The Christmas countdown officially begins…
👩🦰 What They Did
They’re baaack!
Elvis and Toffee arrived fresh from the North Pole with their tiny suitcases in tow, ready to kick off another December of festive mischief.
Waiting beside them were their favourite holiday essentials — the Elf on the Shelf storybook, their yearly letter, and the advent calendars that mark the start of the Christmas countdown.
Their note was a gentle reminder to the boys about what the elves are really here for: spreading cheer, keeping the Christmas spirit alive, and reporting back to the North Pole with all the good deeds (and maybe a few cheeky giggles too).
Day one always feels a little magical — like the official opening scene of the Christmas season.
🎬 Behind the Scenes
This setup is simple but magical — exactly how I love to begin December.
The elves sit front and centre with their little luggage beside them, the arrival letter placed right in front so it’s the first thing the boys see in the morning.
Behind them, the advent calendars lean against the wall, ready for the daily countdown to begin. A small string of fairy lights pulls everything together, adding just enough glow to make that early morning discovery feel extra special.
Nothing over the top.
Just cosy, festive, and full of anticipation.
💡 Recreate It at Home
This classic “arrival day” setup is really easy to recreate.
✨ Here’s what I used:
- Mini suitcases & boarding passes — from Easy Elf Ideas on Etsy
- Elf yearly letter — designed in Canva so I can tweak it each year
- Advent calendars — any festive ones will do
- Fairy lights — borrowed straight from the Christmas decorations box
Place the elves somewhere visible, add the letter and a few festive props, and let the morning excitement do the rest.
Sometimes the simplest setups create the biggest smiles.
✨ Elf Hack of the Day
Keep a small zip-lock bag labelled “Elf Arrivals.”
Store little props like the arrival letter, mini luggage, or signs inside. Future-you will be incredibly grateful when midnight hits and the elves need to magically appear again without a frantic house search.
🎁 Join In the Fun!
How do your elves make their grand entrance each year?
Do they arrive quietly with letters and treats… or crash into December in a whirlwind of chaos?
💬 I’d love to hear your elf arrival ideas — share them in the comments below and let’s inspire each other with new ways to start the season.
Between the Pages & Pixels 