If your family already has a Scout Elf who lands in a new spot each December, you will know how much excitement a North Pole visitor can bring. But you may also have seen Elf Pets® and wondered what they are, how their magic works and whether they are simply another type of elf.
Elf Pets are not elves. They are Santa’s official, adoptable animal helpers from the North Pole, and each one has an important Christmas mission. They are also cuddly, year-round companions children can hold, love and include in imaginative play.
From the Reindeer who helps Santa’s sleigh fly to the Arctic Fox cub who prepares rooftops for his arrival, here is everything UK families need to know about these magical friends.
What are Elf Pets? Elf Pets are magical North Pole animals sent by Santa to help keep Christmas spirit strong. There are three: the Elf Pets Reindeer, Arctic Fox and Saint Bernard. Each comes with a huggable companion, an illustrated storybook and an official adoption certificate explaining its special mission.
What Are Elf Pets?
Elf Pets are Santa’s furry North Pole helpers and part of the wider Santaverse®. They help children understand some of the North Pole’s biggest mysteries, including how Santa’s sleigh flies, how Christmas magic stays strong and how Santa safely reaches homes around the world.
Every Elf Pets box set includes a soft animal companion, a beautifully illustrated hardback storybook and an adoption certificate. The story introduces the pet’s mission and explains how children’s love, hope, faith and kindness help Santa prepare for Christmas Eve.
Meet Santa’s Three Elf Pets
- Elf Pets Reindeer gather children’s love and Christmas spirit to help power Santa’s sleigh.
- Elf Pets Arctic Fox use the hope and belief of children to create magical snow, helping Santa’s sleigh land softly on rooftops.
- Elf Pets Saint Bernard collect the strength of children’s faith, goodwill and kind deeds to help keep Christmas magic strong.
How Are Elf Pets Different from Scout Elves?
This is one of the first questions many families ask, and the difference is simple.
A Scout Elf™ is part of The Elf on the Shelf® Christmas tradition. Scout Elves visit during the Christmas season, fly to the North Pole each night and surprise their families from a new landing spot the following morning. Once named, Scout Elves should not be touched because doing so may affect their Christmas magic.
Elf Pets have a different role. They do not fly to the North Pole each night and they are designed to be hugged, cuddled and included in everyday play. That affection is part of their mission, helping them gather the love, hope, faith and goodwill Santa needs for Christmas Eve.
Scout Elves
- Visit during the Christmas season
- Fly to the North Pole each night
- Land in a new spot each morning
- Should not be touched once named
Elf Pets
- Can stay with families all year
- Do not fly away each night
- Are made for gentle hugs and play
- Each has a special mission for Santa
Meet the Three Elf Pets
Each North Pole pal has a different magical assignment, but all three rely on children to help keep Christmas spirit glowing.
Powered by love
Elf Pets® Reindeer
The Elf Pets Reindeer wears a golden heart charm around its neck. When children adopt, hug and care for their reindeer, their love helps fill this special charm with Christmas spirit.
On Christmas Eve, that magic helps the little reindeer grow to full size so it can join Santa’s team and help pull his sleigh. After the Christmas Eve journey is complete, the reindeer can return home to remain a cuddly family companion throughout the year.
Families can learn more about this special mission on the Elf Pets Reindeer tradition page.
Guided by hope
Elf Pets® Arctic Fox
Elf Pets Arctic Fox cubs wear a magical snow globe around their necks. The hope and belief shared by children help fill their globes with North Pole magic.
On Christmas Eve, the fox cubs use this magic to dust rooftops with soft, sparkling snow. This gives Santa’s sleigh a safe and gentle place to land while he delivers presents around the world.
Their story celebrates the quiet power of hope and reminds children that even a tiny spark of belief can help create something extraordinary.
Strengthened by faith and kindness
Elf Pets® Saint Bernard
Elf Pets Saint Bernard pups can be recognised by the heart-shaped marking on their right ear and the magical barrel around their neck.
When children complete kind deeds, they create faith, goodwill and Christmas spirit. The Saint Bernard gathers this special energy and stores it in the golden heart charm on its barrel, helping keep the North Pole’s Christmas magic strong.
This makes the Saint Bernard a lovely companion for families who want to encourage kindness, thoughtful behaviour and helping others throughout the year.
Can Elf Pets Stay All Year?
Yes. Unlike Scout Elves, Elf Pets do not have to return to the North Pole when Christmas ends. Their missions depend on spending time with children and gathering the love, hope, faith and kindness created by family life throughout the year.
Your Elf Pet can therefore stay through spring walks, summer holidays, autumn afternoons and the next Christmas countdown. They might join the school run, travel on a family holiday, sit beside a child at bedtime or become part of imaginative games at home.
Learn more in our guide to why Elf Pets can stay with families all year, then explore these activities to enjoy with Elf Pets.
How Do You Adopt an Elf Pet?
Elf Pets come from Santa. Some are sent directly from the North Pole, while others are adopted from official Santa-approved Adoption Centres in trusted UK shops or through the official online store.
When your Elf Pet arrives, read the storybook together to discover its North Pole mission, then choose a name as a family. You can make the adoption official through the North Pole Registry, where families can create a personalised adoption certificate and letter from Santa.
A genuine Elf Pets box set includes the official storybook, a huggable pet and an adoption certificate. Look for these details when adopting to make sure your new companion is one of Santa’s official North Pole helpers.
Caring for Your Elf Pet
Elf Pets are designed for gentle cuddles and imaginative play. Keep them away from open flames, hot surfaces, water, household chemicals, sharp objects and exposed bulbs.
When taking an Elf Pet on a day out or family holiday, pack it somewhere clean and secure. Avoid placing it near roads, cooking equipment, deep water or other potentially unsafe areas.
A Magical Companion for Every Season
Scout Elves bring the excitement of the Christmas countdown. Elf Pets bring a cuddly connection to the North Pole that children can hold onto throughout the year.
Whether your family chooses a Reindeer powered by love, an Arctic Fox guided by hope or a Saint Bernard strengthened by faith and kindness, each Elf Pet offers a new way to explore Santa’s magical world together.
Still curious? Find more answers in our guide to the most commonly asked Elf Pets questions.