From their iconic red-and-white suits to their secret nightly flights back to the North Pole, Santa’s Scout Elves have captured the imagination of families across the UK. But how much do you really know about these magical little helpers?
Whether your family has been welcoming The Elf on the Shelf® for years or you’re just beginning the tradition, here are ten fun facts that reveal even more about Santa’s official Scout Elves.
The most popular Scout Elf name is… Buddy!
Every Scout Elf is unique, right down to their name! Since Santa first began sending his Scout Elves to families in 2005, millions of children have lovingly chosen names for their new festive friend.
Across the UK, Buddy remains one of the most popular picks, perhaps inspired by everyone’s favourite Christmas film hero. What’s your Elf’s name? You can find more naming inspiration in our blog section here.
They always wear Santa-approved uniforms
Every official Scout Elf wears the same red suit, white collar and pointed red hat with white trim, no stripes, belts or boots in sight! This uniform means they are Santa’s one and only official Scout Elves, recognised by families around the world.
If your Elf matches this description, you can be sure they’ve come straight from the North Pole via one of Santa’s Official Adoption Centres.
Scout Elves can understand more than 6,000 languages
Santa’s North Pole team is wonderfully multilingual! Because Scout Elves visit families all over the world, they’ve learned to understand more than 6,000 different languages, including plenty of British accents.
Whether your family says “Father Christmas” or “Papa Noel”, your Elf understands every festive whisper.
They travel thousands of miles each night
Each evening, when families are fast asleep, Scout Elves use Christmas magic to fly back to the North Pole and report to Santa. Then, before sunrise, they return home, often landing in a brand-new hiding spot!
On average, they travel more than 4,000 miles every night to complete their important mission.
Flight training is serious business
Before Scout Elf Return Week™ begins each November, Santa puts his Scout Elves through an arctic wind simulator to make sure their flight skills are in top shape.
They practise flying through icy gusts stronger than the North Sea wind on a frosty morning, all so they can land safely in homes across the country.
They can sit still for an impressively long time
One of a Scout Elf’s most important jobs is to watch and listen, quietly! To prepare for this, the elves take part in a North Pole contest to see who can stay still the longest.
The record? A remarkable 16 days without moving or blinking. No wonder they’re so good at finding the perfect perch on your bookshelf, mantel or Christmas tree.
They’re the speediest elves in the North Pole
Don’t be fooled by their small size, Scout Elves are incredibly fast! They can soar to the top of the tallest North Pole pine in under five seconds.
That speed helps them complete their nightly journeys and ensures every child’s report reaches Santa in time for Christmas morning.
Snowball fights are serious sport at the North Pole
At the North Pole, the annual Scout Elf snowball tournament is one of Santa’s favourite spectacles. When he’s watching, he makes sure to duck, these elves can throw up to four snowballs per second!
Back at home, your Elf may bring a little of that playful spirit to your living room (but don’t worry, they’ll never make a big mess). For more playful setup ideas, explore our Elf Ideas collection.
They’re as old as Christmas itself
Although no one knows exactly how old they are, it’s said that Scout Elves have been helping Father Christmas since the very first Christmas Eve.
That makes them over 1,000 years old! Despite their age, they keep their childlike wonder, and a strong sense of humour, alive every single year.
They help load Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve
When Christmas Eve arrives, Scout Elves lend Santa a helping hand (and a touch of magic) as he prepares his sleigh. Working in a perfectly timed assembly line, they help fill it with presents for children around the world.
They’re so quick, they can load the entire sleigh in under three hours, just enough time for a well-earned mug of hot cocoa before take-off!
Want to learn more about your Scout Elf?
If your family can’t wait for your Scout Elf’s arrival, take a look at our festive Scout Elf Return Week™ guide to prepare for the big day. You can also explore our most popular Elf Do’s & Don’ts to keep the magic alive all season long.
And remember: Santa’s official Scout Elves are always kind, always clever, and always Santa-approved. Discover more stories, ideas and inspiration on our official UK blog, where Christmas magic lives all year round.