.

  1. Step 1:

  2. Step 2:

  3. Step 3:

  4. Step 4:

8 elf on the shelf goodbye letters, by age

1Toddler goodbye letter (ages 2 to 3)

A cream card with a red heart, star and sleigh drawing on a wooden floor beside a scout elf prop, a muslin blanket and wooden blocks Save

Toddlers do not follow a long letter. Read this one in 15 seconds, then hand over a small gift. Put a picture of an elf and a big heart on the page so they can point at it.

Dear Emma, I had so much fun with you. Now I have to fly home. I love you. Bye bye, Elf.

Ages: 2 to 3.

Prep: 3 minutes.

Mess: none.

Supplies: letter, paper, a crayon heart, a small envelope.

Safety: skip candy, coins and tiny charms for children under 3. A board book or a soft toy is a safe gift.

2Rhyming letter (ages 4 to 6)

A rolled goodbye letter tied with twine and a candy cane on a white bookshelf beside a scout elf prop, a child's hand reaching in at the edge Save

Children this age love rhymes and want to be told they were good. Put the letter somewhere the elf has left small signs, like the shelf or the tree.

Dear Max, it is Christmas Eve, and now I must leave. You waved each morning and made me smile. I stayed awhile. Santa knows you tried to be kind. I am glad you are mine. I will fly home to the snow. I will see you next year, so I know. Love, Elf.

Ages: 4 to 6.

Prep: 5 minutes.

Mess: none.

Supplies: letter, paper, ribbon or twine.

Safety: if you add a gift, choose a book or a pair of socks, not candy or small toys.

3Longer letter (ages 7 and up)

Three goodbye letters of different lengths side by side on a dark wooden table, a short one, a one with a star and a full page, with a pen and a child's hands at the edge Save

Older children can tell when a letter is generic. Mention something from the month and give the letter a little humor.

Dear Mia and Leo, thank you for a great December. I enjoyed the hot chocolate morning, the fort you built and the way you pretended not to look. I have reported to Santa that you shared the last cookie. It is time for me to head to the North Pole. I will be watching for your letters. See you next December. Your elf.

Ages: 7 to 10.

Prep: 5 minutes, plus a minute to add one real memory.

Mess: none.

Supplies: letter, paper, a pen in a different color from yours.

Safety: none beyond the usual. If you leave a small gift, check it is age-appropriate.

4Letter from 2 elves

Two scout elf props sitting side by side on a white bookshelf next to a single folded letter tied with twine Save

If you have two elves, or the elf has a friend, let each speak. Siblings often compare, so give each child a line with their name.

Dear Sam and Ava, we had a wonderful visit. Elf one says: Sam, thank you for sharing your trains. Elf two says: Ava, thank you for the dance parties. Together we say: we will see you next year. Love, your elves.

Ages: 3 to 8.

Prep: 5 minutes.

Mess: none.

Supplies: one letter, 2 elf props, a ribbon.

Safety: place both elves on a stable low shelf, away from candles and fireplaces, so no one climbs to reach them.

5The hug letter

If your child asks for a hug, the elf can leave a hug letter. The elf cannot be touched, so the letter says it hugs from afar, and the child hugs the letter. It resolves the "I want to hug the elf" question without breaking the magic.

Dear friend, I cannot be touched, but my heart is wide open. This letter is a hug in paper. Squeeze it tight, and I will feel it all the way at the North Pole. Love, Elf.

Ages: 3 to 7.

Prep: 3 minutes.

Mess: none.

Supplies: letter, paper.

Safety: none.

6If your child is sad

Some children cry on goodbye day. Tell the child the elf will be back, and give them a job for the rest of the year.

Dear friend, do not be sad. I am not really gone. I will be at the North Pole, watching for your kindness. Every time you do something kind, I will know. Write me a letter if you like, and Santa will pass it on. Love, Elf.

Ages: 4 to 8.

Prep: 5 minutes.

Mess: none.

Supplies: letter, paper, a small notebook or card for a reply.

Safety: stay with the child while they read. A sad child needs a hug more than a letter.

7The come-back-next-year letter

Children ask "will he come back?" This letter answers it before they ask. It also sets up next December.

Dear friend, I am going home now, but I will come back. Pack your best ideas and I will pack mine. See you next December. Love, Elf.

Ages: 3 to 8.

Prep: 3 minutes.

Mess: none.

Supplies: letter, paper, a small box if you want to save it.

Safety: none.

8The whole-family letter

A clipboard with a last-night checklist, a pen, an envelope with a wax seal and a red hat on a wood table, a child's hand holding the pen Save

If more than one child, plus a grandparent, a cousin or a classmate, wants to hear from the elf, write one letter for everyone.

Dear family, thank you for a wonderful December. Thank you for looking for me each morning and for keeping my secret. I will tell Santa that this house is full of kindness. See you next year. Love, Elf.

Ages: all ages.

Prep: 3 minutes.

Mess: none.

Supplies: letter, paper, a picture frame if you want to display it.

Safety: none.

5 easy last-night setups for the goodbye

The letter is the heart. The setup is what the children see first, so make it simple. All 5 take about 5 minutes, and none need food tricks, candles or small parts.

1The packed suitcase

A small cardboard suitcase on a table with a scout elf prop sitting beside it, a note and a plate of cookie crumbs, a child's hands at the edge Save

Set the elf beside a small bag or a toy suitcase with a letter on top. It tells the story at a glance: the elf is leaving. A lunch box with a paper tag that says "North Pole" works too.

Ages: 3 to 8.

Prep: 5 minutes.

Mess: none.

Supplies: a small bag or box, the letter, a paper tag.

Safety: do not use zip bags or plastic bags near children under 3.

2The tree and sleigh

A scout elf prop sitting in a small wooden sleigh under a Christmas tree with a goodbye card and wrapped gifts Save

Place the elf in the tree with a tiny paper sleigh and the letter tucked in the branches. It looks like the elf is leaving by air. Use paper for the sleigh, not anything that could break.

Ages: 3 to 8.

Prep: 5 minutes.

Mess: none.

Supplies: paper, tape, a ribbon.

Safety: keep the elf away from lights and glass ornaments.

3Cereal and cocoa goodbye breakfast

A table set with two bowls of cereal, a mug of cocoa, a scout elf prop and a letter in an envelope tied with twine Save

Set two bowls of cereal and a mug of cocoa (or milk), with the elf beside a letter tied with twine. The elf had breakfast with the family one last time. Use a safe, cool drink, and skip marshmallows for the youngest.

Ages: 3 to 8.

Prep: 10 minutes.

Mess: low.

Supplies: two mugs, a plate, the letter.

Safety: let hot drinks cool, and keep marshmallows away from children under 4.

4The frosty window

A frosted window with snow outside and a small note taped to the glass, a scout elf prop standing on the sill Save

Tape the letter to a window the elf can look out from. It looks like the elf is waving from outside, ready to fly off. A bit of cotton at the base looks like snow.

Ages: 3 to 8.

Prep: 3 minutes.

Mess: none.

Supplies: tape, a window, cotton wool.

Safety: do not place anything near blind cords or latches.

5The tiny envelope

A tiny red envelope on a plaid pillow beside a scout elf prop Save

Tuck a tiny envelope on the child's pillow with the letter inside, or leave it at the foot of the bed. A surprise in the morning is the best way to say goodbye. For a toddler, leave it on a table instead.

Ages: 3 to 8.

Prep: 3 minutes.

Mess: none.

Supplies: a small envelope, paper, tape.

Safety: no tiny gifts or coins for children under 3. Keep the envelope out of a crib.

Last-night checklist (about 10 minutes)

What the Christmas Elf Planner has for the goodbye

If you want the whole month planned, not just the last night, the Christmas Elf Planner is the next step. It is a 29-page printable with all 24 nights planned, each with a setup line, supplies and an effort tag, plus 24 cut-out elf notes and blank cards. For the goodbye, it has one Christmas Eve goodbye letter, an arrival letter, a welcome-back letter, a page where your child writes to the elf and rescue notes for mornings the elf did not move. It also has 12 last-minute ideas, a supply checklist, an elf diary and a two-page age guide for toddlers, ages 4 to 6 and ages 7 and up.

To be clear about what is in it: the planner has one goodbye letter, not the age-tiered letters or the 2-elf letter on this page. Those are here to copy for free. The planner is the one to buy if you want the other 23 nights written for you. It is $5, in US Letter, A4 and low-ink.

More elf ideas for the whole month

If the elf has been busy, the Elf on the Shelf ideas hub has more than a month of setups. For a very young child, gentle elf ideas for toddlers keeps it simple, and for a child who has outgrown babyish tricks, elf ideas for older kids are more clever. The arrival ideas for the first night and funny elf ideas round out the month.

For the last week before Christmas, Christmas Eve traditions for kids and Christmas Eve box ideas plan the evening, and a letter to Santa template gives your child something to write back.

Supplies for the elf goodbye

Not affiliated with the Elf on the Shelf brand. This page uses a generic scout elf prop and works with any elf, doll or helper your family has.

Frequently asked questions

When does Elf on the Shelf leave?

Most families send the elf home on Christmas Eve and leave the goodbye letter that night, so the children find it on Christmas morning. Some families keep the elf until Christmas Day or the New Year. Pick the date that suits your family and tell the children what to expect.

What do you write in an elf goodbye letter?

Four things: a thank you, one real memory from December, a gentle goodbye and a reason the elf will return. Keep it to one page. Use 2 to 3 sentences for a toddler, a short rhyme for ages 4 to 6, and a longer letter that mentions something real for ages 7 and up.

How do you say goodbye with two elves?

Write one letter with a line from each elf. Name each child so they feel spoken to. End with a line from both elves together.

What if my child is sad when the elf leaves?

Tell them the elf will be back next year, and give them something to do, like writing a reply or being kind so the elf can report it. A hug and a calm morning help more than a long explanation.

Can I print the elf goodbye letters?

Yes. Copy a letter from this page into a document, change the names, pick a handwriting-style font and print on cream paper. The letters are free to use at home.

What if I forgot to move the elf?

Write a short note that says the elf was tired from the long trip. It is a normal and funny rescue, and it works on most children.

Four-photo pin for elf on the shelf goodbye letters: a goodbye letter beside a red envelope and a scout elf, three letters of different lengths, a picture card and a rolled letter with twine, text reads 8 Free Elf Goodbye Letters.

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About the author

Jess Harper, Founder & Editor

Jess Harper is the pen name of the independent publisher who founded Puddles & Play, used for its holiday crafts and for editing every post. Jess isn't a teacher or childcare professional, so posts are checked for age range, supplies and choking hazards against published child-safety guidance, with AI tools helping on research, drafts and images. Each post is checked against those sources before it goes live and updated when they change. Every activity is meant for adult-supervised play.

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