Our elf has hidden his goodbye inside a Christmas cracker. There is a proper snap, and a little message from his last day waiting inside. 💌
It is a lovely excuse to gather everyone for one final elf surprise.
This elf leaving idea turns a farewell note into a cracker the family can pull together.
What you’ll need:
- One official Elf on the Shelf doll (paid link)
- A make-your-own Christmas cracker kit with snaps included (paid link)
- Paper and a pen for the elf’s goodbye message
Setup:
Write a short farewell note and roll it loosely so it fits inside the cracker. Try something personal about a moment your family enjoyed, followed by “See you next December”.
Assemble one cracker from the kit, fitting the included snap as its instructions show. Add the rolled message to the centre before closing it, along with the paper hat and joke if you like. Finish the ends with the kit’s ribbon ties and add a little “A goodbye from your elf” tag.
Sit your elf with his back supported and rest the finished cracker across his lap or beside him. On the last morning, pull it together and find his message after the snap. The children can write a reply to leave beside him before he travels home.
Make it cheaply:
Use an unused cracker left over from Christmas. Gently loosen one end, slip the goodbye note into its centre without disturbing the snap, and tie it closed again. You still get the bang and the surprise. If you prefer a completely free quiet version, wrap a clean cardboard tube in spare gift paper and tuck the note inside; that version opens by untying an end and has no snap.
Browse more elf goodbye and leaving ideas for your next scene.
