“I remember leaving the office and thinking, ‘That was not great.’”
Elf on the Shelf is one of the most popular and fun Christmas traditions during the holiday season.
But parents might be a little confused this year due to a notable change in the Santaverse timeline that has Scout Elves departing the North Pole earlier than in years past.
As a result, what used to be known as Scout Elf Return Week is now Scout Elf Return Month.
Last year, Scout Elf Return Week — which is the official week most Scout Elves return to your home from the North Pole — ran from Nov. 24 through Dec. 1. At that point, Elf on the Shelf was in full bloom.
So, when does Elf on the Shelf start this year? Anywhere from Nov. 3 through Dec. 1.
The change, which takes effect in 2025, was confirmed by The LumiStella Company — the family-owned, women-led business behind the holiday tradition — earlier this year.
“The first group of Santa’s Scout Elf mascots depart the North Pole to make their way to homes around the world for #ScoutElfReturnMonth!” the company wrote on their official website.
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“This monthlong celebration (Nov. 3–Dec. 1) is when most families welcome back their elves, or adopt a new North Pole helper,” the statement continued.
That’s right — there’s a good chance your Scout Elf makes its return earlier than ever before!
But don’t worry. Whether you’re a seasoned vet looking to brush up on your Elf on the Shelf knowledge or a new parent starting this tradition for the first time, we’ll explain everything you need to know below!
What is Elf on the Shelf?
Elf on the Shelf is a beloved Christmas tradition where a special elf — known as Scout Elf — is sent from the North Pole to watch over children and report back to Santa each night.
Here's how it works.
Each night after the children go to sleep, the Scout Elf flies back to the North Pole to tell Santa whether the kids have been naughty or nice. Then, before they wake up, the elf returns and hides in a new spot.
When did Elf on the Shelf start?
The Elf on the Shelf tradition dates as far back as 1974 — but it wasn’t popularized until 30 years later.
It all began when a woman named Carol Aebersold received a pixie elf named Fisbee as a child. Years later, when she had three kids of her own, she told them that Fisbee was a scout elf for Santa Claus.
From that moment on, Fisbee became an annual tradition in the Aebersold household.
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Decades later, Aebersold and her two daughters — Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts — turned their family tradition into a children’s book. The book was self-published (along with a figurine) in 2005.
By 2007, the book and figuring were a smash hit for parents looking to start the tradition themselves.
What are the Elf on the Shelf rules?
Like any holiday game or tradition, there are a few rules that apply when taking part in the tradition.
According to The LumiStella Company, the three main Elf on the Shelf rules include:
- The most important — don’t touch your Scout Elf, or they will lose their magic!
- Scout Elves can’t talk, but they are great listeners. Little ones can share secrets and wishes with their elf as often as they’d like.
- Scout Elves must return to the North Pole on Christmas Eve to help Santa prepare for the next Christmas!
Beyond that, families can do what they want with Scout Elf.
For example, some families prefer to keep Scout Elf in the same spot during the day — whether that be by the Christmas tree or on a fireplace mantel — while others like to move and hide Scout Elf each night.
The hiding aspect can be as simple as placing Scout Elf in a different area of the home for the kids to find.
But if you like to go all-out during the holiday season, then you can use props to create elaborate scenes and setups for Scout Elf — such as zip-lining across the living room or getting into mischief with a pet.
When does the Elf on the Shelf come back each year?
With the new timeline, Scout Elves can return to the home anywhere between Nov. 3 and Dec. 1.
But don’t worry — parents can bring Scout Elf back as early (or late) as they like.
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Some families welcome their elf back the week before Halloween, while others wait until the middle of December. The choice is entirely up to you and what works best for your family's schedule.
Of course, an earlier return means you can incorporate the tradition into other holiday celebrations.
When does Elf on the Shelf leave?
While it doesn’t matter when you start the tradition, it does matter when you end it.
After all, the Scout Elf needs to return to the North Pole before Santa Claus departs for his annual trip around the world — which is why most parents (and kids) say their goodbyes on Dec. 23 or Dec. 24.
This can be a sad time for the kids, but it’s a necessary part of Scout Elf’s duties.
To help ease this transition, most families have their Scout Elf leave a special goodbye note or a small gift before heading back to help Santa with his final preparations.
It's a sweet way to wrap up the tradition and transition into Christmas morning excitement!
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Now that you know everything about when Elf on the Shelf starts and ends, you're all set to kick off the tradition with confidence!
So dust off that elf, get ready for some creative hiding spots, and prepare for a month (or more!) of holiday fun. Happy Scout Elf season!
