Your Scout Elf might be the star of the morning scramble, during December, to find where they’ve landed, but they don’t keep Christmas magic strong on their own.

They’re part of a much bigger world of magic called the Santaverse, full of characters who each have a job to do for Santa.

If you’ve ever wondered who all these characters are, how they’re different, and how they help your Scout Elf, this guide clears it up.

Who are the Santaverse^™ characters?

The Santaverse^™ is the magical storyworld behind The Elf on the Shelf®. It’s home to Santa’s official Scout Elves and their friends: Elf Pets®, Elf Mates®, Extraordinary Noorah™, the SnoBiggie® yetis, the tiny Frost Pips and the playful Bogies. Each one plays a part in keeping Christmas Spirit strong so Santa’s mission succeeds.

The key thing to know is that they don’t all do the same job. Some report to Santa each night. Some stay all year for cuddles. Some are there to spark kindness. Here’s how they compare at a glance.

Swipe through the Santaverse characters to discover them all!

The Elf on the Shelf® Scout Elf: the heart of the tradition

Everything starts here. The Scout Elf is Santa’s official reporter, sent from the North Pole to watch over your family’s Christmas cheer.

By day they find a cosy spot to perch and watch; by night they fly back to Santa to tell him all the kind things they’ve seen, then return by morning, usually in a brand-new hiding place.

A few things make the Scout Elf one of a kind. They always wear their red suit with a pointed white collar and a red hat with white trim. They never speak, because their job is to watch and listen.

And because they are filled with magic, they shouldn’t be touched once they’ve been adopted and named. A little cinnamon, a quick “sorry” note or a sing-along is all it takes to top up their magic if hands accidentally get involved.

This is the difference that matters most: the Scout Elf is the only character who flies to and from the North Pole each night. Their friends help in other ways.

Start the tradition with an official Scout Elf adoption.

Elf Pets®: Santa’s cuddly helpers all year round

Here’s where families often have questions. If the Scout Elf can’t be touched, what about the soft, snuggly ones?

That’s where Elf Pets come in. Friends of the Scout Elves, Elf Pets are made to be hugged, cuddled and loved, and unlike the Scout Elf, they stay with your family all year.

They don’t fly back to the North Pole each night. Instead, they keep Christmas Spirit strong by warming hearts with faith, hope and love every single day.

As children shower them with love, that love travels back to Santa and helps keep him on schedule for the big night.

There are three Elf Pets, and each has a special mission.

Elf Pets® Reindeer

Cared for all year by their families and powered by children’s love, the Elf Pets Reindeer help lift Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve.

Every set arrives with the Elf Pets: A Reindeer Tradition storybook and a golden heart charm. You can register your reindeer in the Reindeer Registry.

Elf Pets® Arctic Fox

The Elf Pets Arctic Fox cubs dust rooftops with magical snow on Christmas Eve, giving Santa a soft landing, boosted by the belief of hopeful children.

Their set includes the Elf Pets: An Arctic Fox Tradition storybook and a snow globe with glow-in-the-dark snow. Welcome your cub with the Arctic Fox Registry.

Elf Pets® Saint Bernard

The Elf Pets Saint Bernard gathers the strength of children’s faith and goodwill all year, keeping Christmas magic strong.

The set comes with the Elf Pets: A Saint Bernard Tradition storybook and a barrel featuring a golden heart charm. Register your pup with the Saint Bernard Registry.

Meet all three on the Elf Pets page.

Elf Mates®: Santa’s champions of kindness

If Elf Pets are about cuddles, Elf Mates® are about doing good. These special elves come from the arctic forest and have helped Santa for thousands of years as chefs, cobblers and toy makers.

Like Elf Pets, they’re huggable and stay all year, and they don’t report to the North Pole nightly. Their mission is to inspire kindness and good deeds through hands-on, imaginative play.

Each one carries a gentle lesson that lands without ever feeling like a lecture:

• The Elf Mates Chef stirs up good cheer by encouraging sharing, whether that’s lending a hand in the kitchen, cutting down on food waste or popping something in the local food bank trolley.
• The Elf Mates Cobbler asks us to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes, inspiring children to share warmth by donating shoes, coats and essentials to those who need them.
• The Elf Mates Toy Maker champions the power of play, nudging children to make or share a gift for someone less fortunate, or to pass on toys they’ve grown out of.

Because they’re an easy, affordable way into the Santaverse, Elf Mates are a lovely first step for younger children or a kind-hearted companion to your Scout Elf.

Discover the trio on the Elf Mates page.

Extraordinary Noorah™: Santa’s magical arctic fox

Extraordinary Noorah™ is one of the most-loved characters in the Santaverse, and also the most misunderstood. Let’s settle the most common question straight away: Noorah is not an Elf Pet.

Noorah is one of Santa’s oldest friends, a magical arctic fox whose story began on the very first Christmas night when a comet fell to the North Pole.

She was given the extraordinary gifts of pausing time and creating magical snow, and with a swish of her remarkable tail she sparks the great glow of the northern lights. Santa’s flight around the world simply wouldn’t be possible without her.

While Elf Pets Arctic Fox cubs can make magical snow with the help of children everywhere, Noorah can do it all on her own. She’s a brilliant story-led way to deepen the magic, and she stars in her own animated special and book.

Read her story on the Extraordinary Noorah page.

More friends from the Santaverse: SnoBiggie, Frost Pips and the Bogies

The world keeps growing, and a few more characters round out the cast.

SnoBiggie® yetis were once fearsome creatures from a mountainous corner of the North Pole, until the power of play melted their hearts.

Now they’re Santa’s official toy testers, joyfully smashing, crashing and bashing toys to make sure they’re safe and fun. Their smallest member, Little Grunt, is the most donut-loving, snowball-throwing, crooked-grinning yeti you’ll ever meet.

Frost Pips are Santa’s official elf babies, the smallest and youngest of all the North Pole elves. They’re found nestled inside the North Pole’s icy frost flowers, and with enough love and care, they may one day grow into full Scout Elf helpers themselves.

The Bogies are clever, furry charmers from the enchanted forests around the North Pole, where they tuck themselves into cosy hidey-hole homes. Known as forever friends, they’re loyal, expressive and full of playful North Pole energy, so much so that even Santa has a devoted Bogie pal.

How the Santaverse characters help the Scout Elf

So how does it all fit together? Think of the Scout Elf as the team captain and the rest of the Santaverse as the squad, each with a role that keeps Christmas Spirit strong.

The Scout Elf gathers and reports the cheer. Elf Pets store up love and goodwill so Santa stays on schedule, lift the sleigh and ready the rooftops. Elf Mates grow the Nice List by turning everyday kindness into action.

Noorah protects the sleigh and lights the way. And the newer friends, from toy-testing SnoBiggies to the tiny Frost Pips, keep the wonder of the North Pole alive all year.

Sometimes Elf Pets and Elf Mates even team up with the Scout Elves to set up a playful scene or leave a sweet treat behind.

Together, they prove that the magic of Christmas is bigger than one elf, and that there’s something for every family to discover.

Which character should your family start with?

There’s no wrong answer, but here’s a simple way to decide the first step of your Santaverse journey:

• You want year-round cuddles: an Elf Pets companion is made for hugging and stays all year.
• You want to nurture kindness: Elf Mates turn good deeds into easy, joyful play.
• You want more story and wonder: Extraordinary Noorah brings rich, screen-and-page magic.
• You want a gentle first step: Elf Mates are an affordable, accessible entry into the Santaverse.

Look for the official keepsake box and storybook every time, so you know your character has come straight from Santa.

Ready to grow your North Pole family? Shop the full collection.

Frequently asked questions

What are the characters in The Santaverse? The Santaverse includes the Scout Elf, Elf Pets®, Elf Mates®, Extraordinary Noorah™, the SnoBiggie® yetis, the Frost Pips and the Bogies. Each helps Santa in their own way.

What’s the difference between Elf Pets and Elf Mates? Elf Pets are cuddly companions that keep Christmas Spirit strong with faith, hope and love. Elf Mates inspire kindness and good deeds through play. Both can be hugged and both stay all year, unlike the Scout Elf.

Do Elf Pets report to Santa like Scout Elves? No. Only the Scout Elf flies to the North Pole each night to report. Elf Pets stay with the family year-round and help in other ways.

Can you touch Elf Pets and Elf Mates? Yes. Unlike the Scout Elf, whose magic is fragile, Elf Pets and Elf Mates are made for hugging and hands-on play.

Is Noorah an Elf Pet? No. Noorah is one of Santa’s oldest friends, a magical arctic fox who sparks the northern lights and protects Santa’s sleigh. She is not an Elf Pets character.

Which Santaverse character should we add after our Scout Elf? It depends on your family. Choose an Elf Pets companion for year-round cuddles, an Elf Mates helper for kindness-led play, or Extraordinary Noorah for story and wonder.

Are all these characters official? Yes. Look for the official keepsake box and storybook to be sure your character has come straight from Santa and the North Pole.