Every year, the holidays seem to sneak up on us, and every year, I find myself scrambling to make the season feel a little more magical — without piling on another obligation. But a few years ago, I tried something different. I brought in an elf! Not the official "on the shelf" type, but a sweet homemade elf I found at a garage sale for a few bucks. And along with our elf’s arrival, I started a tradition that’s now become our favorite part of his visit — a personalized letter straight from the North Pole, just for my kids.
Fill out this form to get a FREE personalized elf letter for your kids!
Our elf appears the morning after Thanksgiving with his special letter in hand, officially kicking off the holiday season. He sticks around until Christmas Eve, moving each night to a new spot in the house. Even though my kids are getting older, they still wake up with excitement to find out where he’s hiding. It’s a small touch of magic that lights up our holiday mornings.
Why I Chose a Simple Elf Tradition
At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit to an elf, but it turned out it wasn’t about what the elf was doing. It was about the joy of looking for him. The kids’ excitement each morning was worth every moment. We’ve all seen those parents who go all out with elaborate elf setups and funny antics (and if that’s you — go you!). I take a much lazier approach. For me, the elf just moves to a new spot each day, like from the mantle to a perch in the tree or high up on a kitchen cabinet. Simple and low-stress.
But there is one little tradition I love adding to our elf’s arrival: A personalized letter from our elf to my kids. It’s a sweet way to kick off the season, and the kids absolutely love it. This year, I’m sharing a version of that letter with you! Just fill out the form here, and you’ll receive a personalized letter straight to your email. All you need to do is sign your elf’s name at the bottom and leave it with your elf on their first day at your house.
How to Start This Simple Elf Tradition
If you’re on the fence about adding an elf to your holiday mix, here’s a quick and easy way to make it work:
1. Get Your Free Personalized Elf Letter: Fill out this form and you’ll receive a cute, custom letter from your elf introducing themself to your kids. It’s an easy way to start the season with a little surprise that feels magical, but takes only minutes to do.
2. Let the Elf Do Its Thing: Each night, just move your elf to a new spot. No big setups needed, unless you want to! Sometimes our elf has a little note or prop to make the kids giggle, but honestly, just the act of moving is enough to keep the magic going.
3. Enjoy Those Little Moments: This elf tradition is a small gesture with a big impact. Seeing the kids’ faces light up each morning and knowing they have this little spark of magic to look forward to makes every day feel special.
So, if you’re looking for an easy holiday tradition that will bring joy without adding to your seasonal stress, my advice? Give the elf a try. It’s low-key, requires minimal effort, and best of all, creates sweet moments that your kids will cherish. And if you’re anything like me, it’s those little moments that make the holiday season feel truly magical.
