The Unforgettable Magic of Letters from Elves…

Few things capture the enchantment of Christmas quite like a tiny, officially stamped letter arriving in the mail all the way from the North Pole. Letters from elves are more than just notes; they are a direct line to Santa and his helpers, transforming a child’s December into a magical, unforgettable adventure.

If you’re looking to bring the full magic of Christmas to your home, understanding the world of letters from elves is key. These precious little illustrated notes provide the perfect start for your annual Christmas traditions, from announcing your elf’s arrival to delivering daily updates and, of course, the farewell on Christmas Eve.

This in-depth guide will explore the different types of elf letters, refill kits and personalised letters, explain why they are a cherished family tradition, and show how you can use them to make sure this is your most memorable December yet!

Why Letters From Elves Are the Perfect Christmas Tradition

The tradition of a family elf, like our own beloved Pip McJingles, is about interaction and anticipation. Letters from elves deepen this interaction, offering unique benefits that an elf toy alone simply can't match:

Building Daily Excitement and Wonder

Instead of just finding your elf in a new, funny spot, a daily letter adds a story element, the whole family can enjoy. Children wake up wondering, ‘What is the news from the North Pole today?’ Daily advent letters from elves create easy, stress free, fun and excitement, building sense of anticipation that lasts all month long.

Encouraging Good Behaviour

Elves are Santa’s eyes and ears. An official-looking letter is an incredibly effective, gentle way to offer praise, encouragement, or even a playful 'warning' (the legendary Nice List Reminder!) when needed. A personalised card from your elf congratulating them on a kind act is far more impactful than a simple reminder from a parent.

Creating Lasting Childhood Memories

These letters are tangible keepsakes. A stack of beautifully printed, illustrated letters from elves forms a magical archive that children will cherish and look back on for years to come. They are a record of your family's Christmas story. We have many customers collecting our letters and many reviews explaining that children talk about their letters and friends at the North Pole all year round!

The Journey of Elf Mail: Different Types of Elf Letters

The journey of an elf (and the corresponding elf letters) typically follows a three part structure throughout December.

1 - The Arrival Letter.

If you’re getting your elf for the first time, you may appreciate our Refill Kit, which includes the arrival letter (amongst may other handy items!)

The first, and perhaps most exciting, piece of North Pole post is their very first Elf Arrival Letter.

The Purpose: This letter officially announces that your family elf has arrived for the season. It’s an essential welcome note to kick off the festive fun, including a simple explanation that elf is staying with you and likes to see kindness, as well as have a little fun! This sets the stage for the month.

The Reveal: The arrival letter could be delivered in a show-stopping way. Have your elf place it next to an advent calendar, a fresh jar of hot chocolate, or a welcome North Pole breakfast.

2 - Daily Advent Elf Letters - News from the North Pole

This is the core of the elf letter tradition and is where our high-quality advent calendar of elf letters truly shines.

What They Are: A daily series of numbered envelopes, each containing a new story, update, or activity idea from the North Pole. We have brand new stories and illustrations every year making this a great family tradition.

Stress-free: These elf letters take the pressure off parents. Instead of having to invent a new elf scenario every night, the letter provides the daily story and momentum. They are truly magical and funny – we know from our reviews that the grown-ups enjoy these as much as the children!

We have a range Elf Letter Advent Calendar options to suit different families or classrooms:

Standard non personalised letters – the most affordable option, which is totally magical but is not personally addressed to your family. The envelopes are numbered, the letters have a small number on the reverse and you can leave these out each day for your children. You only need one set per family.

24 day personalised advent letters – these are totally personalised to your child or children, you can enter sibling names – you only need to order one set per family. The envelopes are personalised, as well as the letters and you can also include the town where your children live and mention other people at home.

 A very magical experience!

12 day personalised letters – if you want to start later in the month, or can’t manage a letter every single day, our half set of advent letters is perfect. Fully personalised and still 100% magical, these letters can be read any days of December as long as the last one is read on Christmas Eve.

Each set includes unique, beautifully illustrated letters from Pip McJingles, telling an unfolding tale of life at the North Pole. Characters are included each year, evolving the stories and making this a wonderful childhood tradition they will never forget.

This consistent, engaging content is the gold standard for daily letters from elves.

3. The Goodbye Letter – "We have to go back to the North Pole for a while!"

The most poignant of all is the Elf Goodbye Letter. As part of our Refill Kit, we also include a goodbye letter from your Elf.

The Purpose: Delivered on Christmas Eve, this farewell note is the elf’s way of saying thank you for the fun, confirming the child is on the Nice List, and explaining that they must return to the North Pole to help Santa for another year.

Making it Meaningful: A good goodbye letter reassures the child, encourages them to keep up the good work, and leaves a final message of Christmas joy. It helps ease the transition from the magical month back to the everyday. Our Refill Kit also includes a generic Nice List Certificate, or if you want to add extra magic, you can order a personalised Nice List, that includes your child’s name and their elf name.

Special Occasion Letters from Elves

Beyond the main journey, magical mail can arrive for specific, high-impact moments:

Warning Cards: An official, North Pole-stamped "Nice List Warning" for when behaviour needs a gentle adjustment. Our Refill Kit includes 2 warning cards – we hope you don’t need to use more than that!

Elf Birthday Cards: Who would your child love to hear from on their birthday – their elf of course! A personalised card from the elf makes it extra special.

Encouragement Notes: A little note left on a bad day to remind them how brilliant they are. Our Refill Kit contains a range of mini report cards congratulating children on how brilliant there are.

Personalised Greeting Cards: Moved house, been unwell, passed a test – or just because. Our personalised Elf Greeting Cards can be made bespoke with any message that you’d like to send from elf to your child.

Why Choose a Premium Set of Letters from Elves?

For busy parents, a professionally created set of personalised elf letters offers maximum magic with minimum effort. Our carefully designed elf letters include:

Numbered Envelopes / Numbered Letters:

To ensure you hide the correct letter each day. Our letters have a tiny number on the back and a numbered envelope so you can keep them all in order.

Unique Storytelling:

Each letter delivers a daily dose of North Pole news, not just a generic "be good” message. We have lightly included a message that elves like to see kindness and Christmas Spirit, but the main theme of our letters is about fun, mischief and adventure at the North Pole.

High-Quality Design and Detail: Our letters include detailed illustrations and are presented in authentic envelopes with their names printed and personalised details weaved into the stories.

Top Tips for Magical Elf Mail Delivery

The final touch in the letters from elves tradition is the delivery itself. Here’s a few ideas to make finding the daily elf mail a moment of pure wonder:

Creative Hiding Spots: Don't just leave it on the mantle…

Try taped to the cereal box.

Sticking out of a shoe or slipper.

Tied with string on the Christmas tree.

Delivered via a tiny 'zip line' from a ceiling light.

Pair the Letter with a Scene: Have the letter explain the elf's mischief.

For example, a letter talking about a snowstorm at the North Pole is found next to the elf who has made a "snow angel" out of flour on the kitchen counter. We have a magic planner each year on our blog if you’d like an insight into what’s happening in each daily letter.

The Post-Box Tradition: If you don't have a daily elf scene, consider setting up a small, dedicated "North Pole Post Box" where the letters appear each morning.

Start Your Magical Tradition Today!

Letters from elves are the heart of the modern Christmas countdown. They deliver a story, excitement, and a little bit of magic into every morning of December.

Ready to begin the ultimate magical experience for your children this Christmas?

Skip the stress of daily planning and invest in a tradition that your family will treasure forever.

Explore Our Award-Winning Elf Letters Advent Calendar Now!