If you’re wondering how to get rid of Elf on the Shelf, how to get the elf to stop moving, or how to make Elf on the Shelf go away without traumatizing your kids, these holiday activities and ideas will help. Fun ways to retire your elves without tears and without having to keep up with naughty elf antics for December activities for kids!
How To Get Rid of Elf on the Shelf Step-By-Step
How To End the Elf on a Shelf Tradition
I want to cover is retiring Elf on the Shelf, especially if you want to do one of these other Elf on Shelf alternatives that are less work)! So, what are some ideas on how to quit Elf on the Shelf?
Elf on the Shelf Return Ideas
- Promote your elf to be Head of Elves on the North Pole, so he won’t be coming back. (Gently do this in a letter.)
- Leave a letter saying Santa is running waaaay behind this year and needed your Elf to stay on the North Pole to help. Periodically pop your elf in to check in.
- Write a “break up” letter / Elf on the Shelf goodbye letter. The letter from elf on the shelf can let your kids know that they can write to your elf every holiday season.
- Maybe an Elf on the Shelf naughty list where your elf is in trouble with Santa? (This will only work with certain kids, so you’ll have to gauge if your children are too emotional for this one.)
- Have your elf tell (write) the kids it’s time to be replaced with another thing that will teach them new things like the Christmas manger, kindness with the Gnomes, or learning about Hanukkah with the Mensch. (These are all a lot less work than the Elf on a Shelf, by the way).
- Technology has arrived! Now your elf doesn’t need to fly down every night, he/she has a Santa Spy cam on the tree and checks in from there!
- Prepare your kids by making this the last year! Write an Elf on the Shelf return letter explaining that this will be the last year and why. (Get creative!)
SEE THE FULL LIST OF SAYING GOODBYE TO ELVES IDEAS BELOW!
What if you don’t want an Elf on the Shelf replacement?
If you’re ready to get rid of Elf on the Shelf completely and not replace it with another countdown to Christmas activity, it may be a delicate dance with younger kids
If you’ve been doing EOS for a while, you can’t just have your elf disappear with no warning or reason for it.
(GAH!)
Just remember, you make the Elf on the Shelf rules!
(He/She’s not the boss of you! You’re welcome.)
But, how do you convince your kids that the Elf on the Shelf funny and fun times are over and not to be sad (especially if you’re going to replace it with different types of Elves on the Shelf)?
MORE HOLIDAY FUN!
GET OUR MOST POPULAR FUN PARTY GAMES PACK! This holiday themed printable pack full of fun games and activities is great for all ages to play at Christmas parties!
Here are some ideas…
How To End The Elf On The Shelf Tradition (Or How To Replace Elf On The Shelf) Without Tears
If you’re ready to retire the Elf on the Shelf tradition or just want to take a break from the daily elf antics or naughty elf on shelf, here are some creative (and gentle ways) to do that.
You know your child best, so be sure to pick one of these elf ideas that work best with your child’s emotional maturity level.
- Don’t miss the full Elf replacement ideas after this list!
1. Have the Elf Write a Farewell Letter
Kids love receiving letters from the elf and they love getting mail.
You can mail a Christmas letter for kids and explain that the elf’s work is done or that they’ve been promoted back at the North Pole.
Write a kind note explaining that the elf needs to return to the North Pole permanently (or just for the season if you need a break from elf ideas).
The letter can reassure kids that Santa will still visit, and the elf will always remember them.
2. Mission Accomplished Ceremony
Tell your kids that your elf has been on a special mission and it has now completed (rather than an abruptly ending the Elf On Shelf).
Create a little ceremony where the elf graduates or gets a promotion from Santa for doing such a good job over the years.
The elf can leave behind a certificate and a small gift (like a holiday ornament, small toy, or a special treat) for the kids to remember them by.
3. Short Seasonal Return Only
For this one, the Elf only comes for one day, like December 1st (or a random day so the kids won’t know). This shortens the duration of the elf tradition and gives you more control over the timeline during the busy holiday season.
Set a rule that the elf only arrives for a brief visit each December to check in on holiday spirit.
You can even give the elf an official arrival and departure date or you can make a few random days throughout December.
The magic is preserved without the daily commitment (and forgetting to move the elf)!
MORE HOLIDAY IDEAS & CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES FOR FAMILY:
Christmas Traditions For Family and 13 Christmas Around the World Lesson Plans
19 Family Ideas for Service Projects During Holidays (and Beyond)
Hanukkah Story and 17 Lessons to Help Kids Learn Hanukkah Traditions
What is Kwanzaa? Meaning and Traditions for Kids
13 DIY Advent Calendar Ideas with Photos
What Is Winter Solstice? Science Behind Solstice and Lesson Plans, Traditions, Activities
10 Elf on Shelf Alternatives That Won’t Make You Insane
Let Go of Holiday Stress with 10 Tips from the Frozen Movie
12 Unique New Year Countdown Ideas for Kids (That You Probably Never Thought Of)
42 Unique Ideas: Christmas Gifts for Mom Guide [UPDATED]
Unique Gamer Christmas Gifts for Kids & Teens When Money Is Tight
4. Elf Helper Kit Send-off Gift
With this Elf ender, you transition the magic to the child’s own hands.
Prepare a small Elf Helper Kit with items like stickers, craft supplies, holiday coloring pages, and treats.
Leave a note having the elf explain that they trust the child to carry on the spirit of kindness and holiday cheer while they’re away.
You can leave it open for them to return another year or make it a goodbye letter.
5. The Elf Retires And Moves In with Santa Permanently
Write a note or leave a little sign that says the elf has retired or is needed full-time at the North Pole.
You can even say the elf is now training younger elves or has an important position helping Santa year-round.
Throw a mini retirement party for the elf.
Kids can make little hats, sing a song, or draw pictures for the elf.
Explain that the elf will always remember this family and is just a wish away if they need some holiday spirit in the future.
This helps give closure to the tradition while still keeping a happy, magical touch. You can even bring up the elf throughout the year with “What do you think [Elf’s name] is doing right now?”
6. The Elf Becomes a Decorative Elf
You can decide to keep the elf in the home as a decoration without any nightly movement.
Tell the kids the elf has decided to become a holiday watcher who stays in one spot for the season.
This way, kids still see the elf, but you don’t have to keep up with daily placements or setups.
Just be sure to place your elf in a spot where kids can’t get to it and play with it or you’ll have to deal with that whole “if you touch the elf it loses its magic” thing.
7. Elf Leaves on a New Adventure
Make up a new adventure, like the elf heading to the South Pole to teach penguins about holiday cheer or the Elf traveling around the world to train other elves.
Throughout the year, you can get a letter or email from the elf sharing how they’re doing.
Kids will have fun imagining their elf in new, faraway places and it ends this holiday tradition with excitement rather than disappointment.
Elf On Shelf Alternatives:
CHECK OUT THIS HOLIDAY FUN INSTEAD: ELF ON SHELVES ALTERNATIVES
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
I hope my ideas for how to get rid of Elf On The Shelf help you and your kids end one Christmas family tradition and move on to new traditions for the holidays!
