As the twinkle lights soften and Christmas Day draws near, Scout Elves everywhere begin preparing for their journey back to the North Pole. Saying goodbye can feel bittersweet; after all, your elf has become part of your family’s morning routine, your laughter, and your Christmas magic.
But just as their arrival brings excitement, their farewell can be filled with meaning and joy too. These easy Elf on the Shelf goodbye ideas help your Scout Elf leave in a way that feels warm, memorable and full of festive spirit. Whether they choose a grand send-off, a cosy celebration or one final giggle, your elf’s last morning can be just as magical as their first.
Elf Carrier Blastoff
If your Scout Elf loves adventure, they may say goodbye with a dramatic blastoff. Using the official printable, your elf can transform the Scout Elf Carrier into a rocket ready to launch back to the North Pole. A puff of cotton-ball “smoke” or a handwritten note saying “Mission accomplished” makes this farewell feel extra special.
This goodbye idea mixes imagination with excitement, giving children a joyful discovery on Christmas Eve morning. It turns a difficult farewell into a celebration of adventure and reminds families that every ending can be the beginning of something magical.
Tootles
Your Scout Elf may prefer a silly goodbye. In this playful farewell, your elf drifts through the air leaving behind a fluffy white “Tootles” message, as if powered by a puff of elf gas. It is their way of saying “see you later” with a wink and a whoosh.
This humorous moment transforms the sadness of goodbye into laughter. You might find your elf mid-flight over the mantel, near the tree or gliding past the stockings on their way home to the North Pole.
Scout Elves know the best goodbyes are the ones that leave families smiling.
Leaving a Couple of Friends Behind
Scout Elves understand that goodbyes can be hard, but Santa needs them at the North Pole to help prepare for the year ahead. Thankfully, Elf Mates are kind, playable companions who can stay behind all year long to inspire imagination and everyday goodwill.
Your Scout Elf may appear on Christmas Eve alongside a couple of Elf Mates friends, reassuring children that although they must fly home, these friendly pals will remain for hands-on play, storytelling and kindness.
A small note might say, “I’ll be back next Christmas, but my friends will keep you smiling until then.”
It is a comforting idea for little ones who find farewells emotional, reminding them that Christmas Spirit carries on long after the elf has gone.
Game Night Goodbye
For elves who enjoy family time, a Game Night Goodbye is the perfect send-off. Your Scout Elf might set up a family game from the Elf Ideas Fun & Games Kit, complete with pieces laid out and a note that says, “One last game before I go.”
It is a lovely, light-hearted reminder of what matters most: spending time together. Children will imagine their elf watching proudly as they roll the dice, cheer each other on and make one last festive memory.
Making Goodbyes Sweet (Not Sad)
Scout Elves love the joy of Christmas, and they hope families feel that joy even after they have flown home. Here are a few thoughtful ways to make parting a little easier:
- Share memories together by looking back at photos or creating a “North Pole Memory Journal”.
- Make a family farewell tradition, whether that is a favourite song, a Christmas biscuit or a candle lit for safe travels.
- Encourage children to draw a picture or write a letter for their elf to take back to Santa.
Goodbyes may be emotional, but in the Scout Elf world, they are really just “see you soon”.
From Farewell to Forever Magic
Whether your Scout Elf leaves in a rocket, with a burst of giggles or with a quiet, thoughtful goodbye, these Elf on the Shelf departure ideas help families wrap up the season with heart and humour.
It is perfectly fine if there are a few tears; they simply mean the magic felt real. Every laugh, every discovery and every whispered goodnight has created more Christmas Spirit—the very thing that brings your elf back next year.
As your elf takes flight, hold onto the joy and remember: Christmas magic does not end when your Scout Elf goes home. It simply waits for its next grand arrival.
Find even more Scout Elf departure ideas and easy goodbye inspiration in our Elf on the Shelf blog.